13/F, Tower 1, Grand Century Place, 193 Prince Edward Road West,
Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2738 2880 Fax: (852) 2628 3229
TOUCH CONNECTION
Spring 2006 Issue 02
PDF Version

From The Editor

Johnson's Baby Touch Program has just reached its 10th year in Asia, and a conference was held in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate the 10th anniversary. Key opinion leaders and paediatric experts in baby massage from over 10 countries attended, and shared the latest clinical data on Touch therapy. We bring you an overview of this symposium, and take a closer look at the influence and development in various countries in the column 'Touch Worldwide'.

While other countries are working on the education of baby massage, it is also becoming increasingly popular in Hong Kong. Apart from baby massage classes, 'Touch Wonderland', a valuable tool in the introduction of baby massage to mothers, now appears in more and more hospitals. Read more in the column 'Touch Hong Kong'.

Scientific research helps us better understand and discover the benefits of baby massage. In 'Abstract Reviews', we selected several significant papers that you may find interest in for further reading.

The benefits of baby massage are well recognised and received in paediatrics. While performing, certain key points are worth paying particular attention. In 'Touch Highlights', we summarize some key reminders so that you and your clients can master it.

Last but not least, if you would like to share any research materials on baby massage, or any other comments, you are welcome to contact us at 2738 2880, or write to us at Mother's College, Johnson & Johnson.

Touch Worldwide

To celebrate the Program's 10th anniversary in Asia Pacific, a regional Touch Symposium was held in Malaysia last October. Reputable experts were invited to speak on the developments of baby massage in their respective countries. Dr Henry Au-Yeung, representing Hong Kong, further exchanged viewpoints with experts from other countries. Highlights from the symposium are included as follows. If you wish to learn more details, simply call or email us.

China
 The concept of baby massage for health benefits began in China in 1995, when 250 experts from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, among other cities, collaborated and introduced this new practice to perinatology. In 1998, baby massage was recommended by the Chinese Nursing Association and the Paediatrics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. A number of conferences on touch and its beneficial effects on paediatric growth have since convened in China.

Currently, there is widespread consensus among practitioners of Touch therapy that touch is as important as food to a baby's development. Touch is the very first, original sense that humans establish; with human skin as the largest sensory organ in the body, it is unsurprising that touch is considered one of the most primary needs.

Indonesia
 Traditional infant massage has long been practised in Indonesia. Modern infant massage techniques were introduced back in 1997. Indonesia has seen a flurry of activities in the promotion of touch in 2005. Numerous training sessions and lectures for healthcare professionals and consumers have been carried out. A competition to encourage clinical research on infant massage was also launched in early 2005.

Malaysia
 In 1997, the Asian Congress of Paediatrics took place in Hong Kong. In the same year, a training workshop on Touch therapy was conducted in Manila. These two events were instrumental in igniting interest and awareness about the scientific benefits of infant massage in Malaysia, leading to the creation of the country's first Touch program. The medical arm of the Touch program has sparked off more workshops that train healthcare professionals on the clinical implications of touch, and the techniques of preterm and full-term infant massage. The consumer arm of the Touch program includes brochures, advertorials and other educational measures, created using various media to disseminate information on the benefits of touch.

With massage, parents observed that their babies enjoyed various benefits such as better sleep and appetite, increased alertness and activity, less crying and improved soothability.

The Philippines
 Touch therapy, which has been practised in the Philippines since 1995, continue with further research initiatives, exploring its effects in comatose infants and children, abused children, children with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, adolescents and patients with leukaemia.

Singapore
 Awareness of infant massage was spurred into action with the launch of the Singapore Touch program in 1997. Through this initiative, infant massage seminars and workshops for healthcare professionals, as well as public forums have been conducted over the years.

In Singapore, baby massage is especially targeted at low birth weight babies, infants on nasal continuous positive airway pressure, and babies with neonatal chronic lung disease, among other conditions, to achieve better clinical outcome.

Touch therapy has now become a regular feature in support groups for parents with low birth weight babies, and in polyclinics across the country, infant care centres, community clubs and centres.

Taiwan
 The number of postnatal care centres in Taiwan is steadily increasing, which presents an excellent opportunity to broaden the benefits of Touch therapy. Parents are highly motivated to learn such measures, and they enjoy more interaction with their infants during the postnatal period.

