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[[File:Babymassage.jpg|thumb|Infant massage]]
'''Infant massage''' is [[massage]] given to a young [[infant]]s involving [[Haptic communication|tactile]] and [[kinesthetic]] stroke and rubbing stimulation as a [[therapy]] to enhance their [[cognitive development|cognitive]] and [[physical development]]. Such contact is also found in other [[mammal]]s where the [[mother]] provides tactile stimulation as part of their care through [[licking]], [[grooming]], and physical contact. Infant massage is widespread in traditional societies. Research finds that massage enhances [[neural development]] and [[body growth]] in [[rodent]]s and [[human]]s and is particularly important for [[preterm infant]]s.
'''Infant massage''' is a type of [[complementary and alternative medicine|complementary and alternative treatment]] that uses [[massage therapy]] for babies. Evidence is insufficient to support its use in either full term or preterm babies to achieve physical growth.<ref name=Cat2013/><ref name = Vickers/>
==BenefitsHistory==
[[Ayurvedic medicine]] in [[History of India|ancient India]] taught the use of infant massage.<ref>Johari H. (1996). Ayurvedic Massage: Traditional Indian Techniques for Balancing Body and Mind. Inner Traditions Bear and Company. {{ISBN |978- 08928148930-89281-489-3}}</ref> It was also has been encouraged in [[China]] sinceduring the [[Qing dynasty]].<ref>Furth C. (1987). Concepts of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infancy in Ch'ing Dynasty China. Journal of Asian Studies, 46:7-35. {{JSTOR|2056664}}</ref> At present it is part of traditional childcare in South Asia and elsewhere where daily massage by mothers is seen as "instilling fearlessness, hardening bone structure, enhancing movement and limb coordination, and increasing weight" .<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Reissland | first1 = N | last2 = Burghart | first2 = R | title = The role of massage in south Asia: child health and development. | journal = Social scienceScience & medicine (1982)Medicine | volume = 25 | issue = 3 | pages = 231–9 | year = 1987 | pmid = 3629298 | doi = 10.1016/0277-9536(87)90226-7 }}</ref> SuchOther massageareas oftenwhere usedinfant potentiallymassage unsafeis regularly mustardused oilare thoughAfrican publiccountries educationand isareas now encouragingin the useformer of[[Soviet safe alternativesUnion]]. <ref>{{cite journal |In last1Western =culture, Mullanyinfant |massage first1has =been LCincreasingly |used last2in =[[neonatal Darmstadtintensive |care first2unit]]s =for GLpre-term |infants last3who = Khatry | first3 = SK | last4 = Tielsch | first4 = JM | title = Traditional massage of newbornsare in Nepal:stressful implicationsenvironments forand trialshave of improved practice.limited [[Touch| tactile]] url = http://wwwstimulation. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1317296/pdf/nihms5548.pdf | journal<ref name= "Vickers" Journal of tropical pediatrics | volume = 51 | issue = 2 | pages = 82–6 | year = 2005 | pmid = 15677372 | pmc = 1317296 | doi = 10.1093/ tropej/fmh083 }}</ref> ▼===Full term infants===
Full term infants receiving massage therapy show more weight, greater length, less [[irritability]] and better [[sleep]].<ref>Field M, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego L, Feijo Y. Vera Y, Gil K. (1996). Massage therapy by parents improves early growth and development. Infant Behavior & Development 27: 435–442. {{doi|10.1016/j.infbeh.2004.03.004}}</ref> It also reduces [[crying]] and improves an infant's ability to regulate their [[stress hormone]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Underdown | first1 = A | last2 = Barlow | first2 = J | last3 = Chung | first3 = V | last4 = Stewart-Brown | first4 = S | last5 = Underdown | first5 = Angela | title = Massage intervention for promoting mental and physical health in infants aged under six months | journal = Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) | issue = 4 | pages = CD005038 | year = 2006 | pmid = 17054233 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD005038.pub2 }}</ref> Mothers with [[postnatal depression]] that massage their infants reduce their own depression and improve the quality of their [[social interaction]]s with their infants.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0165-0327(00)00198-1 | last1 = Onozawa | first1 = K | last2 = Glover | first2 = V | last3 = Adams | first3 = D | last4 = Modi | first4 = N | last5 = Kumar | first5 = RC. | year = 2001 | title = Infant massage improves mother-infant interaction for mothers with postnatal depression | url = | journal = J Affect Disord | volume = 63 | issue = 1-3| pages = 201–7 | pmid = 11246096 }}</ref>
==Research==
===Preterm infants===
