For babies and young children touch is more powerful than any words!
Human beings crave touch. Sharing physical contact in appropriate ways shows respect towards one another, builds positive relationships, trust and opens up the doors for deep connections and honest communication between parents and children. Massaging an infant proves to be very soothing, reduces crying and fussiness, alleviates constipations and colic’s and helps the baby to sleep more peacefully. The effects of such massages are immediate and they last over time.
When we set aside 15 minutes regularly to massage and bond with our baby or infant we are actually setting aside time to fully love and better understand this new person that will be in our care for many years to come.
The human skin is the largest sensory organ directly connected to our nervous system. It has about 5 million receptors, and when touched or pressured, an electrical signal is sent through neurons connecting the spine to the brain. The function of these receptors is to protect and depending on the sign received the body will recoil or relax. Therefore, when touched/pressured in a positive and respectful ways it induces an increase in serotonin. Serotonin is our body’s primary mood-stabilizing hormone (feel good hormone), so an increase in such chemical regulates the heart rate and breathing to a state of relaxation in the baby/person.
The power of nurturing touch creates a sense of trust and closeness which are very important ingredients in the development of a balanced child in all aspects. Although nurturing touch can be given from birth, some babies may find formal, structured massage too stimulating in the very early weeks. It is usually recommended to start massaging your baby once he/she is about six weeks old and when their daily routines are more settled, and their behaviour is more predictable. There are classes and workshops, with trained instructors that parents can attend to learn some strokes, otherwise you can just follow your intuition and be observant of your baby’s reaction.
Some helpful tips to consider when applying nurturing touch to your baby at home:
- Pick a time during the day when your baby is content and alert, and interested in what’s going on around them. This makes it more likely that they’ll be ready to interact with you.
- Find a comfortable spot: on the floor, bed or sofa, with your baby safely on a towel in front of you.
- Find a position that’s comfortable, gives you good eye contact with no overhead lights and where your baby is warm.
- You may decide if your child is diaper-free, but it can help to at least loosen their diaper when massaging the tummy.
- It can be a nice idea to introduce a massage after bath and before bed as part of a bedtime wind-down.
Massages are beneficial not only for babies and infants but also for toddlers and older children. For older kids’ parents have reported an improvement in their child’s concentration as well as a more relaxed approach when it comes to tackling tasks, such as homework. Parents have also noticed better relationship between siblings and parents because it is an activity that can be enjoyed as a family.
As mentioned above, the effects last a life time and babies who have been brought up with positive touch, later in life often share enjoyable and more meaningful connections with their parents because their brain has already registered these positive circuits and sensations.
If you would like to know more about massage for older children ages 4 to 12 years please visit the website https://massageinschools.com/misa/
“The vision of the Massage in Schools Program is that every child attending school experience positive and nurturing touch every day…everywhere in the world.”
By Karima Juma, certified nurturing touch instructor
References:
https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/everyday-care/baby-massage-tips-and-...
https://massageinschools.com/misa/
https://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/the-benefits-of-baby-massage/