Further Touch therapy measures include educating prenatal mothers about the benefits of touch; introducing touch lectures for parents in the community; and educating breastfeeding trainers to provide at-home training sessions for mothers on the benefits and methods of Touch therapy.

Thailand
 The long history of massage in Thailand has been passed from one generation to the next through education and practice. Clinical interest in the benefits of infant massage has undergone a recent boost in the country, following results from a number of local studies.

In 2003, Touch therapy was established, and is associated with significantly improved maternal-child attachment and bonding. A year later, local studies indicated that massage could be a significant therapeutic modality for pain in preterm infants.

Touch Hong Kong

As Dr Henry Au-Yeung pointed out at the Regional Touch Symposium, Touch Program today has attained a breakthrough in Hong Kong. While educational materials using various media have been created to disseminate information on the benefits and steps of baby massage, a variety of events and exhibitions have also been held to promote the public awareness of Touch therapy.

To arouse the interest of mothers and families in baby massage, Touch Wonderland was created. Cartoon characters are featured to disseminate massage information. It is currently being used in numerous hospitals. If you would like to incorporate the fun and colours of baby massage in your hospital, clinic or centre, simply let us know.

Abstract Reviews

Touch Perception in Neonates
Maria Hernandez-Reif, phD
Tiffany Field, PhD
Miguel Diego, MA
 Touch Research Institutes
University of Miami School of Medicine

Abstract

Sucking and grasping behaviours occur in utero. This chapter presents data suggesting that such behaviours exhibited by newborns are more than just reflexive responses. Studies involving the handling and mouthing of objects by neonates indicate that newborns clutch or grasp objects presented to them, and suck on objects that provide no nutritional value. Newborns, it has been determined, distinguish between objects, perceiving differences in hardness, texture, weight, shape and temperature. Thus, it appears that infants explore objects actively with their hands and mouths, using behaviours similar to those exhibited by adults, attempting to perceive the properties of specific objects. Future studies should explore further the touch and perception abilities of neonates.
Differences Across Cultural Groups in Mothers' Nonverbal Teaching Methods
 Mary Martini, PhD
 Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study described in this chapter was to determine how mothers used touch to "teach" their infants; that is, to help direct their attention and shape their actions. The study also examined the changes in mothers' preferred teaching methods from infancy through toddlerhood, and described the cultural differences in nonverbal teaching strategies. Mothers in 4 American cultural groups - Caucasian, Japanese, Filipino and Hawaiian - participated in the study, which assessed how individuals in each of these groups touched, held, repositioned and physically interacted with their infants and toddlers (3 months to 36 months of age) during videotaped mealtimes, and how they organized the mealtime setting. The teaching methods used by different groups and the results of this study are explored in detail in this chapter.

Touch Highlights

Professor Tiffany M. Field, Founding Director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, conducted a study on whether the use of oil could enhance the positive effects of massage. Therapists responded that massaging infants with oil is more effective than without oil.

As shown in the research, infants who received massage with oil: 1) spent less time being active; 2) spent less time showing stress behaviour; 3) spent less time head averting; 4) had their saliva cortisol levels decreased more during massage; and 5) showed a larger increase in vagal tone during massage, although the baseline vagal tone levels need to be corrected for initial level effects as the no oil group had higher baseline values.

The greater effectiveness of massage with oil versus no oil is probably not surprising, given that the lubricity of oil induces less friction between the therapist and the infant. With oil, the stroking movements can become smoother and more rhythmic, which may further enhance the effects inasmuch as infants are readily soothed / pacified by rhythmic stimulation.

The findings suggest that massage, especially with oil, can reduce the stress levels of normal infants. When applying oil, you should remind your clients certain key points:

  1. Oil should be poured onto the hands of the massager first, then massage gently onto the baby's skin. Check whether the baby is allergic to the product. Use one with Clinically Proven Mildness guarantee.

  2. Normally, baby oil is preferable to lotion as lotion is readily absorbed by the infant's skin, and must be reapplied more frequently. However, if the infant has dry skin, a gentle baby lotion may be used instead to help soften the skin.

  3. If massage is applied before bedtime, baby lotion with extracts of lavender could be considered. It helps gently soothe and relax the baby.

  4. Oiling baby may be slippery. Hence, the massager should pay extra attention when picking up the baby.