06/09/2019
The baby’s skin is her largest organ. More of the baby’s body is devoted to the sense of touch than to any other sense. Not only do newborns have a well developed sense of touch, but this sense is vital for their survival. Touching your baby, whether to feed, bathe, and change her or to cuddle, massage, and play with her, not only helps her grow but also help to release endorphins, which make her happy, reduce pain, and heighten her other senses.
The history of infant massage goes back thousands of years ago to china at about 2700 BC. India had the first known written massage therapy traditions around 1500 BC or earlier. Giving massages with the help of a nanny or ayya to a newborn baby is like a tradition in India which has been continued down the ages. (Our grannys do insist exposing the new born in the early morning sunlight.) Massage and sun light exposure helps strengthen the babys bone. The touch, love and affection of a mother when she gives a soothing massage to the baby helps them both to bond well and even plays an important role in the growth of the baby.
For the past 9 years as an antenatal trainer I have been teaching the infant massage strokes for the young parents who come to me. I suggest them to learn and do it by themselves. I was so glad to see the young couples coming forward to take up the bonding session today and also tommorow’s labour class. Massaging serves as the tool for paternal-child bond. Western research have proved that fathers who massage their little ones experienced increased feeling of competence, role acceptance, spousal support, attachment. It decreases their feeling of isolation and depression.