INFANT MASSAGE AIDS IN CORTISOL AND SLEEP REGULATION
Starting in early gestational stage, too much stress can pose a threat to your unborn baby. “Maternal stress hormones passes through the placenta, reducing oxygen flow and nutrient flow to the fetus, this can provoke a fetal stress response.” (S. Heller).
Massage is generally known for its soothing and relaxing effects not only for the babies but also for the parent giving the massage. As a natural stress reliever, positive Touch has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol in our bodies.
Cortisol is a vital hormone , referred to as the “stress hormone”. As an important hormone of the body, cortisol helps control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, immune function, inflammatory response and assist with memory formulation and learning.
When a person is under emotional stress, the body produces high levels of cortisol . Raised levels of this stress hormone can have a detrimental effect on the body. Clinical researches show a direct link of high cortisol level and suppression of immunity system , depression and even premature death in infants.
“Children who suffer from sustained, high levels of cortisol are more likely to demonstrate cognitive, social, motor and other developmental delays ( Blackwell 2000; Shore 1997). Elevated cortisol levels also have been found to kill brain cells and reduce the number of cell connections, impairing thinking and selective attention (Lally & Oldershaw 2005)” (Frances M. Carlson)
Studies show that massage therapy decreases levels of salivary cortisol and increases the level of hormons like Serotonin ( the sleep hormone) , Dopamine and Endorphins as well as the Natural Killer cell number ( International journal of neuroscience , 106, 35-45, 2001) .
Numerous clinical researches of T. Field show a decrease in salivary cortisol level following massage , generally reporting children being happier and less anxious.
“ When compared to a group of infants who were rocked , the massaged infants were awake while they were being massaged and quickly went to sleep following the massage, while the rocked infants slept during the rocking but awakened as the rocking ended. This suggests that massage is a more effective way for parents to help their infants go to sleep” (T Field. The amazing infant).
Massage for your baby is not going to eliminate stress. Stress is needed for the normal development and learning. The problem comes in when a baby is under constant "flight-or-fight" state. This is when the opposite happens and normal development may slow down open the pathway for illness. Massage helps reduce Cortisol so the infant can easily and calmly deal with the daily inputs, while learning to self calm, a skill that in today's accelerated society is vital.
