baby massage anyone?

Just curious? Having looked over crying threads I wonder why nobody is suggesting baby massage as an aid for colic/ tummy discomfort.

I am also wondering how parents perceive baby massage - ie attending classes -call this a bit of unofficial market research if you like.

Have you ever had a massage yourself?

Do any of you include infant massage as a regular part of your baby's routine/day?

There are fabulous medically researched benefits- enhanced immunity, neurological development , improved sleep patterns , bonding and even studies showing improvement in maternal symptoms of postnatal depression. I wonder how widespread this information is or whether many mothers simply think massage will be one more thing to do?

I was taught infant massage by a Sikh woman over twenty years ago and practised it on my own babies before becoming a certified instructor. It is so absolutely rewarding to teach motivated parents and watch them develop confidence -especially Dads, yet I rarely see it recommended mother to mother on forums.

Classes make a lovely 'first outing' in a supportive environment - so what is happening-Is there not enough PR around infant massage? Where does everyone go?

If anyone is interested, please check out classes on my website www.pinky-mychild.com -I am planning one for Hawthorn starting on Fridy mornings, from next week( a couple of places left) and a Sunday one at Sth Melbourne in April - this one is almost fully booked -the Dads are amazing at these classes! -I am also open to doing one of the Hawthorn sessions on a Friday evening so dads can have a go - depending on needs of the group- it worked beautifully last time.

Mums of twins -I can organise a doula so you are welcome and will have help.

I welcome your feedback
Pinky

I have suggested it Pinky! ;) It's in the "Working Out Why Baby Is Crying thread!:

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The pressure seems to help, so now I even try massaging his tummy gently too. There are some great infant massage techniques suited to wind and colic.

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:D

I do baby massage with Olivia......we went to classes run through our local baby health clinic when she was only about a month old, and Olivia enjoys a massage usually every 3rd day or so.......she is now at an age when she LOVES it and knows when I ask her "Would you like some Mummy Massage?" what that means & she goes crazy with happy anticipation!

However, we did try it early on, from when she was about six weeks old, to try and sooth her from crying. (From about 6 weeks to 3 months she was a shocker for getting over-tired & would scream for 20mins-2hrs prior to any attempt to put her down at bedtime). I would try a massage before she got over-tired to try and calm her, but it seemed to overstimulate her?

A bath, however, at this stage of the evening, seemed to really solve the issue! (I guess babies, like grown-ups, respond to different things at different times!)

Overall though, I am a HUGE advocate of baby massage & would totally recommend it to anyone. It is just a gorgeous thing to share with your child & we both feel great afterwards!

You are right Pinky... its not often mentioned as something to do :-k not sure why though... I was visiting a friend whose baby has colic (6weeks) recently and was showing her massage techniques I learned through a class offered. Our nightime routine still includes a massage after a bath, as it helps settle Matilda down more.

Sounds like a great idea, when mine were little, I never heard of baby massage. Definitely something I'll look into if/when pg finally happens..

A friend of a friend did a Bowen massage on Eliana last Monday - I'm not too sure what it does but she didn't mind it being done.
I have been massaging her myself & concentrating on her belly when she has wind - don't know if I'm doing right but she lies there & seems to enjoy it.

I used to give Yasin a bit of a massage after his bath but I stopped doing it for no particular reason - just forgot. Thanks for the reminder, we should get back into it.

I would do it but have no idea how to. Cant find any info on it.

Hi all,
Kelly, sorry I did see you had a suggestion of massage there - I think I was a bit overwhelmed at the discussion around medication and that nobody else seemed to pick up on massage as a help for unsettled babies - there is a big difference between having a baby with special needs/ medical reasons and medical advice to give meds such as panadol but I freak abit because I am often hearing about parents using panadol, for example, quite freely to induce sleep/ calm babies - without any medical reason. Could it be the TV ads that suggest "and we all got a good night's sleep" as we see on one such medication ad?

forgive me but I am almost as passionate about unnecessary medication as I am about harsh sleep training- there is no need if you have natural alternatives like massage which are effective and beneficial.

Seeing most of you are around the country, to find a class near you, contact Infant Massage Australia - www.infantmassage.org - if you want to join me next Friday at Hawthorn, see my website - or give me a call (98011997 ) - Kelly and Elijah are coming too!

If you just want some basic (very basic!) tips see the Mother and Baby special mag - Shopping For Baby -I have an article in there.

Pinky
www.pinky-mychild.com

Thanks Pinky for that! So often we mum's go to the CHN for help & get given advice that isn't always right for our bubs!

I heartfully agree that panadol is overused. I use a Brauer homeopathic teething drops which settles Matilda on her bad teething days better than anything else, aside from good ol' ice :) So its really helpful to hear of "alternative" remedies for our little ones.

I used too massage keenan after his bath too - but have stopped that. I did massage him the other day (two days in a row) in the middle of the day as we had a little time and he loves it.

Thanks for the info Pinky.

Hey Pinky,
Just thought i'd let you know the Australian site is www.infantmassage.org.au
:)

That site is great Katey - thanks for posting it.

Oops- I forgot the 'au" - anyway, all instructors who have done infant massage Australia training are lovely women with a gentle perspective on babies -many are MCh nurses as well.
Pinky
www.pinky-mychild.com