Infant Mental Health: Ritual of Massage

Brand new to this physical experience outside the womb, newborns are faced with sounds, smells and sensations that begin to build their understanding of the world, and what to expect from it. Our skin is the body's largest sensory organ and touch is the first sense to develop in utero. 

Nourishing rituals performed during the highly sensitive time frame of birth to three years, have lasting effects on the architecture of the brain, promoting  lifelong health and well-being.

Infant massage is the art of nonverbal communication that helps to strengthen connections between baby and caregiver. Secure attachment is essential for optimal growth and positive life outcomes. The attachment bond plays a critical factor in the way your infant’s brain organizes itself from bottom to top. The sequence of this organization influences your child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical development (McClure, 2017).

Understanding our little ones can be challenging at times. Crying is one of the limited ways they are able to communicate during the early stages. Infants and toddlers depend on us to decode the cues and adequately respond to their needs, while identifying and minimizing stressors. 

Babies cry to let us know that they have a need or feel pain or discomfort. They could be cold, hungry, under/over stimulated, hypersensitive to sounds or smells, tired or gassy. Despite our best efforts a child may just be more prone to crying as they learn about the world. When parents can better interpret their infants cry as well as changes in appearance and behavior, they can feel more confident when responding to their needs.