[[Preterm]] newborns receiving massage in [[neonatal intensive-care unit]]s gain more [[body weight]] than those that do not.<ref>Field T. (Ed.). (2004). Touch and massage in early child development. New Brunswick, NJ: Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute. ISBN 978-0931562303</ref> Other benefits include increased [[bone mineralization]], bone density, bone length, and [[head circumference]].<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0022-3476(95)70127-3 | last1 = Moyer-Mileur | first1 = L | last2 = Luetkemeier | first2 = M | last3 = Boomer | first3 = L | last4 = Chan | first4 = GM. | year = 1995 | title = Effect of physical activity on bone mineralization in premature infants | url = | journal = J Pediatr | volume = 127 | issue = 4| pages = 620–5 | pmid = 7562289 }}</ref> They also show higher [[psycho-motor development]] and significantly higher [[Mental Development Index]] scores.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Procianoy | first1 = RS | last2 = Mendes | first2 = EW | last3 = Silveira | first3 = RC | title = Massage therapy improves neurodevelopment outcome at two years corrected age for very low birth weight infants. | journal = Early human development | volume = 86 | issue = 1 | pages = 7–11 | year = 2010 | pmid = 20022717 | pmc = 2889164 | doi = 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2009.12.001 }}</ref> Such massage therapy seems to be more effective when it involves "moderate" pressure than "light" pressure.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Field | first1 = T | last2 = Diego | first2 = MA | last3 = Hernandez-Reif | first3 = M | last4 = Deeds | first4 = O | last5 = Figuereido | first5 = B | title = Moderate versus light pressure massage therapy leads to greater weight gain in preterm infants. | journal = Infant behavior & development | volume = 29 | issue = 4 | pages = 574–8 | year = 2006 | pmid = 17138310 | pmc = 1821345 | doi = 10.1016/j.infbeh.2006.07.011 }}</ref> Such infants also sleep better.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kelmanson | first1 = IA | last2 = Adulas | first2 = EI | title = Massage therapy and sleep behaviour in infants born with low birth weight. | journal = Complementary therapies in clinical practice | volume = 12 | issue = 3 | pages = 200–5 | year = 2006 | pmid = 16835031 | doi = 10.1016/j.ctcp.2005.11.007 }}</ref> The [[body temperature]] of preterm infants increases when given massage compared to controls "even though the incubator portholes remained open during the 15 min massage therapy session but not for the control group over an equivalent time period".<ref name="Diego">{{cite journal | last1 = Diego | first1 = MA | last2 = Field | first2 = T | last3 = Hernandez-Reif | first3 = M | title = Temperature increases in preterm infants during massage therapy. | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2262938/pdf/nihms38569.pdf | journal = Infant behavior & development | volume = 31 | issue = 1 | pages = 149–52 | year = 2008 | pmid = 17692385 | pmc = 2262938 | doi = 10.1016/j.infbeh.2007.07.002 }}</ref> This has been suggested to be due to better control by the infant's brain of its body state and its [[blood circulation]].<ref name="Diego"/> Massage to the leg reduces pain prior to [[heel stick]] venipuncture.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2006.00912.x | last1 = Jain | first1 = S | last2 = Kumar | first2 = P | last3 = McMillan | first3 = DD. | year = 2006 | title = Prior leg massage decreases pain responses to heel stick in preterm babies | url = | journal = J Paediatr Child Health | volume = 42 | issue = 9| pages = 505–8 | pmid = 16925535 }}</ref> Nondepressed mothers also show lower [[anxiety]] if they massage their preterm infants.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Feijó | first1 = L | last2 = Hernandez-Reif | first2 = M | last3 = Field | first3 = T | last4 = Burns | first4 = W | last5 = Valley-Gray | first5 = S | last6 = Simco | first6 = E | title = Mothers' depressed mood and anxiety levels are reduced after massaging their preterm infants. | journal = Infant behavior & development | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 476–80 | year = 2006 | pmid = 17138300 | doi = 10.1016/j.infbeh.2006.02.003 }}</ref> [[Length of stay|Length of stay in hospital]] and occurrence of late-onset [[sepsis]] is also reduced by mothers massaging their preterm infants.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1038/jp.2008.108 | last1 = Mendes | first1 = EW | last2 = Procianoy | first2 = RS. | year = 2008 | title = Massage therapy reduces hospital stay and occurrence of late-onset sepsis in very preterm neonates | url = | journal = J Perinatol | volume = 28 | issue = 12| pages = 815–20 | pmid = 18633421 }}</ref>
