Baby massage: Parents, babies bond well via massage<\/p>\n
Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Many parents here are already familiar with infant massage. Many
\nclaim that such treatment can increase a baby's appetite, as well
\nas stimulate blood circulation and bone growth.<\/p>\n
Current studies show that massage performed by parents will
\nbuild a stronger emotional bond between babies and parents.<\/p>\n
The strong bond of affection between parents and babies will
\nin turn help the babies to grow healthier. They will rarely fall
\nsick and therefore not require medication which can affect their
\ndeveloping organs.<\/p>\n
There are no problems with this traditional practice of infant
\nmassage, performed by dukun bayi (baby masseur) but again many
\nexperts suggest that parents themselves do the massage.<\/p>\n
Traditional masseurs, mostly self-taught, can be called to the
\nhouse to massage babies. Baby oil or minyak telon (warming oil
\nmade of cajeput oil), is usually applied for the massage.<\/p>\n
Besides traditional masseurs, more and more baby massage
\nparlors are being opened with other services, not only for the
\ninfants, but also for mothers who have just given birth.<\/p>\n
Although previously not practiced in the Western communities,
\nmany doctors in the U.S., Australia and European countries have
\nstarted to introduce the practice to their patients following
\nstudies on the positive impact of baby massage.<\/p>\n
Pediatrician Utami Roesli at St. Carolus Hospital, however,
\nadds that the most advantage will be gained if parents themselves
\nmassage their babies. She says fathers, who culturally are not
\ntoo involved in taking care of the babies, can help bolster the
\nproduction of the breast milk by regularly massaging the baby,
\naccompanied by the mothers.<\/p>\n
\"By enjoying such an intimate activity, studies show that
\nwomen produce more oxytocin hormone which I also call the kasih
\nsayang (affection) hormone or love hormone,\" Utami remarks.<\/p>\n
The oxytocin hormone stimulates the contraction of uterine
\nmuscles and the secretion of milk.<\/p>\n
Utami, who is also a lactation expert, says there are
\nscattered scientific studies that have proved that positive
\neffects are shown in a baby's weight gain and the increase in
\nmothers' breast milk, if their babies are massaged regularly.<\/p>\n
\"Twenty premature babies who were massaged three times a day
\nfor 15 minutes per session had a weight gain of between 20
\npercent and 47 percent per day. The weight of babies, aged one
\nmonth to three months, who are massaged 15 minutes twice a week
\nwas above average,\" she said citing the results of one of the
\nstudies.<\/p>\n
There are no rules as to when or at what age the baby can be
\nmassaged. Utami even says, \"While the mothers are still pregnant,
\ntouching the stomach can stimulate the babies' senses.\"<\/p>\n
Babies can be massaged right after they are born. Of course
\nthere are phases in the massaging method. In early ages, parents
\nonly need to tenderly touch their babies, then with a soft hug
\nand later with the whole massage routine.<\/p>\n
The touch and eye contact are also the basis of communication
\nbetween parents and their babies.<\/p>\n
Utami stresses it is about time for young fathers to get join
\ntheir wives in nurturing their babies from an early age.<\/p>\n
\"I always remind my patients that there are three components
\nin breast-feeding; mother, father and the baby. So the three must
\nwork together to get the utmost advantage,\" claims Utami.<\/p>\n
She was also involved as a consultant in the making of a VCD
\nentitled Sentuhan Kasih Sayang, Pedoman Pijat Bayi (Caring touch,
\nthe guide to baby massage).<\/p>\n
\"That's just a guide but there are no fixed rules in the
\nmassage because I believe babies are unique, only their parents
\nknow what they need and want,\" she comments on the newly launched
\nVCD.<\/p>\n
Utami calls the active fathers (in taking care of their baby)
\nas a breast-feeding father as they can express their love and
\naffection through intimate activities with their babies including
\nmassage.<\/p>\n
\"It is so easy to do this. What is important is the strong
\nwill of both parents to give their best to their baby. Just spare
\ntime to do this massage. It only takes 15 minutes,\" she stresses.<\/p>\n
Tips for baby massage<\/p>\n
* Find the right time that is suitable for both parents (morning
\nand afternoon) before the baby is bathed.<\/p>\n
* Make sure the parents' hands are clean and nails are well-
\ntrimmed. Take off all jewelry to avoid hurting the baby.<\/p>\n
* Make sure the baby is fed and not sick or in a weak condition.<\/p>\n
* Prepare a towel, baby oil and a clean diaper.<\/p>\n
* Talk to the baby to ask their consent to massage. Keep on
\ntalking to them and treat the baby as a playmate.<\/p>\n
* Keep on talking (sharing anything with the baby in a gentle
\nvoice), telling a story or singing their favorite song during the
\nmassage.<\/p>\n
* There are no standardized rules in massaging a baby as
\ngenerally baby and parents will get to know what is needed once
\nthe parents seriously pay attention to their baby reaction in the
\nfirst massage.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/baby-massage-parents-babies-bond-well-via-massage-1447893297",
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