At birth, placed on his mother's belly, he feels her warmth, hears the familiar heartbeat, finds the breast and suckles contentedly. Cuddled and caressed as an infant, his level of growth hormone increases and the myelin coating protecting his motor nerves thickens. Without the stimulus and self-reinforcement of touch and despite the release of growth hormone, he stops growing. Massage improves the function of a baby's brain, heart and liver. It improves blood flow, strengthens gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, lessens symptoms of gas and colic, and reduces muscle tension.
Massage especially benefits children with special needs.
The benefits of massage don't end in infancy. Bulimia and other eating disorders suffered by adolescents and young people can be countered with massage, providing them with comfort, reassurance and a better self-image. Massage aids those suffering from depression, anxiety, hypertension and poor sleep patterns. In old age, massage counters the sense of loneliness and isolation, and can delay the onset of senility. Baby massage, like breastfeeding, is one of the most fulfilling forms of nurturing you can give your child.