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Benefits of infant massage therapy:
Massaged infants gain more weight and have shorter hospital stays.
The following pages give examples of several studies that demonstrate
these results.
Massaged infants better utilize the calories they consume.
Although massaged infants consume the same amount as their non-massaged
counterparts, they still gain more weight.
Massaged infants seem to spend more time in active alert states.
This may enhance development and speed adjustment to the external
environment. May help improve sensory awareness.
Massage can help bond parents and infants. Getting
comfortable handling small infants is an essential skill for parents.
Parents who take more responsibility for the infant's care while in the
hospital have increased confidence and awareness which helps the
transition once the infant is brought home. Regular contact
contact is important so that parents know what is normal for their baby.
Studies have shown that massage by a parent is just as effective as
massage by a trained professional.
Massage is soothing to infants and care givers.
Massage may help infants cope better with stressful situations such as painful
procedures in the hospital. It may even help them to have less stress when
they are older. Giving massage helps parents release stress as well. Less
stress means more happy moments with your baby!
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