A 2013 [[Cochrane review]] of massage therapy for babies less than 6 months of age who were born at term found that the evidence was insufficient to support its use.<ref name=Cat2013>{{Cite journal|last1=Bennett|first1=Cathy|last2=Underdown|first2=Angela|last3=Barlow|first3=Jane|date=2013-04-30|title=Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2013 |issue=4|pages=CD005038|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD005038.pub3|issn=1469-493X|pmid=23633323|pmc=8078453}}</ref> A 2004 Cochrane review looking at massage therapy for pre-term and low birth weight was insufficient to justify its use.<ref name = Vickers>{{cite journal |vauthors=Vickers A, Ohlsson A, Lacy JB, Horsley A |title=Massage for promoting growth and development of preterm and/or low birth-weight infants |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |issue=2 |pages=CD000390 |year=2004 |volume=2004 |pmid=15106151 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD000390.pub2 |editor1-last=Vickers |editor1-first=Andrew|pmc=6956667 }}</ref>
==Mechanisms==
==Proposed mechanisms==
Infants show increased levels of [[insulin]] and [[IGF-1]] in their [[blood serum]] following massage therapy and this links to them gaining extra [[body weight]].<ref name="Field09">{{cite journal | last1 = Field | first1 = T | last2 = Diego | first2 = M | last3 = Hernandez-Reif | first3 = M | last4 = Dieter | first4 = JN | last5 = Kumar | first5 = AM | last6 = Schanberg | first6 = S | last7 = Kuhn | first7 = C | title = Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 increased in preterm neonates following massage therapy. | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2663361/pdf/nihms85763.pdf | journal = Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP | volume = 29 | issue = 6 | pages = 463–6 | year = 2008 | pmid = 18714203 | pmc = 2663361 | doi = 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181856d3b }}</ref> Raised levels of IGF-1 also accelerate [[neural development]] as measured by [[electroencephalography]] activity and [[visual acuity]] in the [[visual cortex]] both in rodents and humans.<ref name="Guzzetta">{{cite journal | author1 = Guzzetta, Andrea | last2 = Baldini | first2 = S | last3 = Bancale | first3 = A | last4 = Baroncelli | first4 = L | last5 = Ciucci | first5 = F | last6 = Ghirri | first6 = P | last7 = Putignano | first7 = E | last8 = Sale | first8 = A | last9 = Viegi | first9 = A | title = Massage Accelerates Brain Development and the Maturation of Visual Function | url = http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/reprint/29/18/6042 | journal = Journal of Neuroscience | volume = 29 | issue = 18 | pages = 6042 | date = 05/06/2009 | pmid = 19420271 | doi = 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5548-08.2009 }}</ref> In the case of rodents [[antagonist]]s to IGF-1 blocks these positive effects of massage.<ref name="Guzzetta"/>
Various mechanisms have been proposed as to suggest how massage therapy might benefit infants. For pre-term infants, it has been suggested that any weight gain may be due to improved metabolic efficiency or by reducing the adverse reaction of stress through decreasing stress behavior or stress hormones.<ref name=Vickers/> Other possible mechanisms include increased [[vagal]] activity and secretion of [[insulin]] and [[gastrin]] as well as improved parent-infant relationships.<ref name=Cat2013 />
Massage decreases right [[frontal EEG asymmetry]] in one-month-old infants of depressed mothers which could act to reduce [[Stress (biology)|stress]].<ref>Jones NA, Field T, Davalos M. (1998). Massage therapy attenuates right frontal EEG asymmetry in one-month-old infants. Infant Behavior and Development, 21: 527-530 {{doi|10.1016/S0163-6383(98)90025-X}}</ref> Enhanced growth might be due to lower [[energy expenditure]] in infants receiving massage therapy.<ref>{{cite journal | author1 = Lahat, Sharon | last2 = Mimouni | first2 = FB | last3 = Ashbel | first3 = G | last4 = Dollberg | first4 = S | title = Energy Expenditure in Growing Preterm Infants Receiving Massage Therapy | url = http://www.jacn.org/cgi/reprint/26/4/356 | journal = Journal of the American College of Nutrition | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = 356 | date = 08/01/2007 | pmid = 17906188 }}</ref>
==RisksSafety==
