Baby Massage Guide and Benefits | IMIS

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Research has found that caregivers felt more confident, less stressed, and felt a closer bond with their baby after learning infant massage. Learn more...

Parents are discovering that massage can help their child settle, sleep better, reduce crying and relieve problems such as wind, colic, constipation, reflux and eczema. Baby massage can even help to reduce post-natal depression. Massage is more than just relaxation. Learning the right massage techniques from a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant will teach you everything you need to know.

Reduces crying time.
Various research studies on infant massage have shown that there is a significant reduction in overall crying time with infants and toddlers who receive massage.
Improves sleep and regulates sleep patterns.
Massage increases serotonin levels and regulates melatonin secretion rhythms which helps regulate sleep patterns. In addition to regulating sleep patterns, serotonin is believed to play an important role in regulating anger, aggression, temperature, mood and appetite in addition to other body functions. Low levels of serotonin are thought to be associated with several disorders involving aggressive behaviour, in addition to clinical depression, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine and many more. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted more at night to help induce sleep, and when released during daytime hours is, associated with napping. Melatonin plays a role in regulating a person’s ‘body clock’ or circadian rhythms.
Ideal for pre-term and low birth-weight infants.
Research has shown that infants receiving touch therapy and massage gain weight faster and are discharged earlier than other infants.Researchers have found that low birth-weight infants are gaining weight due to increased vagal activity and enhanced gastric motility (filling and emptying of the stomach).
Enhances emotions and improves mood.
Massage increases dopamine levels which are believed to play an important role in regulating anger, aggression, temperature, mood and appetite in addition to other body functions.
Improves wind, colic, reflux and constipation.
Massage stimulates elimination of waste from the body, can relieve abdominal wind within minutes and speeds a natural process of the nervous system which can assist with reflux.
Relieves sinus and chest congestion.
Massage helps promote adequate drainage of the sinuses and excess mucus on the chest.
Boosts immune system.
Research shows that infant massage can positively influence physiological processes and improve immune function. Massage has shown a significant increase in the number and function of natural killer cells and an increase in neutrophil count (white blood cells that form an integral part of the immune system). Massage also reduces stress hormone levels in the body, which, in turn, enhances function of the immune system.
Reduces stress hormone levels in children and their parents.
Known as "the stress hormone" cortisol is released during times of stress. Prolonged high levels of cortisol can reduce immunity, impair cognitive performance, and reduce bone density and muscle tissue. Massage measurably decreases cortisol levels in both children and their parents allowing blood pressure, heart rate, digestive functioning and hormonal levels to return to their normal state.
Early diagnosis of potential health issues.
Parents who massage their infant each day are more likely to notice changes in their child’s physical condition, which may go unnoticed longer with infants who are not receiving massage.
Reduces symptoms of Eczema.
A UK study showed significant improvement in eczema symptoms with the introduction of massage by parents in addition, Infant Massage Instructors have seen improvement first hand with many babies at infant massage classes. The type of oil used for baby massage is extremely important. New research shows olive oil and sunflower oil damage the natural skin barrier, exacerbating and possibly instigating eczema. The barrier provides a crucial protective function for the skin, preventing loss of moisture and the entrance of harmful microorganisms or irritants. Why some people develop eczema is not well understood. We know that with eczema the skin barrier does not work as well, so the goal is to strengthen this while also reducing stress levels and strengthening the immune system. Daily massage for babies with eczema helps to measurably reduce cortisol levels (‘stress hormone’) as well as strengthening the immune system by improving the function of the body’s ‘natural killer cells’ (a type of white blood cell that plays a major role in the rejection of both tumours and virally infected cells). Moisturising the skin regularly is best carried out via a short massage twice a day. The massage strokes themselves assist with eczema by increasing circulation and lymph flow for the affected areas.
Enhances coordination.
Studies have shown infant massage improves left/right brain communication which has been suggested to improve intelligence.
Relaxes little muscles while stimulating circulation.
