As new parents we do not always know what we do not know. There is an abundance of information available everywhere at any time. However this is still a mystery for me why there is so little information about the benefits of infant massage in hospitals and pediatricians office. I am a strong believer and advocate of infant massage as one of the most effective and natural manner to bond with your child and through this unique bonding experience to create a compassionate, caring, trusting human being.
A lot of effort is deployed by the International Association of Infant Massage , trainers are trained and certified. But supply of trainers and demand for classes do not seem to match yet. There is not enough done to educate parents about the necessity and long-term benefits of massaging your infant , your toddler, your school -age child ,and your teenager. Doctor Tiffany Field from the Touch Research Institute in Miami shared with me many of her books and surveys. The results are not questionnable. Baby Massage has many benefits and Baby massage is not exploited enough as a therapy.
I offer monthly Baby Massage Courses in Coconut Grove to teach moms how to massage their child and also to teach them about baby behavioral states, baby’s crying, baby’s discomforts ( gas, colic, constipation…etc). I start this education process usually when the moms are expecting. My expectant students take part into prenatal Pilates classes at Body Belly Baby in Coconut Grove and learn at this time about Baby Massage and why it is important as part of Baby care.
Buying the most sophisticated top-of-the-line bouncer, rocker, bassinet, mobile to hold, carry or entertain your child is one thing. It is really a THING. Period . It may stimulate your baby’s brain, it may develop his sensory response, his grasp, his color recognition … Yet it does not provide an ounce of love, warmth, smell, nurture, and bonding. It is just another tool to keep your hands free and gives you some time. Nevertheless you were sold on all the cool options of the latest bouncer … because of its reviews on-line and all of its appealing features.
Think about another alternative…an alternative that in addition to the immediate comforting, relieving, stimulating and bonding benefits also has long-term emotional, psychological, and social benefits for your child.
An alternative that creates, enhances a solid life -lasting relationship between you and your child …
An experience that you and your child have every day during his or her first 12-18 months , something that you can have / bring with you anywhere and at Anytime . It is not material , not sophisticated , not loud , not fashionable and the only requirement is a10-15 minute time window, olive oil, your hands and … your child .
A child who is rocked, held, massaged will be a better person, will have better academic performance in school, will be more social and able to create strong honest relationships with friends, adults, teachers…etc
One father who took my Baby Massage Course at Body Belly Baby in Coconut Grove made this beautiful comment .” I love this course because this is something for my child and I, this is some time shared between us , and it does not need anything else that us. It is not a new toy between my child and I, it is just bonding, sharing, loving, caring, and listening to each other through the nurturing touch” .
I will keep posting and sharing my learning and expertise in baby massage. A monthly course is not enough and many more parents need to learn how to massage their babies.
Be in touch !
