I recall cradling my daughter in my lap while leaning back in my rocking chair with soft, melodic music playing in the background, and gently massaging her soft skin. While massaging her, I could feel her entire body relax as I felt my own body and spirit fall into a quiet peace, letting my tension and stress disappear. Benefits for Baby Touch is a primal need, and the first important mode of communication between a mother and her new baby. Nurturing touch communicates love, the main ingredient for physical and emotional growth and well-being. Massage improves circulation, strengthens immunity, enhances neurological development, and stimulates digestion, providing relief of gas and colic.
Massage can also raise a child's sense of self and worth, which is tied to developing self-esteem.
When babies are upset, a soothing massage can lessen their tension and irritability and help them to feel more secure. In our culture, babies are born into a fast-paced, technologically advanced world with many unknown situations. This environment can create stress for a newborn. Without relief, this stress can accumulate and may cause a baby to shut down or block sensory intake and learning. Massage is a great buffer against stress.