During massage, circulation in both the circulatory and lymphatic system increases. The lymphatic system is a specialised component of the circulatory system and has various functions within the body. The two most important functions are internal fluid balance and immunity. One way to imagine the role of the lymphatic system is as the bodies own ‘waste-water system’. Like wastewater systems used in cities, the lymphatic system drains away excess, or ‘runoff,’ water from large areas. “After collecting the body’s runoff, or lymph, the lymphatic system conducts it through a network of lymphatic vessels, or ‘drain pipes,’ to miniature ‘treatment facilities’ called lymph nodes. Contaminants are then removed from lymph, just as contaminants are removed in a wastewater treatment plant. The ‘clean’ fluid is then returned to the bloodstream much as clean wastewater is returned to a nearby river or lake.
Like Municipal wastewater systems, the lymphatic system not only prevents dangerous fluid build-ups, or ‘floods,’ [swelling] but also prevents the spread of disease. All systems of the body benefit from the fluid-balancing and immune functions of the lymphatic system.”
(Thibodeau Patton 1996.)
Reduces anxiety and improves alertness.
Improved pulmonary (lung) function.
Stimulates the vagas nerve.
The vagus nerve is a nerve in the brain that becomes stimulated, or increases in activity during massage. Because the vagus nerve branches out to control the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems, all of these areas can benefit from massage therapy.
Provides a wide range of benefits to children with special needs.
Massage is beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, asthma, cystic fibrosis, dermatitis, diabetes, down syndrome, fibromyalgia, HIV exposed infants, leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and a wide range of other conditions with similar symptoms.
Reduces postnatal complications of drug-exposed infants.
Enhances habituation (a form of learning).
Stroking on the skin is a new sensation for infants to become accustomed to. Any process that is new to an infant (or unrecognised) can induce an automatic stress response causing the release of a hormone known as ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone). This process is not negative, but beneficial to the infant. The release of ACTH stimulates the growth of millions of new connecting links between neurons. The end result is that the brain is able to process information, and convert new and stressful situations into something that is recognised as being predictable and safe. This fascinating benefit has the potential to ensure infants are easier to soothe in general, and show a decrease in future stress hormone levels for the child.
Enhances cognitive and motor development.
Cognitive development refers to the development of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making. Motor development refers to the progressive change in a child’s control of movement due to maturation and experience.
Relief of discomfort
Massage causes a release of endorphins which “act like opiates to block pain (Thibodeau 1996).” This release may assist in relieving discomfort associated with painful conditions such as teething, wind, colic, and other medical conditions with painful symptoms. Evidence suggests that opioids are the most appropriate treatment for infants’ suffering from withdrawal after being exposed to various drugs during pregnancy; therefore this release of endorphins could be particularly beneficial to these babies.
Reduces distress during aversive medical procedures.
Reduces crying
A team of researchers from Warwick Medical School and the Institue of Education have reviewed nine paediatric massage studies where parents were trained by professional instructors in appropriate baby massage techniques. Following the intervention, a range of significant results were noted. Compared to control groups, the massaged infants cried less, slept better and had lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone).
Enhances attachment and bonding.
Enhances body awareness.
Speeds myelination of the brain and nervous system.
Myelination is a process that occurs in the nervous system where a portion of some nerves are covered by a fatty sheath known as myelin. Skin stimulation speeds the process of myelination in the nervous system therefore improving brain-body communication and enhancing neural-cell firing, the process by which cells of the nervous system ‘fire’ messages to the brain and musculoskeletal body.
Benefiicial for parents and grandparents
Research has shown that adults who provide massage to infants experience less anxiety, fewer depressive symptoms, improved mood, pulse decreases, cortisol levels decrease (a stress hormone), and improved self-esteem. Another study (Lunnen et al 2005) showed that caregivers felt more confident and less stressed and felt a closer bond with their baby after learning infant massage.
Massage can easily involve the father.
Fathers have been seen to have improved interaction behaviours with their infants after learning massage techniques.

Massage helped with reflux, colic and relaxed my baby."
Sheridan & Carlo, Ringwood East, VIC

"I loved learning each new massage and so did my baby. Her reflux has improved so much that she is no longer on any medication (and my washing has gone down heaps too)! My only wish is that I had learnt massage sooner."
Anita, Strathmore, VIC

"Was good one on one time with my child. Keith has been diagnosed with autism this past December and we find the massage helps with calming and centering him."
Jeff, Heathmont, VIC

Benefits Of Baby Massage

Increase parental confidence...