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By Martine Divera, RN, CMT, CIMI
Baby and Child Massage (also called Infant and Pediatric Massage) is an ancient tradition that has been handed down through the ages, a natural instinctual form of parenting in many cultures. For centuries people have known that touch is the most elementary component of communication and the primary means of learning throughout infancy and well into childhood.
The effect of touch and massage therapy created an interest from scientists for the first time in 1982 and since the founding of the Touch Research Institute in 1992, a center devoted solely to the study of touch and its application in science and medicine, extensive research regarding touch has been conducted.
This research has shown that the first sensory input in life comes from touch while a baby is still in the womb. At the time of birth the sense of touch is the most developed of all senses (compared to hearing, sight, smell and taste). So communicating through touch is the most natural form of communication from the day of birth and into childhood.
The benefits of Baby and Child Massage can be divided into physiological and emotional benefits. Research has proven that the following physiological effects can occur through massage:
- Faster weight gain
Studies have shown that babies (especially premature babies) gain weight faster with regular massage.
- Improvement of sensory awareness
Massage strokes help inform for example the child's brain about the many different qualities of his or her skin, such as temperature, flexibility and thickness. The baby also receives information about his or her body's position in space, its muscle tension, its movements, and its relationship to other people and objects in the environment.
- Enhanced neurological development
The most critical periods of brain growth are complete by age 7. Early sensory experience can have a profound impact on how the brain develops/grows. Experiments on animals show that animals reared as pets have heavier and thicker brains with 25% more receptors, compared to animals reared in isolation.
- Improved respiration
Massage encourages full and effortless breathing. Studies of children with asthma and cystic fibrosis show fewer asthma attacks and improved air flow.
- Improved circulation of blood
Blood vessels in the massaged area dilate and blood supply to the massaged area increases, as much as triples after 5 minutes of massage.
- Enhanced immune system
Touch may influence immune function through alterations in the nervous system. Studies on children with leukemia and HIV showed improved immune function after receiving a 20-minute massage twice a week for 12 weeks.
- Muscle relaxation
Babies and children have decreased muscle tension after a massage session. Studies showed reduced spasticity and improved muscular flexibility in babies with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries.
- Optimal hormone levels
Studies have shown that massage stimulates the production of food absorption hormones (and that's is probably the reason why premature babies who are massaged gain weight faster). Studies have also shown that massage at bedtime increases melatonine secretion (sleep hormone) during the night resulting in better sleep patterns. And another study showed that the blood glucose levels of diabetic children fell to normal levels after one month of receiving massage at bedtime.
- Pain relief
Massage is an effective treatment for many types of pain. A study performed at an ER department of a hospital showed that a 5-minute fingertip massage on or near the site of the child's pain significantly reduced the amount of pain they experienced. Their blood pressure and heart rates were also lowered.
And research has proven that the following emotional effects can occur through massage:
- Relief from psychological distress
Caring human touch has an extraordinary power to soothe, reassure and relieve anxiety. The need for comfort through touch is the strongest sensory need in states of distress. One study showed that 88% of the children in distress stopped crying after 5 minutes of soothing talk and touch, compared to only 12% of the children who received soothing talk alone and no touch.
- Fosters bonding and attachment between baby/child and parent/caregiver
Current and ongoing research supports that massage is an important tool, if not one of the most critical, for the bonding process. Massage promotes the development of positive interactions between parent/caregiver and child, this includes; understanding your baby's/child's cues, reciprocal respect, secure and healthy attachments, verbal and non-verbal language development and communication.
- Promotes self-esteem and respect
Massage is only performed with the child's permission. The child is encouraged to let the parent/caregiver know what he/she likes or dislikes and this is respected by the parent/caregiver.
- Builds a healthy body image/body boundaries
Body image is a "mental picture" of the child's body. This body image is central to the sense of self and self organization which is necessary for good balance, good special orientation and precision of movement. How well defined and structured a child perceives his/her body to be (body boundaries), is basic to his/her identity.
- Provides comfort and stability
Touch provides comfort and stability. It communicates caring, builds trust and affirms a (biological) connection between the child and parent/caregiver.
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