| Helping
High Risk Infants:
- Premature Babies
- Colicky Babies
- Babies with Reflux or GERD
- Babies with Sleeping Disturbances
- Infants with Cancer
- Drug Exposed “High
Risk” Infants
- Infants of Depressed Mothers
- Babies with Cerebral Palsy
Baby Samantha - Premature Baby
Premature Babies:
Studies have shown that infant massage enhances the production of food
absorption hormones in babies, hence, allowing premature infants to gain
weight and thrive. In a recent study*, preterm infants that received infant
massage gained as much as 47% more weight than the non-massaged infant
group. As well, these infants became more responsive to social stimulation
and showed better motor development, and were ultimately discharged from
the hospital 5 days earlier. When followed up on 8 months later, the massaged
baby group still performed better on scales measuring weight, overall
development, motor skills, and growth milestones. Infant Massage also
helps increases the level of Oxytocin (the “happy hormone”)
in infants, enabling preterm babies to more efficiently deal with their
pain associated with extensive needle sticks, invasive testing and possible
surgery.
Colicky Babies:
Infant Massage helps babies that experience colic to relax and become
comforted. Through gentle movements and therapeutic strokes, babies are
consoled through tactile stimulation and hormonal releases. The hormone
Oxytocin is increased, allowing the babies to experience a more calm and
passive demeanor.
- (J Pediatr
Psychol. 2003 Sep;28(6):403-11)
Baby Jennifer
Babies with Reflux
or GERD:
Therapeutic strokes designed just for babies with troublesome tummies
helps to relive gas, impaction, and reflux symptoms. Parents learn how
to be proactive in helping their babies avoid these conditions, and offer
some relief.
Baby Sarah
Babies with Sleeping Disorders:
Infant massage increases the level of Melatonin (the “sleeping hormone”)
in babies, allowing them to sleep longer and sounder. Results are seen
as early as 7 – 10 days. Babies are also observed as being able
to “self-sooth” more effectively, and seem easier to console
when becoming disorganized.
Babies with Cerebral Palsy:
In infants with cerebral palsy, the aim is to reduce stress, reduce spasticity,
prevent contractures, improve posture, improve circulation to the skin
and muscles that are unused, and provide emotional support. Massage is
appropriate and potentially very useful for persons with cerebral palsy,
as they work to maintain muscular elasticity and improve motor skills.
Additional Benefits
of Therapeutic Infant Massage:
- Enhances Vagus nerve activity
in the brain
- Helps babies respond to
immunizations better
- Boosts overall immune system
- Lowers stress hormones
(Cortisol)
- Increases the production
of Myelin sheath cells
How the Instruction
Works:
- You are the only one that
massages YOUR baby
- Instruction can be done
at your home or in the NICU
- All caregivers to the baby
are welcome to learn, (i.e., parents, grandparents, nanny’s, siblings,
etc.)
What Parents are saying about Infant Massage:
“My
daughter calms right down when I massage her feet. Also, the stomach massage
cleared up all her constipation issues.” Judith,
Mother to Jennifer
“Samantha
is so chubby now, she is 12 Lbs. and 6 oz.! I miss your class!! It is
such a special bond, taking the time to do something so wonderful for
your child. My daughter is/was a preemie, and she gained 2 Lbs. in the
first 3 weeks. She went from 4 Lbs to 6 Lbs. I believe infant massage
had a lot to do with it.” Lorena, Mother
to Samantha
“I wish
I would have known about infant massage with my first baby. It is such
an amazing bonding experience. We have made it part of Max’s bedtime
routine, and he gets so excited for his massage after his bath. I would
recommend it to any parent-to-be.” Linda,
Mother to Max
“Infant
massage not only provided me with an additional way to interact with my
son, but also helped to change him from a fussy, non-sleeper to a dream
baby.”
Kim, Mother to Isaac
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