Benefits of Infant Massage with IAIM

Infant Massage is a traditional parenting practice in India and many other parts of the world, where generations of mothers offer nurturing touch to their babies. It provides a loving connection between parent and baby starting early in life, strengthening this attachment as baby grows. Today, countless research studies in the US and in Europe support the benefits of infant massage with impressive results. Babies are able to relax and sleep better, they calm themselves more readily, and they thrive on many measures of infant health and development.

Benefits for Babies and Children

Provides a special individual time for communication that builds love and respect
Promotes attachment and bonding by providing skin to skin touch and a nurturing experience between parent and infant
Helps baby to feel heard, acknowledged and loved, building their self-esteem
Helps baby to sleep longer and more deeply
Increases baby’s body awareness
Massage stimulates all body systems
Helps relieve discomfort from gas, constipation, colic, teething, and congestion
Helps to stimulate circulation
Aids digestion and gastrointestinal system
Helps baby to relax and let go of emotional stress
Improves sensory awareness
The sensory stimulation of touch promotes growth and development by supporting myelination of the brain and nervous system
Can be adapted to benefit baby with special needs

Benefits for Parents and Caregivers

Relaxing, pleasurable one-to-one time with baby
A great way to connect and get to know baby
Helps parents to feel more confident in handling their baby
Helps parents to understand and interpret baby’s cues and cries
Provides a positive way for fathers and other family members to be involved in nurturing baby
Helps parents to develop their nurturing skills by learning to listen and respond to baby
Helps to alleviate stress and develop strong family bonds for working parents who are separated from their children during the day
Can help to alleviate postpartum depression in mothers