• Published by Mezia Mujahidah  

Massage For Babies, Is It Beneficial?

For mothers in Indonesia, massaging their babies is a common and even important thing to do. Massaging babies is usually done after the baby turns one month old. In Indonesia, mothers usually entrust the massage of their children to massage therapists. So that the baby is more relaxed or when he is sick (usually related to mystical matters) is the goal of mothers to massage their babies to masseuse. By using various kinds of oils and aromas that are usually strong with the aroma of eucalyptus, the baby will be massaged by a masseuse. And not infrequently in the process of this massage, the baby will cry loudly. This will be considered normal, because babies should cry when massaged. That is the perspective of mothers in Indonesia, especially in areas or outskirts of cities.

So, how do doctors see the benefits of massage for this baby? Pediatrician from FKUI, dr. Bernie Endyarni Medise, Sp A(K), MPH, said "Doing baby massage is important. But there's no need to go to a dukun," he said. According to him, just giving a light massage to the baby, the mother doesn't need to ask for the help of a traditional healer or a baby masseuse. Because a light massage can be done by the mother to the baby in the right and right way. There are many benefits and advantages when the mother or father massages the baby himself. One of them is to train emotional closeness between parents and children. During the massage process, you can have a happy conversation with your child and arrange pleasant facial expressions and gentle massage, so that your child does not feel pain or discomfort when massaged.

From a medical standpoint, baby massage does provide a myriad of benefits for babies. The benefits of this baby massage can be obtained by mothers and fathers when doing it at home, not only by professionals at baby care or baby spas. To benefit from this baby massage, parents must do it gently and carefully, adapted to the baby's muscles and skin surface which is much thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. 

If done correctly, massage for babies can provide many benefits for the baby. One of them is to make the baby feel calmer and safer. Massage on babies can stimulate the central nervous system. Physical touch to a baby will send a signal to his brain to produce more endorphins and serotonin, which are hormones that can make him feel happier and more comfortable. So, if your baby shows discomfort and is calm when getting a massage, maybe the massage can be stopped temporarily. Another benefit is that it can facilitate digestion in babies, because the comfort it gives when the baby is massaged, especially in the stomach, will make the baby's digestion run smoother. 

Other research on the benefits of massage for babies, especially those done after a night bath, can make their sleep cycles more regular. This means that the baby will sleep more at night and be more active during the day. Babies who are regularly massaged are known to have higher melatonin levels. Naturally, the body will produce the hormone melatonin when it gets dark. Melatonin is what makes the body sleepy. The better you sleep at night, the more melatonin is released. Apart from that, baby massage is also beneficial in making the baby's body relax, so that it is easier for our baby to sleep soundly.

To get the abundant benefits of this baby massage, of course the father and mother must do it properly and correctly apart from doing baby massage at a trusted baby spa, of course. When you want to massage your baby, lay him on a towel or blanket and place a baby pillow under his head. Use baby oil or baby cream, then rub it in your palms until they feel warm. After that, mom and dad can start the massage by rubbing their little one's hands and feet, rubbing their little one's legs and calves in a circular motion from the groin direction. Then massage your little one's hands, massage your baby's head and face in a clockwise direction. During this massaging process, mom and dad can tell stories and hum. Touch your little one gently and avoid pressing and tickling because it will cause discomfort to your little one. Don't forget to always consult doctors and professionals regarding this matter.

By: Mezia Dewi Pratiwi, S.Pd from the BehaviorPals center

Bibliography

https://fk.ui.ac.id/infosehat/memijat-bayi-ntak-perlu-ke-dukun-pijat-kata-dokter/

https:// www.alodokter.com/ketahui-beragai-benefits-massage-baby

massage, babies

Baby 6 Months - 18 Months / Bayi 6 - 18 Bulan / Physical Development / Tumbuh Kembang Fisik / Health / Kesehatan / Massage For Babies, Is it Beneficial

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