Touch the Fact

Dad Makes a Difference: Study Shows Infant Massage Bonds Fathers and Newborns

More and more fathers are learning and practising infant massage. A recent survey reveals those who massage their babies early in childhood establish a warm, positive relationship that continues as the child grows.

While the benefits on infant health brought by mother's massage are already firmly established, new research shows that a father's touch is equally essential to a baby's health and well-being. Health benefits for infants include fewer sleep problems, as well as strengthening and regulating the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems. Fathers also gain from the experience in performing infant massage.

"As they learn to soothe their babies, fathers notice their own stress levels are lessened. Together, they experience the calming power of touch, and begin to build life-long attachments," said Tiffany Field, PhD, Director of Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and co-author of a survey on father-infant massage.

The survey reveals that fathers who used massage techniques on infants for three months experienced increased parental self-esteem, due to increased involvement with their newborns. Meanwhile, the babies greeted their fathers with more eye contact, smiling, vocalizing and reaching responses.

In addition to the Touch Research Institutes, a growing number of hospitals have recognized that infant massage is one crucial way in giving fathers more sense of purpose and place in their babies?lives. Boston Medical Center encourages fathers to play a hands-on role during labour, and after the baby is born. "Too often, all the attention is being given to mothers, while fathers are left standing in the corner," says Susan O'Brien, M.D. of Boston Medical Center. "We give fathers a purpose and a place."

"Touch" is the primary means of learning about the world throughout infancy. Research shows that touch is critical in a baby's growth and development. Previous study showed that premature infants who received a series of 15-minute massage gained 47% more weight, and became more socially responsive than non-massaged premature infants. They were discharged from the hospital an average of six days earlier than other premature babies.

Important facts to keep in mind when massaging your infant:

• Infant massage is easy to learn, and is convenient to perform in any setting
• Take cues from the baby, particularly on the timing and duration of the massage
• Apply firm but gentle pressure
• Infant massage can be more effective in soothing a baby than rocking or walking
• Touch is crucial to the physical and mental well-being of fathers and babies

A father's touch in infant massage also helps in giving Mom a break. In fact, expectant mothers can benefit directly from massage given by the father-to-be. Touch Research Institutes studies found that mothers who received massage from their partners during pregnancy and labour experienced less stress and shorter periods of labour, need fewer medications, and had less chance of undergoing premature labour.

Abstract Reviews

Touch Hong Kong

Dr. Miguel Angel Diego (left) and Dr. Albert Martin Li (right) exchange their views with the audience, and led to further valuable discussion.

The Symposium attracted a diverse range of healthcare practitioners to attend.

Designed to provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to learn and exchange the most updated knowledge of Touch Therapy, Johnson & Johnson, with the support of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Midwives Association, and the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff, held the Touch Symposium on 12 May, 2006. It is the first of its kind in Hong Kong, and attracted a diverse range of healthcare practitioners to attend, including professors, doctors, midwives, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers.

The Symposium was most honoured to have Dr Miguel Angel Diego from University of Miami School of Medicine, TRI, share with local healthcare practitioners recent findings in Touch. He presented two topics in the Symposium. One of his talks focused on the effects of prenatal depression. Another focused on massage therapy for pregnant women and premature infants. The findings are both significant and insightful.

Another important subject in baby growth is infant sleep. How touch helps infant sleep is what many paediatricians are most concerned with. The Symposium was honoured to have Dr Albert Martin Li from Chinese University of Hong Kong, an expert in paediatric sleep, share with the audience valuable knowledge of infant sleep and touch.

On top of the Symposium, two Train-the-Trainer workshops were conducted. Dr Diego from TRI was invited as our honourable instructor. A total of 50 healthcare professionals were trained, and became qualified touch trainers from both workshops.

Through co-operating with different healthcare associations, Johnson's Baby will continue to offer comprehensive training to healthcare professionals in being instructors of baby massage. If you would like to learn more about future classes, simply call us at 2737 5576. For more details of Touch Symposium 2006, check out 'Touch Symposium Highlights'.

Touch Highlights

Dr Miguel Angel Diego from Touch Research Institutes was invited as instructor of Hong Kong Train-the-Trainer programme between 11-12 May, 2006. During the lectures, he summarized key points in performing infant massage.

Massage Guidelines

Do -

• Ensure that it is a good time for both you and the infant.
• Conduct the massage according to what the infant wants. If you see that the infant has had enough, stop regardless of how much massage you managed to get through.
• Wait for an hour after feeding.
• Use a mild baby oil or body lotion.

Don't -

• Never massage the infant when crying, or becomes irritable.
• Never massage infants under 5 months of age in conjunction with bath time. It will lead to over-stimulation.

Preterm Infant Massage

The massage therapy should consist of 5-minute tactile stimulation, 5-minute kinesthetic stimulation, followed by another 5-minute tactile stimulation.

Tactile Stimulation

Consists of moderate pressure strokes to the head, shoulders, back and limbs.

Head - 6 strokes with the palm. From crown to neck, and back to crown.

Shoulder - 6 strokes with two fingers from each hand. From middle of back to arms, and return to middle.

Back - 6 strokes with two fingers from each hand. From neck to waist, and return to neck. Make sure it is conducted on the sides of the spine, not on top of the spine.

Legs - 6 strokes with two fingers from one hand. One leg at a time. From ankles to top of thigh, and back to ankles.

Arms - 6 strokes with two fingers from one hand. One arm at a time. From wrist up to shoulder, and back to wrist.

Kinesthetic Stimulation

Consists of flexion and extension of the limbs.

Arms - 6 movements each arm. One arm at a time. Hold arm at wrist, and bend at elbow.

Legs - 6 movements each leg. One leg at a time. Hold at ankle, and bend at knee. Then, both legs together. Hold at ankles, and bend at knees.