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What is Infant Massage?
Infant massage, a gentle rhythmic practice where a parent strokes or holds their baby with love, stems from a rich history and practice. Touch-based nurturing care is a longstanding tradition across different cultures around the world, including in Asia, Africa and Oceania, and was brought to Western awareness largely through Vimala McClure, the founder of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), after she encountered it in northern India in the 1970s.
Over many years, the IAIM’s structured programme was developed by drawing on Indian and Swedish massage traditions, alongside yoga and reflexology, a programme which is now taught by IAIM-certified instructors worldwide. In classes, parents use a natural oil and learn a sequence of gentle strokes to massage and hold their baby, and spend time discussing related topics.
Infant massage supports babies to feel secure, lovingly cared for and valued, and can also help improve relaxation and sleep, and reduce emotional distress. Furthermore, consistent nurturing touch supports development, body awareness and coordination, and can ease some common discomforts, such as colic, wind and constipation, and the unsettled moments that often accompany teething.
As a parent, massaging your baby can provide a dedicated pocket of time for relaxed one-to-one interaction, and can support a better understanding of baby’s cues and communication, build confidence and deepen the sense of bonding and closeness with your baby. Though baby massage starts in infancy, it is a life-long parenting skill that lasts well beyond the baby stage.