Fathers and babymassage
Studies now show that baby massage bonds fathers and newborn babies. Recent
surveys show that fathers who massage their babies establish warm, positive
relationships that continue as the child grows.
Whilst we are all aware of the benefits of a mother's touch through massage
new research now states that a father's touch is just as important and equally
essential to a baby's wellbeing and health.
"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
An Australian study of infant
massage and father-baby bonding, found that at 12 weeks old, babies who
were massaged (by their fathers) greeted their fathers with more eye contact,
smiling, vocalising and touch than those in the control group, and the fathers
experienced improved self-esteem as a parent due to the increased
involvement.
