Premature babies are exposed to many forms of stress while during their stay in intensive care nurseries, such as invasive procedures, blood drawing, bright lights and loud noises. Stress can interfere with their immune system’s functioning and render them more susceptible to infections. Several research studies have demonstrated the positive effects massage therapy has on premature babies. It lowers stress and enhances their immune system’s functioning.

Massage has been used in premature and low birth weight babies to promote growth and development. Before birth, babies are exposed to physical stimulation.

Also, premature and low birth weight babies are often placed in incubators, open beds, attached to numerous monitors that interfere with them being touch as often as full term babies.

The University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute has reported for over twenty years the benefits associated with infant massages. It increases the baby’s resistance to infection by stimulating the immune system. Also, massaged babies experience an accelerated weight gain.

Oxytocin levels are increased by massage. It is a hormone with pain relieving and calming properties.

A review of 14 randomized research studies involving premature and or low birth weight babies was conducted.

It included studies in which one group of babies did not receive massage and were used in comparison to those who did. In the majority of these studies, the babies were stroked or rubbed for about 15 minutes, three or four times a day, for five or ten days. The studies determined the babies receiving massage gained more weight each day (approximately 5 grams). The massaged babies were discharged earlier from the hospital, had slightly higher developmental test scores and fewer complications. The studies did not determine any negative effects of massage. While it is a time consuming process for nurses to provide, parents can perform it without extensive training.

Benefits for Babies:

*Enhances weight gain

*Assists the baby with becoming more organized

*Assists the baby in becoming more alert and interactive with others

*Helps start oral feeding earlier (rather than tube feeding)

*Promotes healthier bones

*Supports infant-parent interaction

* Facilitates weight gain in preterm infants

*Lowers cortisol levels, a major stress hormone

* Increases muscle tone

*Improves sleep and awake patterns

* Shortens lengths of stay in hospitals

*Improves motor and cognitive development at 8 months of age

* Infant massage is an inexpensive tool

*Can be incorporated as a part of the premature infant’s developmental care plan.

Benefits for Parents and Caregivers

* Provides the essential elements of intimate parent-infant bonding and attachment: eye to eye, touch smell movement, and temperature regulation

* Encourages pre-verbal communication between caregiver and infant

*Helps parents feel more competent and confident in caring for their children

* Helps parents to ease their stress if they are a working parent and must be separated from their children for extended periods during the day

* Provides parents with one-on-one quiet time or interactive play with their children

* Creates a regular time of infancy between child and parent

* Enhances parents’ self esteem by reinforcing and complimenting their parenting skills, and validates their role

* Gives parents the tools for understanding their child’s unique behavior and patterns

* Teaches parents how to read their infants’ cues and recognize their states of awareness

Gives parents a precious way to interact with their children who may be hospitalized. It helps parents to feel a greater part of the healing process

* Daily massage helps parents to unwind and relax

* Provides a positive way for fathers to interact with their infants/children

Learn more about holistic family health. Stop by Dr. Elaine Ferguson’s site where you can find out all about infant massage and what it can do for you.