Kangaroo Infant Massage - KIM

10/24/2025

ATTN Parents!!! The Haunted House tour at the Osceola Lake Inn is truly spectacular!!! Small child friendly!!! Tonight and tomorrow night are last chances to enjoy this special treat!!! Happy Halloween! 🎃

Have you come to see our Haunted House yet??

09/30/2025

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

09/04/2025

🫶🏽

09/04/2025

😊

08/30/2025

🌿The Gentle Power of Pediatric Massage for Special Needs Children and Their Families🌿

For families caring for children with developmental differences, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or downs syndrome, massage can offer more than comfort. Thoughtful, consistent touch provides meaningful physical, emotional, and sensory support for the whole child and family.

1. Enhanced Motor Development & Sensory Processing

In a randomized controlled trial of children with developmental delays, regular massage led to significant improvements in motor skills and sensory sensitivity,empowering children to engage more confidently with the world around them.

2. Soothing Sensory Regulation & Emotional Connection

For children on the autism spectrum, massage, especially when combined with aromatherapy or gentle touch therapy, can reduce tactile defensiveness, enhance body awareness, and support sensory integration. It also fosters deeper trust and connection with caregivers.

3. Improved Muscle Tone & Mobility

Children with cerebral palsy often experience tight, rigid muscles and limited range of motion. Massage can help by gently reducing spasticity, increasing flexibility, and promoting motor function.

4. Better Rest & Calm for Families

Sleep issues and anxiety are common in children with special needs. Pediatric massage encourages deep relaxation and better sleep patterns, for both child and caregiver. One study of kids with ADHD found that tactile massage reduced hyperactivity while improving sleep.

5. Nurturing Attachment Through Intentional Touch

Parents often report feeling more connected and attuned after providing massage to their child, especially when navigating communication challenges. Massage invites “listening through touch,” helping caregivers respond more sensitively to their child’s signals.

Summary of Benefits

🌿Motor & sensory development - Builds coordination, awareness, and confidence
🌿Sensory regulation - Calms overstimulation, improves tactile acceptance
🌿Muscle tone & mobility - Reduces rigidity and supports movement
🌿Better sleep & relaxation - Improves rest and eases family stress
🌿Deepened connection - Enhances parent-child bonding through touch-based communication

Pediatric massage isn't just soothing, it can become a powerful tool to support growth, regulation, connection, and confidence in families navigating special needs journeys.

🌿Book a one on one instructional session or gift certificate today! www.hamsahands.com🌿

Resources

Infant Massage USA – Professional Education & Family Support

The Touch Research Institute, University of Miami – Research on Pediatric Massage

Liddle Kidz Foundation – Pediatric Massage & Special Needs Training

Tiffany Field, PhD – Studies on Touch and Child Development

Early Touch Therapy – Pediatric Massage for Autism and Special Needs

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) – Research on Massage & Special Populations

“Massage Therapy Research Review” – Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

08/29/2025

Discover the Power of Infant Massage for Foster and Adoptive Families

Welcoming a baby into your life, whether through foster care, adoption, or other loving arrangements, can spark a deep journey of deep emotional connection. Sometimes attachment doesn’t happen instantly. That’s perfectly normal, especially when bonds have been disrupted by trauma or early separation. If you’re craving a gentle, nurturing way to help that bond grow, infant massage is a powerful, heartwarming practice to explore.

Let’s dive into why it works, especially for foster and adoptive families, and how it can weave love, trust, and healing into your everyday rhythm.

1. Touch: Baby’s First Language

From the very beginning, infants communicate through touch. In foster and adoptive situations, where a baby may be adjusting to new faces or environments, touch becomes a vital bridge of comfort and familiarity.

Infant and child massage provides a deeply nurturing experience for both you and your newly adopted child or foster children. Massage communicates a silent “I’m here for you” in action, fostering a sense of safety and presence that words can’t always express.

2. Building Trust and Connection - Slowly, Surely

For babies who’ve lived through uncertainty or separation, abrupt expressions of affection—like hugs—may sometimes trigger rather than soothe. Infant massage offers a gentler, more predictable touch.

