We have used massage in our centre to calm babies experiencing stress, babies with poor muscle tone, and babies who show signs of failure to thrive. The benefits to the babies have been tremendous. We have learned that our touch increases circulation. Infants who are listless or who show signs of failure to thrive are motivated to action through massage. It promotes relaxation and is used before an infant prepares for sleep or while the baby is falling asleep.
Infants occasionally suffer from constipation.
A simple manipulation of stretching the feet and legs back and forth often eases the gas pains. Massage has been known to aid the digestive and respiratory systems. Lying the baby across the caregiver's lap and firmly patting the back with a cupped hand helps babies who suffer from asthma or who are very congested. Infant massage does not take a lot of time. You will see benefits from massage even when practiced for 15 minutes a day.