You are here

Baby Massage Tips


Massage is one of life's simple pleasures, and research has shown that baby massage can help babies grow better and behave better. (Even colicky ones!) The skin-to-skin connection helps parents and baby better communicate too -- without saying a word. It's also a great way for dad to get in on the baby-bonding act.


Massage was a sanity-saver during the time of day that my wife, Martha, and I dubbed "happy hour." It was usually late afternoon when our daughter Hayden seemed to be the fussiest (and our parental reserves their lowest).


We pediatricians actually have a descriptive term for this skin-to-skin contact: therapeutic touch. But don't let our terminology fool you. This is one of the simplest ways to calm your baby -- and perhaps even you.


Why Massage Your New Baby?


To help him breathe more rhythmically  Infants often have irregular breathing patterns, but because the skin is the largest organ of the human body and it's rich in nerve endings, massage can help.


To stimulate growth-promoting hormones  Pediatricians have long known that babies who are touched a lot thrive. Thriving doesn't just mean growing bigger, it means growing to your fullest potential -- physically, intellectually and emotionally. A study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that premature babies receiving three 15-minute massages per day for five days showed a 53 percent greater daily weight gain than unmassaged babies.


To build his brain Studies show that newborns receiving extra touch experience enhanced neurological development. Since the brain grows fastest in the first year, that's the time when it's smart to give your child extra touch.


To boost his immunity  A study of human infants 10 weeks old showed that infants whose backs were massaged by their mothers experienced fewer colds and fewer occurrences of diarrhea. Conversely, touch deprivation negatively affects the immune system. Touch enhances secretion of digestive hormones and helps the baby's digestive system work more efficiently. 


To relieve stress  Researchers believe that one cause of colic is sensory overload. A stressed baby will cry. Infant massage can significantly reduce this stress by reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.