Touch is your baby’s most highly developed sense at birth, and was the first sense her brain registered during gestation. Because of this, and because touch is the most ancient sense from an evolutionary perspective, it is known as the mother of the senses. This ancient sense allows you to reassure, nurture and build your baby’s strength through a gentle caress. As the primary method of communication between you and your baby, touch can be an expression of love that offers many benefits for your baby’s healthy growth, immunity, sensory development, and cognitive development.
Massage is a form of touch that can help babies grow more quickly and soundly, exhibit more playfulness and less fear, tolerate stress better and have stronger immune systems. With frequent physical contact, babies can start crawling, grabbing and walking earlier, sleep better, fuss less and have bigger brains with higher IQs. Massage will even influence your baby’s hormone levels, elevating oxytocin, to help her respond positively to stressful situations. It provides enhanced physical and emotional health, resulting in a stronger immune system that is more prepared to handle the challenges in our environment today. For even more information…
Infant & Pregnancy Massage Advisor:
Linda Storm, CEIM
Infantmassageusa.org
Linda Storm is the Executive Director of Infant Massage USA, and a Certified International Trainer and Educator of Infant Massage since 1999. Linda, originally an elementary/special education teacher, believes massage has the potential to support family bonding and also the health of our society by creating more opportunities for improved communication, and joy.
As a key resource, directly effecting the lives of thousands of people throughout her career, Linda travels nationally and internationally, presenting and writing about her specialty as a coveted expert in this field and has presented workshops at national conferences and written articles for national magazines and newspapers. As the Executive Director of Infant Massage USA, Linda supports a quality, evidence-based program to help parents and babies enjoy the life-long benefits of nurturing touch. For Episencial, Linda informs product development to incorporate the favorite ingredients, and features of massage professionals.
“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant. Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.” Frederick Leboyer, M.D.
For a new mom, receiving massage can have the same benefits as it does for baby, and more. Massage may help relieve fatigue and muscle soreness to help with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and nervous tension. It can improve circulation and help achieve a relaxed state of mind that is nurturing for both baby and mom. These physical benefits enhance immunity and help to create a mental and physical environment that is more rewarding and nurturing for everyone involved.
Massage provides family members with a beautiful opportunity to support each other and share even more love through the trials and triumphs of new baby care. Always check with your doctor before massaging your baby to find out about special circumstances and precautions.
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