Baby Massage and Reflux, written as a guest post for www.babyeureka.com

by Sue on January 20, 2012

Baby Massage and Reflux.

 

Tiger in the tree.

I have run baby massage classes for nearly 12 years now. In that time I have come across a number of babies with reflux. Sometimes this is ‘silent’ reflux and while you may not have the projectile vomiting, you do have a very unhappy baby. Very likely mum and dad are tense and tired, and are not enjoying their new bundle of joy at all.

Baby massage can be helpful to babies who suffer reflux.

Reflux, is caused by the muscle between the oesophagus and the stomach being immature and hence working inefficiently. Massage in general, helps to improve muscle coordination and development and will have an overall positive effect on Reflux. Massage also stimulates the main Vagus nerve running through the body and as this controls the respiratory and the digestive system, it helps to improve the condition.

Sometimes, if a baby has reflux a mum or dad may be tired and irritable. Baby massage allows quiet time together to reawaken those loving feelings. Mums and dads share love and fun with their baby, knowing that they are also helping to improve and heal their baby’s condition.

When massaging a baby with Reflux, it is really important to listen in to your baby’s signs. If she is uncomfortable, stop massaging and find a more comfortable position. Generally this will be more upright.

Place your baby over a pillow, your knee or a wedge and this will help. Begin again. Any baby can get irritable, even with massage and not wish to continue. So be prepared to change actions, roll your baby over, carry or just stop for the time being.

Tummy time is really important to babies. It helps to develop their back muscles for sitting up, which in turn can help with reflux.

If your baby is unhappy on their tummy, again place a pillow or wedge under their chest to lift them up, gently bring their arms forward, to help support themselves. They will get stronger and develop good head control with daily practise. Remember, never leave your baby on their tummies if you are not in the room.

Massage your baby, not just once a week, perhaps a little every day, if you can. Help calm and settle them and enjoy this special time together.

 

By Sue Pitts @ www.gentlehandsbabymassage.co.uk

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Baby Massage and Special Needs.

by Sue on October 3, 2011

 

I have written this article for Danette, who runs the Blog http://sos-research-blog.com/ Dedicated to giving information and help to parents, teachers and other professional. This blog is especially about Baby Massage and Special Needs.

As an Infant Massage Teacher for over 12 years now, I am still just as passionate about baby massage, as I was the first day I began.

Baby massage has many well-known benefits, but perhaps what is less well known is how baby massage may help babies with special needs. It is widely acknowledged that babies without touch have impaired emotional and physical development.

Baby Massage Benefits

Becky Elliott, a midwife and founder of Bababoom recently wrote about baby massage:

Touch is one of our most primitive but sensual forms of communication and one every baby is tuned in with before they are even born. Baby Massage is an amazing way of connecting with your baby, giving you the time and the skills to communicate with your baby using touch, verbal communication, eye contact and listening. In my experience as a midwife both caregiver and baby find the time shared during massage enhances bonding and teaches skills to comfort and relax your baby.”

Research has also established that regular baby massage helps with sleeping issues, anxiety and cognitive development.

During my classes I have sometimes had babies with special needs, ranging from low birth weight to cerebral palsy. In general these babies have shown marked improvement and there has been a positive affect on the relationship between mother and baby.

Research has shown that babies with cerebral palsy and autism who receive regular massage show less spasticity, better muscle tone and appear calmer, with better sleeping patterns. Eye contact, skin-to-skin touch and quality time together all help to provide a secure and loving base.

Baby massage has been proven to help with postnatal depression. When you massage your baby’s skin, the body produces the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones help to lower the levels of stress hormones in your body and help combat the symptoms of stress. Mum and baby both begin to relax and enjoy time together.

To finish this article go to http://sos-research-blog.com/10/the-benefits-of-baby-massage-and-how-to-get-started/

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