I remember a friend in high school told me how much she loved head massages. Because they reminded her of how her parents would put her to sleep as a child. Also, I have memories of my own. My grandfather’s Reiki practice consisted of rubbing my and my siblings’ feet if we were sick. Massage is definitely one of the love languages. It has many benefits for children throughout their lives. Of course many adults love massage. However, these are 5 benefits of massage for children.
Starting at Birth: Skin to Skin Helps Infant Development
When I had my baby I learned about something called skin to skin contact. It consists of placing a newborn baby onto the naked bosom of the mother (or father). This technique is used right after a baby is born. Some of the many benefits of this method include:
- Regulating body temperature/breathing and heart beat.
- Calms and relaxes both the mother and baby.
- Stimulates hormones in the mother for breastfeeding/bonding.
Fathers can also do skin to skin contact. Not only does it provide the same relaxation/body regulation for the baby. It also helps the father feel more protective and confident as a father.
5 Benefits of Massage For Children
Much like adults, massage benefits children’s physical as well as emotional development. Research has shown that HIV positive babies who were massaged have shown an increase in weight, decreased stress behavior and increase in motor skills.
Massage is thought to do the following 5 Benefits for Children:
1. Reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
2. Relaxes and helps improve quality of sleep.
3. Strengthens the immune system.
4. Helps academic performance.
5. Promotes growth and development.
Massage Opens up The Convo on “Good vs. Bad Touch”
Child safety is a priority of mine. Specifically how to protect children from predators which could be people you know. Another benefit of massage is introducing children to the idea of “good touch and bad touch”. Children can identify the security of good touch. And introducing them to the concept that there is bad touch as well can help protect them.
Also, this can open the topic of consent. You can always make sure your child knows that he/she is in charge of his/her own body. Permission should be asked for age appropriate children.
When I was a kid was to use the term “where your bathing suit covers” when talking about inappropriate areas. So another conversation would be to talk about “Oh yeah mama gives you a massage on your head, your hand, your arms. But people shouldn’t be touching where your bathing suit covers.”
Massage Makes Memories
As stated above, massage is a way to make happy memories with your children. There are many benefits but these are 5 benefits of massage for children. And as always, I hope you Remember 2 Savor these memories.
