Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — it's a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, it can comfort your baby when he's upset and sometimes ease the symptoms of colic.

Many cultures have used baby massage as part of baby care for hundreds of years, and research shows it can have many benefits. Baby Massage enables you to learn about and respond to your baby's body language. It is also a wonderful way to make your baby feel safe and secure by showing that he or she is loved and cared for. There is no set way to massage your baby - provided you know how to do it safely, you and your baby will discover what's best for you both. It is important to remember, however, that baby massage is something you do with, rather than to your baby. It is recommended that you learn from someone with a qualification in baby massage, or from a midwife or health visitor, to ensure you are doing it safely. (From Baby massage: a guide for parents produced by the International Association of Infant Massage and Johnson's baby)

The Benefits