Infant massage is less triggering than affectionate touch as it is rhythmic and predictable thereby calming to the limbic system. Rhythm and repetition help the baby’s nervous system settle. Over time, this steadiness nurtures trust between child and caregiver.

3. Infants Become More Regulated

Infants in the foster care system often struggle with regulation, whether it's sleep cycles, feeding, or emotional responses. Infant massage helps to balance the nervous system.

“Infant massage helps infants become more regulated. This is the greatest need for most of the infants in the foster care system.” - Infant Massage USA

At its core, massage can lower stress and ease overstimulation, a true gift for infants learning to feel safe again.

4. The Science of Soothing - Hormones and Brain Waves

Gentle touch isn’t just comforting, it’s physiological medicine. It boosts “feel-good” hormones and curbs stress responses.

Infant massage “has the ability to communicate love, comfort, and security… improve motor skills, body awareness, improve sleep and even facilitate weight gain.” - Dr. Dani Engle

Infant massage “reduces cortisol levels… improved relaxation and sleep… enhanced development… builds stronger immunity.” - El Centro de Amistad

For foster or adopted infants, who often begin their lives under stress, this hormonal and developmental boost isn't just nice, it’s essential.

5. Parent Confidence and Emotional Bonding

As you spend time massaging your baby, something remarkable happens: caregivers grow more confident, more tuned in, and more connected. - Michigan State University Extension

Infant massage positively affects caregivers’ moods. It releases oxytocin in parents, brings joy in play, and strengthens emotional closeness. - Agriculture & Natural Resources College

Jennifer Thurner, Pediatric PT, shared that with consistent massage, a formerly fussy foster baby began smiling, making eye contact, and calming dramatically. Their bond deepened as if touch unlocked a new language between them.

6. Holistic Benefits: Growth, Sleep, Digestion, and More

Infant massage isn’t just about emotional well-being, it supports physical and developmental health, too.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

💜Improved motor skills and body awareness

💜Better sleep and digestion, less fussiness

💜Healthy weight gain and immune support

For children who may have missed out on early physical contact or faced early stress, massage offers a chance to catch up, gently and naturally.

7. Inclusive, Adaptable for All Family Types

Infant massage supports and respects all types of caregivers—moms, dads, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparent guardians.

My infant massage classes welcome all family types and offers tools to soothe, bond, and build confidence. No matter who’s holding the baby, massage becomes a shared ritual of love and connection.

A Gentle Invitation to Begin

Wondering how to get started? Here are a few gentle steps to bring infant massage into your home:

💜Time it right – Choose a calm, alert moment—after a diaper change, not during or right after feeding.

💜Set the mood – Soft lighting, gentle music, warm room. Let the atmosphere feel safe and inviting.

💜Use baby-safe oil – A hypoallergenic or food-grade oil is ideal. Test on a small patch first.

💜Start slowly – Begin with a “hello” stroke from head to toe. Watch your baby’s cues—if they fuss, pause or switch strokes.

💜Follow a gentle sequence – Try legs, then tummy, chest, arms, back. Proceed at the baby’s pace.

💜Engage gently – Make eye contact, whisper softly, smile. Let massage be a two-way conversation.

💜 I highly recommend purchasing a copy of, Infant Massage, A Handbook for Loving Parents" by Vimala McClure, a great place to get started!

💜Book a one on one instructional session or purchase a gift certificate today! www.hamsahands.com

Touch as a Path to Belonging

Foster and adoptive journeys are filled with depth, hope, and sometimes, hard beginnings. Infant massage isn't a cure-all—but it's a beautiful, science-backed way to nurture trust, regulate stress, and blossom a bond that grows stronger with every stroke. Touch is our first language. With open hands and patient hearts, we can speak volumes to babies longing to belong.

Further Benefits:

💜Emotional Regulation - Reduces cortisol, soothes the nervous system
💜Bonding & Trust - Predictable, gentle touch builds attachment
💜Physical Development - Supports motor skills, digestion, sleep, growth
💜Parental Confidence - Releases oxytocin, deepens sensitivity to baby’s cues
💜Inclusive Care - Welcomed by all caregivers across family types

Resources & References

Infant Massage Information Service. Fostering and Adoption: Professional Info. Explores how infant massage supports attachment and regulation in foster and adoptive contexts.

