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What is an infant massage? What are the benefits? What kinds of techniques are used? Is there
any reason my infant should not receive a massage? Where is this service available? If you have
any of these questions, then keep reading. Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know if
you are considering a massage for your infant. Remember, there are classes available in your
area, and you can easily do these techniques yourself!
child become more aware of themselves and There are many benefits to Infant massage
you, usually performed during 0 to 6 months for the baby and parent. These are most
old. The massage generally uses light beneficial during the early months of their
strokes and classic Swedish techniques. life. These include:
After educating yourself on the benefits and
• Relaxation- helps to reduce
risks of infant massage, you may find that it
is just right for you and your infant. irritability
• Bonding of parent and infant
Consulting an Expert • Aids in the relief of gassiness, colic
By: Pedro Mateus
Infant massage is a bonding experience • Can improve baby’s sleep patterns
between parents and their baby. It is
important to consult your paediatrician and •
your massage therapist about the type of
massage that you want to use for your baby,
and to recommend you to take a class on
infant massage. The infant massage
workshops offered teaches you how to give
a full body massage to your baby. The
instructor will demonstrate the massage
techniques and routines on a doll as you
follow along with your child. It is important
to know that there are many sources
available to you about infant massage such
as libraries, bookstores and the internet.
Helps with growth and development
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Preparing the Infant
By: Trelani Milburn
Infants have a short attention span, so the
massage should be short, and repetitive.
Make sure the room is warm, and you have
a soft surface for the baby to lie on. Only a
mild oil or lotion is needed to reduce the
friction. Once the baby is relaxed, you can “Infant massage is a great way to enhance the parent-
begin. child interaction. It can have a significant impact on
health and their future.” Dr. Graham, past Director of
Parental Consent Canadian Institute of Child Health, Canada
By: Trelani Milburn
Getting parental consent is the same for
infant massage as it is when getting consent
for a minor. The parent/guardian is allowed
to be in the room at all times. Once a
practitioner has qualifications they are able
to teach the parent/guardian where they are
able to perform this technique themselves. Precautions & Contraindications
By: Samantha Dickey
Draping Precautions and contraindications are very
By: Trelani Milburn similar to any other massage. Although most
When draping an infant, remember that they are rare, they still need to be taken into
are more susceptible to colds and that you consideration. Some of these include:
must keep them warm. It is more effective if
you remove all articles of clothing including Circulatory like edema, hemophilia,
the diaper. If the room is slightly cold, you hematoma or high blood pressure.
can cover them with a blanket and continue Skin Disorders like blisters, boils, bruises,
with the massage. lesions, burns, rashes, inflammation or open
wounds.
Orthopedic conditions like amputations,
fractures or dislocations.
-Pitstop: Lift either arm and rub the armpit Johnson’s baby. The Importance of Touch brochure
Jackie McNall has been an RMT for 8 years, and works out of Tranquility, a clinic in Barrie,
Ontario and the Naturopathic Health Clinic in Cookstown, Ontario. She teaches infant
massage classes to parents and also offers individual sessions. Information can be read at her
website http://www.jmcnallrmt.ca. Here is a brief interview with Jackie about infant massage,
its benefits and why she does it.
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Most of the time parents will bring their infant before deciding what would be best
babies in for one session. I prefer to teach for them?
parents how to massage their babies rather Sometimes I will palpate the abdomen over
than doing it myself. It's all about the the clothes to see the hyper tonicity, or some
bonding experience. hip flexion bilat to see the expression on
their faces, looking for discomfort.
Any special techniques that you use for
your classes?
I have worked hard at my infant massage
classes, I have tried to make them fun and
informative. I incorporate songs, rhymes,
and fun techniques like "I love you," for the
abdomen, and "open book," across the chest
while singing Mary had a little lamb.
Interview Continued
References
Cohen, S. S. (1987). Medical Considerations with Infant Massage. In The Magic of Touch:
Revolutionary ways to use your most powerful sense (pp. 23-24). New York: Harper and Row
Publishing.
Elaine Weisberg, R. D. (1998). What is Infant Massage? Retrieved February 2009, from Child
Birth: http://www.childbirth.org/articles/baby/infantmassage.html
Jill Vyse, J. H. (2009). Retrieved February 2009, from Infant Massage in Canada:
http://www.infantmassage.ca/
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