Baby massage and dads .....

I love to see dads sign up for a baby massage course. I often find that dads who support their partners during hypnobirthing are very keen to join a course but baby massage is something that helps all dads to build paternal-child bonds.

There are lots of ways that dads can enhance bonding with their babies - from nappy changing, feeding, baby wearing and bathing them but baby massage is something that bit extra special.

A *study in 2000 from the Touch Reseach Institute in Miami found that dads who massaged their babies were “more expressive and showed more enjoyment and more warmth during floor-play interactions with their infants”. Dads also experienced increased self-esteem as a parent and babies tended to have more direct eye contact with their dads, smiled at them and vocalised more.

If a father forms a bond with their baby early on its life, then the chances for a strong, healthy relationship throughout their lives is increased.

If you took a hypnobirthing course, you’ll be very familiar with the hormone, Oxytocin - it’s also known as the love hormone and huge amounts of this are released when a woman gives birth and when she breastfeeds. Dads that massage their baby will also find that Oxytocin increases for both themselves and their baby through the nurturing, skin to skin contact.

When you sit down and prepare to massage your baby, you will be close enough to maintain eye contact, baby will be able to recognise their dad’s familiar smell, their voice and their touch. 

During the massage, you will be communicating with your baby by talking to them or singing to them and all the ‘feel good’ hormones including Oxytocin, Dopamine and Serotonin will be released. You’ll both be feeling relaxed and will be spending quality one-to-one time together.

All of this helps to increase your self confidence as a parent as you learn to understand your baby’s non-verbal communication cues and understand your baby’s language.

This doesn’t, of course, just apply to dads as the benefits of baby massage can be enjoyed by mums and anyone that has a close, caring connection with your baby. Deep emotional bonds are experienced through nurturing touch and baby massage can enhance this connection.

So why not grab a bit of mum-time and book baby’s dad onto an IAIM baby massage course? You won’t regret it!

*Cullen, C., Field, T., Escalona, A. & Hartshorn, K. (2000). Father-infant interactions are enhanced by massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care, 164, 41-47.