Infant Massage USA. Parents & Caregivers Resources. Highlights how massage helps infants in foster care become more regulated and connected.

Adoptive Families Magazine. Baby Massage: Bonding Through Touch. Offers adoptive parents practical guidance on using massage to ease transitions and strengthen attachment.

Parents Magazine. How to Massage Your Baby. Provides beginner-friendly steps and safety guidelines for practicing infant massage at home.

Michigan State University Extension. The Benefits of Infant Massage. Summarizes research showing positive impacts on infant development and parent confidence.

Dr. Dani Engle, Balance Chiropractic & Rehabilitation. The Benefits of Baby Massage. Explains the physical, emotional, and developmental benefits of massage for infants.

El Centro de Amistad. Strengthening Bonds Through Infant Massage. Describes how massage reduces stress hormones, improves sleep, and boosts immunity.

Jennifer Thurner, PT. Infant Massage and Adoption/Fostering. Shares professional and personal experiences with massage as a tool for bonding in foster care.

Melissa Corkum. Hand Massage for Adoptive Families. Discusses how rhythmic, predictable touch calms the nervous system and supports connection.

Louisville Prenatal Massage. Bonding Through Touch. Emphasizes that infant massage is inclusive and adaptable for all family types and caregivers.

World Health Organization. Kangaroo Mother Care: A Practical Guide. Global guidance on the role of nurturing touch and skin-to-skin in supporting newborn survival and development.

08/28/2025

When my daughter was born 3 months early, Kangaroo Care was life saving. We did as many hours as the hospital routines would allow. Countless hours were spent skin to skin with my preemie. It was this personal experience that inspired me to become a certified infant massage instructor, 20 years ago. I would love to hear your stories in the comments below.

When your baby is born, especially if they need special care in the NICU, you may feel a swirl of emotions—love, fear, joy, and uncertainty all at once. In the midst of the machines, wires, and hospital routines, it can sometimes feel hard to know how to connect with your little one. The good news is, one of the most powerful things you can do for your baby requires no technology, no medical expertise, and no fancy equipment—it’s simply holding your baby against your bare chest. This is called skin-to-skin care, or kangaroo care, and it’s one of the most natural and healing ways to nurture your newborn.

What Is Skin-to-Skin Care?

Skin-to-skin care means placing your diaper-clad baby directly on your bare chest, then covering them with a blanket or your shirt for warmth. This position mimics the protective “pouch” of a kangaroo, hence the nickname kangaroo care. It’s a practice recommended by hospitals worldwide, and research shows it has profound benefits for both babies and parents.

Whether your baby is premature, full-term but needing special support in the NICU, or healthy and thriving at home, skin-to-skin can make an incredible difference. It’s a simple act, but it sends powerful signals to your baby’s body and brain that say: you are safe, you are loved, you belong here.

The Science Behind the Snuggles

💚It may seem like just a cuddle, but skin-to-skin care triggers a cascade of biological and psychological benefits:

💛Regulates body temperature – A parent’s chest acts like a natural warmer, helping premature and full-term babies maintain a stable body temperature.

🧡Supports heart and breathing rates – Babies held skin-to-skin often breathe more regularly and have steadier heartbeats.

🩷Boosts immunity – Close contact helps expose your baby to your healthy skin bacteria, which supports the development of their immune system.

❤️Reduces stress and pain – Skin-to-skin lowers stress hormones (like cortisol) for both parent and baby, easing the baby’s discomfort during NICU procedures or everyday transitions.

💜Encourages brain development – Stable oxygen levels and reduced stress support healthy brain growth and long-term development.

🩵Improves feeding success – Babies held skin-to-skin are more likely to latch, nurse effectively, and gain weight steadily. For bottle-fed babies, it still promotes feeding cues and helps them feel secure.

💙And the benefits aren’t only for babies—parents who practice kangaroo care often report reduced anxiety, improved bonding, and even lower risks of postpartum depression.

💚Emotional Bonding: Love Through Touch

One of the hardest parts of a NICU stay is the separation parents feel from their newborn. Machines may be necessary for survival, but they can also make bonding feel distant. Skin-to-skin care bridges that gap in the most primal way possible: through touch.

