In recent times, we have found that aromatherapy and massage is very beneficial to an infant. Aromatherapy and massage have been proven to help ease colic, teething, sleep, constipation, restlessness, gas, excessive crying, cradle cap, nappy rash and other common skin conditions in an infant. There are also some other common conditions that an infant or young child can suffer from, these are special needs, medical conditions and allergies. There are a variety of essential oils you can use, but there are only a selected few oils that you can use with a baby.
Massage Oil with Essential Oils
It is important to remember that a baby’s body and immune system is still growing in their first weeks of life up till 12 months of age. It is recommended that essential oils are NOT to be used on babies 0-6 months of age.
Once a baby reaches 6 months plus, then it is safe to introduce some essential oils. Baby safe oils include: Chamomile Roman, Chamomile German, Lavender, Geranium, Yarrow and Dill.
Children with special needs may include children with Down Syndrome, children with Sensory Impairments and children with Cerebral Palsy. Children with Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy often have low muscle tone, which massage can help to develop.Children who have a special need have some type of sensory difficultly, a child can be highly sensitive or insensitive to touch. Depending on their ‘sensory integration’ they either need light or deep pressure. (pg.56 Baby Massage the Calming Power of Touch. 2004)
Massage & Special Needs
Children who are sensory or visually impaired can also benefit from aromatherapy and massage. According to Dr Alan Heath and Nicki Bainbride, (2004) massage helps children who are visually impaired to build a picture of the world around them, because being touched teaches them to touch, and touch helps them explore their surroundings. A visually impaired child’s body awareness also increases through massage, they learn how long their arms and legs are and gain a better idea of their body shape. (pg.56 Baby Massage the Calming Power of Touch. 2004) Dr Alan Heath and Nicki Bainbride also state, massage allows children with cerebral palsy to experience movements they cannot make alone, and increases their body-awareness. Each child’s requirements are unique, so speaking to your child’s physical therapist to establish how massage can enhance the work done in the sessions.
Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy
Babies born with down syndrome or cerebral palsy have low muscle tone. Massage can help to develop muscle tone. Massage can also help to increase body awareness; this is also great for children that may be visually impaired. It is recommended if your baby has a special need to seek professional help from a doctor and physiotherapist and specialise in this particular area and can tailer to your individual needs.
Sensory Impairments
Babies who are born with sensory impairments can include tactile sensations and visual impairments. Massage can help calm and over stimulated baby realising oxytocin hormones to feel calm and relaxed. For a baby who is visual impaired, touch is a way that they can explore the world around them with their surroundings. With touch through massage a visually impaired child will learn the length of their body such as arms and legs through touch.
Sound can also be another common sensory impairment. Through massage you can help to stimulate your baby’s hearing by telling them what you are doing when you massage, by being able to help link words and sounds to your actions.
Medical Conditions
A baby can be born with a vast range of medical conditions which could be a natural occurrence for when the baby was growing in the womb or could be a hereditary condition. Depending on the severity of the condition, you should always seek medical advice before performing massage.
Premature Babies
Massage is beneficial to a baby who has been incubated after birth as the baby has not had any physical contact and connection through touch. After birth touching and stroking helps create the bonding process. In hospitals, medical staff are encouraged to help mothers with this process. It has been seen that this process helps mothers feel calm and cope better with their babies and benefits their infant also.
In fact, a baby who has been incubated needs the form of touch through massage just as more than any other baby, as unfortunately due to certain circumstances of the baby’s life being in danger at birth the baby has been taken away, so the direct contact that the baby and their mother would usually have and share after birth has been lost. So, after the baby is released from the incubator massage is very important and beneficial to the baby and the mother and father to help the bonding process of touch and overall health. This is known as ‘touch therapy’.
This does not just affect the mother; it can also affect the baby’s farther. Fathers can become overwhelmed with the new process and trying to figure out their role and how the effect of a baby can change their family lifestyle. Fathers who also provide massage to their infant have the same profound benefits as the baby’s mother and the connection between their baby and themselves will grow and that bond will be formed. As soon as a parent feels confident in massaging their baby with gentle strokes that is when the real bond is made.
There are many benefits that any baby can receive from massage. Not only is massage for pleasure but it also supports and helps having a healthy effect on the overall system of the body, whether it is physical, mental, or emotional.
Massage is important as it increases the awareness and natural response and instinct to touch. Touch is part of our natural being and survival. Massage helps increase the natural process with many beneficial factors following on the overall body. A baby’s love and humanity begin with touch from the first few minutes from birth.
The closest physical contact a baby can have after birth is the touch of ‘in arms’ period. This helps the baby to become aware, safe, and acquainted to the new world about them. Quite often babies enjoy being rocked and respond to this well, as it reminds them of the sensation from when they were in utero. A baby’s first form of touch is when they are inside their mother’s womb.
Everyday Care
When caring for your baby, massage can easily become part of your everyday routine. Just as you would bath and feed your baby is an essential part of well-being so is the need for love, affection and touch. Massage allows time for you and your baby to connect and be in the present moment together.
Remember whenever you perform massage on your baby for enjoyment of relaxation always ask and perform the Permission Sequence. Gaining your baby’s permission is of up most importance and teaching them about the importance of positive touch.