The bonding created through infant massage can last a lifetime.

  Actually the term infant massage is a bit misleading; children can benefit from this nurturing experience from infancy all the way through their teen-age years, said Laura Barrett, OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist with Baptist Outpatient Rehabilitation.

  Infant massage is an interactive, special way for parents to help their babys development. Massage provides a unique opportunity for one-on-one attention with a child and it has lifelong benefits, Barrett said. The emotional bonds formed during childhood lay a foundation for a lifetime of trust, courage, dependability, faith, and love. Special needs children can benefit from infant massage, too.

  These benefits include:

• Promoting bonding and attachment
• Increasing the sense of love, acceptance, and respect between parent and child
• Improving an infants body awareness
• Relieving discomfort from teething, gas, colic, constipation, congestion, and emotional stress
• Stimulating growth and healthy development
• Improving muscle tone, circulation, and digestion
• Encouraging deeper and longer sleep patterns
• Encouraging deeper breathing and improved vocal development 

  Studies have shown that infant massage alleviates the stress newborns can experience after spending months in their mothers protective womb. It can provide relief needed to disperse gas, ease muscle spasms, tone the digestive system and help it work efficiently. Some techniques even help bring relief from teething. Massage can aid circulation, strengthen muscles, and relieve constipation. No adverse side effects have been reported when infant massage is done properly after careful instruction by a licensed massage therapist who specializes in infant care.

  Massage has benefits for parents as well. It can help parents feel more confident, increase their ability to soothe their children during times of stress, and enhance communication with their children. Its a nice way to enable you take time out and relax, Barrett said.

  The practice of massaging infants dates back to ancient times, primarily in Eastern cultures where touch is considered both spiritually and physically healing. 

  Infant massage was introduced formally into the United States in 1978 when Vimala Schneider McClure developed a training program for instructors at the request of childbirth educators. From McClure's training in India, her knowledge of Swedish massage and reflexology, along with her knowledge of yoga postures that she had already adapted for babies, she became the foremost authority on infant massage. In 1986 she founded the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), which has 27 chapters worldwide as of 2000.

  To learn infant massage, it is best to attend a class taught by a certified instructor, Barrett said. Many good books are available, but parents will get more by interacting with an instructor. The instructor can help parents develop an individualized routine that will work best for them and their child. Its important that fathers are included in the process as well, Barrett said.

  Parents get more out of it from a holistic approach, Barrett said. You have someone here to give you a foundation, to help you with modifying your strokes if needed.

  Instructors also work with parents to help them read their childs signs and cues to figure out if their child is ready for a massage or not. Their signals help parents learn their likes and dislikes.

Readiness cues:

• Alert
• Eye contact
• Smiling/ happy
• Calm
• Babbling/ talking

Avoidance cues:

• Fast breathing
• Asleep
• Pulling/ pushing away
• No eye contact
• Hiccups
• Whimpering/ crying

  When giving a child a massage, the only supplies a parent needs are oil to help hands glide gently over the childs skin and perhaps some soft music (lullabyes are good) to create a relaxing environment. Lights should be dimmed. You should avoid traditional baby oil because it can clog pores and nut oil because many children are allergic to nuts, especially peanuts. Barrett recommends pure-pressed or expeller-pressed safflower, olive and apricot kernel oils. These can be found in grocery and health food stores.

  You should be consistent and do massages around the same time each day, but you can vary what you do depending on what your child seems to prefer that day.

  Baptist Outpatient Rehabilitation-East offers classes for infant massage. For more information, call 901.226.4522.