Holding your baby close allows you to learn their cues, feel the rhythm of their breathing, and begin a natural dialogue of love without words. Parents often describe feeling calmer, more confident, and more connected after practicing skin-to-skin. It reminds both you and your baby that you belong to each other, even in the midst of medical uncertainty.

How to Practice Skin-to-Skin in the NICU

If your baby is in the NICU, you may wonder how skin-to-skin is even possible with all the wires, tubes, and monitors. The good news is that most NICUs encourage and support kangaroo care, even for very small preemies. Here are some tips:

Ask your baby’s care team – Nurses and doctors can guide you on when and how it’s safe.

Get comfortable – Wear a front-opening shirt or gown to make it easy to hold your baby against your chest.

Create a calm environment – Dim the lights, silence your phone, and allow yourself to simply be with your baby.

Stay patient – Sometimes it takes a little extra help to position your baby safely with medical lines, but your NICU team will support you.

Even short sessions—15 to 20 minutes—can make a difference, though many parents enjoy holding their baby for an hour or more if possible.

Skin-to-Skin at Home

Skin-to-skin isn’t just for NICU babies. Full-term babies thrive on this practice too, and it can be especially powerful in the early days when your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. Try holding your baby against your chest after feedings, before naps, or anytime they need comfort. Partners and caregivers can also take turns—it’s not just a “mom thing.” Every loving chest can provide comfort, warmth, and bonding.

Beyond the Baby: Healing for Parents

Parents sometimes underestimate just how much skin-to-skin helps them. The early days of parenthood can be overwhelming, and NICU experiences can be especially stressful. Holding your baby close:

Boosts oxytocin (the “love hormone”) in parents, fostering emotional well-being.

Helps parents feel more confident in caring for their baby.

Strengthens the parent-baby bond, which lays the foundation for long-term attachment and trust.

For families coping with medical uncertainty, skin-to-skin becomes more than a comfort—it’s a lifeline of love and connection.

What the Research Says

The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend skin-to-skin care as a standard practice for newborns. Studies show that kangaroo care not only improves short-term outcomes like oxygen levels and weight gain but also reduces infant mortality rates in premature babies. Long-term research has even found that children who received skin-to-skin as infants show stronger bonding and better developmental outcomes years later.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re feeling nervous, unsure, or overwhelmed, know this: you don’t have to do it perfectly. Skin-to-skin care isn’t about technique, schedules, or rules—it’s about love, presence, and closeness. Whether your baby is hooked up to NICU machines or sleeping peacefully at home, your touch is powerful medicine.

So take a deep breath, open your shirt, and place your baby gently against your chest. Listen to their tiny breaths, feel their warmth, and let the world pause for a moment. This is the beginning of a lifelong bond, built one heartbeat at a time.

Resources & References

American Academy of Pediatrics – Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (2012).
Highlights the role of skin-to-skin in supporting breastfeeding success, milk supply, and long-term infant health.

Charpak, N., Ruiz, J., Zupan, J., et al. – Kangaroo Mother Care: 25 years after (Acta Paediatrica, 2005).
A landmark study reviewing decades of kangaroo care research, showing improvements in survival and development for premature infants.

Conde-Agudelo, A., Díaz-Rossello, J. – Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants (Cochrane Review, 2016).
A global evidence review confirming that kangaroo care reduces deaths and serious health complications in preterm and low birthweight babies.

March of Dimes – Touching and Holding Your Baby in the NICU.
Parent-friendly guidance on bonding with your baby in the NICU, including practical tips for safe skin-to-skin with fragile infants.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Skin-to-Skin Care for Your Infant.
Offers step-by-step instructions and reassurance for parents new to skin-to-skin care, both in the hospital and at home.

World Health Organization – Kangaroo Mother Care: A Practical Guide (2003).
A global resource that provides clear guidelines on how health professionals and parents can use kangaroo care to improve newborn survival.

Health4Mom – Skin-to-Skin Care for Your Baby in the NICU.
An accessible, parent-focused article that inspired this blog, emphasizing how skin-to-skin strengthens bonding and healing in the NICU.

Book a session or buy a gift certificate: www.hamsahands.com