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BABY MASSAGE
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Origins of Baby
Massage: Vimala McClure spent time
working in an Indian Orphanage in 1973 and learnt
how to massage infants from the girls who worked
there with her. She quickly observed the benefits
of infant massage. Later she returned to America
and began practicing Indian Massage on her infant.
She then incorporated some Swedish movements and
Reflexology and put together a curriculum for a
five-week course. She wrote Infant Massage in 1977
and began to train other educators.
Then in 1981 the International Association of
Infant Massage was born. There are now qualified
Infant Massage Instructors all around the world.
They are committed to helping parents and
caregivers learn interactive communication with
infants through positive loving touch.
Oils for Infant Massage:
Baby massage oil should act as a
lubricant, making it possible to carry out massage
movements without causing drag or friction.
Massaging without oil can be irritating, especially
for a sensitive newborn. The oil should act as an
emollient, and should be both soothing and
moisturising.
The IAIM do not recommend using commercially
produced baby massage oils. These mineral oils are
not ideal as the oil does not absorb into the
baby's outer layers of skin, leaving a greasy film
on the ski. This can block pores and hamper natural
skin functions (e.g. sweating).
The way the oil is produced will determine its
worth as a baby massage medium, it is important to
use good quality oil from a trustworthy
manufacturer. True organic oil will be expensive
and may not be freely available, as not only the
seed must be organically grown but also the
production process should exclude the use of
chemicals.
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