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.