Massage isn't just beneficial for adults, but for babies too. It can help with everything from congestion to constipation. Now a new class is being offered at Carilion for new parents.
Kristen McNamara is a new mother who learned infant massage and she now uses the techniques on her baby son Adam. "He lights up. He smiles. You can tell he's enjoying it," McNamara said as she rubbed her baby boy Adam's tiny toes. "He gets very excited when we do massage."
McNamara demonstrated several different massage techniques. Each has a different purpose. Some routines are strictly for bonding including one move called "Open Heart" and another called "Cross Your Heart." Both involve moving the hands over the baby's chest and shoulders.
Physical Therapist and Certified Infant Massage Teacher Lisa Belderes explained that these moves are meant to help mother and baby bond. She said it's different than swaddling.
"It's much different because when you get that skin to skin contact you feel the mother's warmth of her hands on the baby," Belderes said. "The mother gets up close (to baby) with the mother's scent. It's just not the same as when you have a blanket separating you from your baby's skin."
"Just the bonding alone and reading his cues better as a mom," makes it worthwhile, according to new mother Megan Harrison who uses the techniques on her infant. "I found it very beneficial."
Some massage techniques are meant to help ease a baby's constipation. Other routines can help with teething, congestion and helping a baby sleep, Belderes explained.
Mother Amy Kageals uses infant massage to help her little boy go to sleep at night. "He was a fussy baby and after bath the massage helps calm him down and ease him into that nice state for sleep," Kageals said. "It just helps with that transition for him beautifully."
Massage can also improve blood circulation and muscle tone as well as help with a baby's neurological development, Belderes said, however, she said the biggest benefit is the bonding between a child and parent.
Massage isn't used until a baby is four weeks old. The four one hour sessions allow Belderes to teach moms how to do it right.
"You don't want to be too light or too rough which is why we practice with your baby there so I can go around and show the moms how hard to push," said Belderes. "So they aren't pushing too hard or pushing too light and tickling their babies."
Meanwhile as new mom Kristen McNamara massages baby Adam's legs he begins to kick and smile. "He loves it," McNamara said. "He absolutely loves it."
Carilion Infant Massage Class
Cost:
$75 for parents/baby Four sessions over a four week period.
Payment Options:
cash, check, credit card
Registration Information:
Registration is required by calling 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482.
