A ten minute massage, two or three times a week helps make a more confident parent-infant relationship, babies love it and it can help alleviate baby ailments too. You will probably ask yourself, do babies actually need massage? Surely they are supple, relaxed and do not seem to face the stresses that make us knotted and tense. Lorraine Tolley of The Guild of Infant & Child Massage explains that not every baby knows how to relax: "Many babies are fussy, disorganised and have colic, cry a lot or sleep poorly. Massage can help with all these problems." 

Massage can begin from the day the baby is born, but many parents start later having been taught by health professionals or having been on a course

Massage is an excellent way of connecting with your baby if you are a working mum. A short massage each night before bath time can help your baby feel loved

Massage can alleviate trapped wind, soothe colic or alleviate constipation

Massaging the jaw can relax a baby who has just begun to take solids

Massaging the gums through the skin may ease the pain of teething

A face massage can unblock baby's blocked nose

Massage can alleviate the effects of postnatal depression and help mother have a more positive interaction with their baby

The benefits of infant massage for your child

Smoothes transition from womb to the world

Develops baby's first language: touch

Teaches positive loving touch

Develops a feeling of being loved, respected and secure

Develops body, mind, awareness and coordination

Can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation

Helps to regulate and strengthen baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systems

Promotes relaxation

Can help to reduce 'fussiness' and improve quality of sleep

Improves skin condition

The benefits of infant massage for parents 

Helps parent to understand baby's non-verbal communication

Enhances parent's confidence and competence in dealing with baby

Can help with postnatal depression

Both parents and baby relax together

Promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones)

Promotes nurturing instinct (through stimulation of hormone oxytocin) 

(From The Guild of Infant & Child Massage website, www.gicm.org.uk, 2005)