The useReviews of certainthe oilsliterature inhave traditionalfound societiesno suchsignificant asrisks [[mustardfor oil]]adverse mightevents affectwith newbornmassage [[humantheory skin|skin]]with integrityeither andfull permeabilityterm or pre-term infants.<ref>{{cite journal | doi name=Cat2013 10.1080/080352502753711678 | last1><ref name=Vickers/> Darmstadt |One first1study =found GLthat |the last2 = Mao-Qiang | first2 = M | last3 = Chi | first3 = E | last4 = Saha | first4 = SK | last5 = Ziboh | first5 = VA | last6 = Black | first6 = RE | last7 = Santosham | first7 = M | last8 = Elias | first8 = PM. | year = 2002 | title = Impactuse of topicalcertain oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developingtraditional countriessocieties |such urlas =[[mustard |oil]] journalor =[[olive Actaoil]] Paediatrmight |adversely volumeaffect =pre-term 91newborn |[[human issue = 5skin|skin]] pagesbarrier =function, 546–54while | pmid = 12113324 }}</ref> Thoughusing other oils that are [[linoleate]]-enriched such as [[sunflower seed oil]] aremay safeimprove the integrity and improvepermeability skinof healththe skin.<ref name=Cat2013 /><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = DarmstadtMullany | first1 = GLLC | last2 = BadrawiDarmstadt | first2 = NGL | last3 = LawKhatry | first3 = PASK | last4 = AhmedTielsch | first4 = S | last5 = Bashir | first5 = M | last6 = Iskander | first6 = I | last7 = Al Said | first7 = D | last8 = El Kholy | first8 = A | last9 = Husein | first9 = MHJM | title = TopicallyTraditional appliedMassage sunflowerof seed oil prevents invasive bacterial infectionsNewborns in pretermNepal: infantsImplications infor Egypt:Trials aof randomized,Improved controlled clinical trial.Practice | journal = TheJournal Pediatricof infectiousTropical disease journalPediatrics | volume = 2351 | issue = 82 | pages = 719–2582–6 | year = 20042005 | pmid = 1529522115677372 }}</ref>Also,| otherpmc oils= used1317296 in| traditionaldoi societies= such10.1093/tropej/fmh083 as [[sesame oil]] are proven improved the weight, length, and midarm and midleg circumferences of infants.}}</ref>
{{cite journal |last1 = Agarwal | first1 = KN | last2 = Gupta | first2 = A | last3 = Pushkarna | first3 = R | last4 = Faridi | first4 = MM | last5 = Prabhu | first5 = MK |year = 2000| title = Effects of massage & use of oil on growth, blood flow & sleep pattern in infants | journal = Inian J Med Res.| volume = 112 | issue = 212| pages = 7| pmid = 11247199 }}</ref> Though other oils that are [[linoleate]]-enriched such as [[sunflower seed oil]] are safe and improve skin health.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Darmstadt | first1 = GL | last2 = Badrawi | first2 = N | last3 = Law | first3 = PA | last4 = Ahmed | first4 = S | last5 = Bashir | first5 = M | last6 = Iskander | first6 = I | last7 = Al Said | first7 = D | last8 = El Kholy | first8 = A | last9 = Husein | first9 = MH | title = Topically applied sunflower seed oil prevents invasive bacterial infections in preterm infants in Egypt: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. | journal = The Pediatric infectious disease journal | volume = 23 | issue = 8 | pages = 719–25 | year = 2004 | pmid = 15295221 }}
==History==
▲[[Ayurvedic medicine]] in [[History of India|ancient India]] taught the use of infant massage.<ref>Johari H. (1996). Ayurvedic Massage: Traditional Indian Techniques for Balancing Body and Mind. Inner Traditions Bear and Company. ISBN 978-0892814893</ref> It was also has been encouraged in [[China]] since the [[Qing dynasty]].<ref>Furth C. (1987). Concepts of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infancy in Ch'ing Dynasty China. Journal of Asian Studies, 46:7-35. {{JSTOR|2056664}}</ref> At present it is part of traditional childcare in South Asia and elsewhere where daily massage by mothers is seen as "instilling fearlessness, hardening bone structure, enhancing movement and limb coordination, and increasing weight"<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Reissland | first1 = N | last2 = Burghart | first2 = R | title = The role of massage in south Asia: child health and development. | journal = Social science & medicine (1982) | volume = 25 | issue = 3 | pages = 231–9 | year = 1987 | pmid = 3629298 }}</ref> Such massage often used potentially unsafe mustard oil though public education is now encouraging the use of safe alternatives.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Mullany | first1 = LC | last2 = Darmstadt | first2 = GL | last3 = Khatry | first3 = SK | last4 = Tielsch | first4 = JM | title = Traditional massage of newborns in Nepal: implications for trials of improved practice. | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1317296/pdf/nihms5548.pdf | journal = Journal of tropical pediatrics | volume = 51 | issue = 2 | pages = 82–6 | year = 2005 | pmid = 15677372 | pmc = 1317296 | doi = 10.1093/tropej/fmh083 }}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Babywearing]]
*[[Haptic communication]] ▼*[[Kangaroo care]]
*[[BabywearingPediatric massage]]
*[[Swaddling]]
▲*[[Haptic communication]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Infants and their care}}
==External links==
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A880670 BBC: Baby Massage -- provides instructions]
[[Category:Babycare]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Massage therapy]]
[[sv:Spädbarnsmassage]]
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