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