Baby Massage by Denise

17/09/2021

💜 Relaxation 💜

The fourth category for benefits for babies is relaxation.

With Infant Massage, relaxation may be demonstrated by improved sleep patterns, (hooray!) regulation of your baby's awake, sleep and transitional states, being calm and improving their ability to calm themselves.

Massage may cause a reduction in stress levels and stress hormones and an increase in anti-stress hormones such as oxytocin and serotonin, and feel good hormones such as endorphins and dopamine ❤️

Babies enjoy this positive time out and may be less hyperactive and less hypersensitive. Massage may normalise muscle tone and increase flexibility.

All in all, a truly relaxing experience!

30/05/2021

The ritual of permission
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By always beginning massage with the ritual of asking permission, and learning to understand your baby's cues, we can respond respectfully depending on their answer. This way your baby learns empathy, healthy respectful touch and that they are valued. Babies are imitators and this mutual understanding of worth goes a long way. ⁣
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The more we ask the question, the more it is understood and your baby can answer yes or no to massage time. There is safety in respecting these cues. ⁣
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15/04/2021

❤️❤️❤️

It matters how we treat our babies, right from the start. We build their brains from the inside out.

Babies' reasoning, rational frontal lobes of the brain don't begin to seriously develop till around age 2. The emotional brain is present from birth and is the heart of the nervous system: its role is to protect. It does this via hormones, chemical messengers that travel around the body affecting organs and preparing them for flight or fight. Even subtle changes can influence feelings and behaviour, long before the rational brain can override.

Babies soon learn if the world is friend or foe, and their brains become wired accordingly, in an "use-dependent" manner (Bruce Perry). Frequently used nerve pathways are reinforced and strengthened... and set the pattern for the future.

Loving, consistent relationships are part of teaching a child that they don't need to be afraid or live in a state of constant alert. We can choose how we parent: we can choose how we shape our babies' brains. It's an important job, being the "always available adult"; and parents were never meant to do it alone. Hold your baby close, make them feel loved and safe. Find people to hold you too: to support you as you care for your child.

09/04/2021

An increase in positive touch in our society results in an increase in respect, love and empathy. Babies and children live what they learn, by sharing these skills at a young age we are more likely to raise healthier, happier humans. Healthier, less stressed people may ease the burden on health systems and reduce pressure on services. Studies also show that infants that are nurtured, massaged and have their needs met results in a reduction of abuse, violence and crime.

31/03/2021

Mothers who have meaningful skin contact during pregnancy and labor tend to have easier labors and are more responsive to their infants. Touching and handling her baby assists the new mother in mil…

31/03/2021

FROM the moment they are born, simple things like talking, playing and singing, as well as hugging and making eye contact with your baby, can have a…

31/03/2021

Right after birth a baby's brain begins to make over a trillion neuron connections! These synapses are used to transmit information based on various life experiences. They are stimulated through the senses, helping to establish connections and using positive stimulation will help these pathways to be become strong and permanent.

04/12/2020

Infant massage has been shown to promote a deeper sleep. Research suggests that regular massage can regulate babies' circadian rhythms to help align to their parents' night/day cycle as as well as increasing their levels of the sleep hormone, melatonin.

So often our IAIM classes end with sleeping babies, does infant massage help your baby to sleep?

24/11/2020

How parents develop their babies emotional regulation.

The research will help scientists better understand how emotional regulation during infancy can contribute to academic performance, everyday behavior and the development of mental health problems later in life.