Bonding

Bonding with baby through infant massage can be a wonderful experience. During the nine months of pregnancy, mothers begin bonding with their babies in the womb. The experience of feeling their unborn child move inside of them can create a powerful emotional connection. After birth, massaging your baby is a perfect way to continue the physical and emotional bonding. Better still, fathers and other family members can join in and share this special time with the newest member of the family.

While it has enjoyed a good deal of attention in recent years, infant massage has actually gone on for centuries in other civilizations.

In 1973, while studying in India, Vimala Schneider McClure became familiar with the ancient Indian tradition of infant massage. After she returned home and her first child was born, she used what she had learned about massage and reflexology to massage her son every day. She soon developed a teaching curriculum based on her years of yoga training and massage. This curriculum became the basis of training in organizations such as Infant Massage USA.

It can't be stated enough that one of the best aspects of baby massage, in particular, is that it gives fathers a chance to experience what has typically been a mother-child phenomenon. . .that of bonding with his child from a very early age.

It can also be a great tool to use when sleep-deprivation, life demands and feelings of being overwhelmed have mom and baby off-balance. In fact, studies have shown it improves the quality of interactions with baby for moms suffering from post-partum depression.

Benefits