Just a few minutes asleep, then heard the sound of the Little One waking up and crying. Only after being held for a while did he calm down and go back to sleep. This may be familiar to parents. In order for Mother's rest to be calmer, baby massage is one way that can make your little one sleep well and avoid excessive fussing.
If the touch while being held can be soothing, then massage all over the baby's body can certainly bring more benefits.
Central Nervous Stimulation
Massage on your little one is believed to stimulate the central nervous system, so that the brain produces more serotonin which makes it comfortable while lowering cortisol (a hormone that is released when experiencing stress). This condition then makes the baby's breathing and heart rate slower, so the little one feels relaxed.
This is reinforced by research showing that baby massage is believed to help your little one sleep more soundly, and avoid excessive crying and fussing. Baby massage will also help in relieving stomach aches and constipation. Baby massage is also said to be able to increase the baby's ability to fight harmful germs. Although this still requires further research.
The benefits of massage on your little one are not just physical. However, these activities can support emotional development and strengthen your little one's relationship with Mom and Dad. Touch and movement when massaging can be a form of fun communication between your little one and their parents.
Massaging the baby using oils such as baby oil, can help the baby calmer while making the massage process easier. When Mom or Dad massages, accompany it by saying a gentle sentence or a soothing song. Try to look into your little one's eyes when massaging. This process is also said to be able to help mothers who are at risk or are experiencing depression after giving birth.
It is not recommended to massage the baby when he is hungry, when he is full, after eating, or too close to bedtime. The most appropriate time is between feeding and the baby is not yet sleepy, because at that time, the baby can interact well during the massage process. Apart from these times, babies can also be massaged after bathing.
Benefits for Premature Babies
In particular, massage on the Little One who was born prematurely using baby oil believed to help increase weight. This is because the stimulation from the massage can reach the nerves that connect the brain and stomach, so that the digestive process becomes more optimal.
The heartbeat of premature babies who are massaged can also become more stable. Likewise, more stable brain activity, as well as increased bone density will be seen in premature babies who are massaged.
Not only that, massage in babies born prematurely also have a higher tolerance when they feel pain or stress. In another study, massage in premature babies was equally effective, whether it was done by the mother or a professional therapist. The positive effects of massage are believed to be more visible when using oil.
These developments then allow premature babies who are given massage therapy to recover faster and can go home soon.
Come on, Mother, optimize the benefits of baby massage so that your little one sleeps better and is no longer fussy.
