Raising Arizona
Video: Marti Yates discusses the benefits of infant massage and gives a short demonstration for Raising Arizona Kids. (watch here)
Regularly providing an infant with the loving touch of massage benefits not just the infant, but the caregiver as well. Through touch, the infant will learn the comfort of being loved and the caregiver will feel the deepening of his/her bond with the baby. Below we outline some of the benefits of massage for both the infant and the caregiver. For the infant...
...Promotes bonding with caregiver(s)
...Lowers cortisol (stress hormone) levels
...Raises serotonin and oxytocin ('cuddle' hormone) levels
...Enhances digestion and absorption of nutrients
...Strengthens immune system
...Helps relieve discomfort from teething, gas, colic and constipation
...Improves sensory awareness
...Encourages deeper, sounder sleep
...Develops nervous system
For the caregiver...
...Promotes bonding and attachment
...Provides a positive way for male caregivers to interact with the newborn
...Alleviates stress
...Increases parents' self-esteem by reinforcing and enhancing their skills as parents
...Raises levels of prolactin, the 'nurturing' hormone, which also aids in lactation
...Reduces risk of post-partum depression
...Encourages development of pre-verbal communication between caregivers and infant
...Gives parents a tool for understanding their infant's unique rhythms and patterns
