Nurture By Massage &
Heavenly Hands Doula Service
Providing professionally taught baby massage classes & postpartum doula services
Research on the Benefits of Infant Massage (Click on each heading to access the study)
Massage Intervention for Promoting Mental and Physical Health in Infants Aged Under Six Months
*Improved mother-infant interaction, sleep and relaxation, reduced crying and a beneficial impact on stress hormones
The Effects of Infant Massage on Weight, Height and Mother-Child Interaction
*Improved infant behavior & increased maternal concern to the infant, increased positive mother-infant interaction and promotes building the emotional tie between mother and infant (closeness, warmth, care, contact, and affection)
Effect of Massaging Babies on Mothers: Pilot Study on the Changes in Mood States and Salivary Cortisol Level
*Positively affects the mood of the mother
Father-Infant Interactions are Enhanced by Massage Therapy
*Fathers were more expressive and showed more enjoyment and more warmth during play with their infants
Supporting Fathering Through Massage
*Significantly decreased paternal stress
Elder Retired Volunteers Benefit From Giving Massage Therapy to Infants
*Elder retired volunteers had less anxiety and depression, lower stress hormones levels and improved lifestyles and health
Massage With Oil has More Positive Effects on Normal Infants
*Infants who received massage with oil were less active, showed fewer stress behaviors and head averting and their saliva cortisol levels decreased more; also, vagal activity increased following massage with oil versus massage without oil
Effects of Massage & Use of Oil on Growth, Blood Flow & Sleep Pattern in Infants
*Massage improved the weight, length, and midarm and midleg circumferences and improved growth and post-massage sleep
Babies' Brain Responses to Touch Reveal Body Map
*Touch is important to infant development; it conveys social-emotional messages and the baby’s emerging sense of ‘self’ is intimately bound up with their sense of touch
Sleep Problems in Infants Decrease Following Massage Therapy
*Infants and toddlers showed fewer sleep delay behaviors and had a shorter latency to sleep onset; also they had more positive affect and more time awake, alert and active
Massage Improves Preschoolers’ Cognitive Performance
*More accurate on tests, more alert following massage and improved performance on the tests; those who were anxious and high-strung showed the greatest improvement following massage (massage possibly alleviated their stress)
Preterm Infants:
Massage Therapy Facilitates Weight Gain in Preterm Infants
*31 to 47% greater weight gain; increased protein synthesis, increased vagal activity that releases food-absorption hormones like insulin and enhances gastric motility and decreased cortisol levels leading to increased oxytocin
Preterm Infant Massage Therapy Research: A Review
*Preterm infants gained significantly more weight and increased bone density; having the mother perform the massage using coconut oil and safflower oil enhanced the average weight gain; the oil increased triglycerides and vagal activity, which may contribute to weight gain
Preterm Infants Show Reduced Stress Behaviors and Activity after 5 days of Massage Therapy
*Massaged preterm infants were less active and showed fewer stress behaviors, suggesting that massage has a stress reducing or pacifying effect. Massage therapy desensitizes the preterm infant to the stressful environment of the NICU perhaps by enhancing longer periods of parasympathetic activity and increasing vagal activity ( Diego, Field, & Hernandez-Reif, 2006 ); parents could be trained to massage their infants during their hospital visits and after leaving the hospital
Temperature Increases in Preterm Infants During Massage Therapy
*Promotes neurological regulation in neonates including motor and state self-regulation; increased temperature and circulation
Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Increased in Preterm Neonates Following Massage Therapy
*Showed greater weight gain and a greater increase in serum insulin and IGF-1 levels
Preterm Infant Massage Elicits Consistent Increases in Vagal Activity and Gastric Motility that are Associated with Greater Weight Gain
*Increases in vagal activity and gastric motility that help improve weight gain
Preterm Infant Weight Gain is Increased by Massage Therapy and Exercise via Different Underlying Mechanisms
*Increased preterm infant weight gain and increased vagal activity (associated with both infant growth and socio-emotional development)
Massage Therapy Reduces Hospital Stay and Occurrence of Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Neonates
*Maternal massage in very low birth weight infants decreased the length of hospital stay by 7 days and decreased the incidence of late-onset neonatal sepsis
The Efficacy of Massage on Short and Long Term Outcome in Preterm Infants
*Cognitive scores were significantly higher; had a positive effect on pain responses and mental development at 12 months; results indicate that massage is beneficial for stable preterm infants
The Effect of Massage on Heart Rate Variability in Preterm Infants
*Improvement in heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system function which promotes appropriate responses to stressful events as well as “turning off” the stress response when the stressful event has passed
Postnatal Depression:
Benefits of Infant Massage for Mothers with Postnatal Depression
*Mothers with postnatal depression often have problems interacting with their infants; attending a massage class can help such mothers relate better to their babies including learning to understand their babies' cues and the release of oxytocin
Infant Massage Improves Mother-Infant Interaction for Mothers with Postnatal Depression
*Learning the practice of infant massage by mothers is an effective treatment for facilitating mother-infant interaction in mothers with postnatal depression
Postpartum Depression Effects on Early Interactions, Parenting, and Safety Practices: A Review
*Less irritability and fewer sleep problems in the infants, better mother-infant interactions and reduced depression in the mother
Massage Therapy for Infants of Depressed Mothers
*Infants spent more time in active alert and active awake states, cried less, had lower stress levels, spent less time in an active awake state (massage may be more effective than rocking for inducing sleep), gained more weight, improvemed emotionality, sociability and soothability temperament and greater decreases in urinary stress hormones
Research on the Benefits of Postpartum Doula Care (click on each heading to access the link)
Domains of Postpartum Doula Care and Maternal Responsiveness and Competence
"postpartum doulas facilitate maternal responsiveness and competence. Development of a long-term relationship, mother-centered care, and education and support related to infant feeding, integrating the infant into family, and developmental care and attachment may contribute to these outcomes."
Postpartum Doulas: Motivations and Perceptions of Practice
"new mothers see midwives and doctors sporadically after discharge from the hospital. Postpartum doulas fill this gap in continuity of care by providing support for families as they transition to life with their new infant."
Mothering the Mother: Can a Postpartum Doula Enhance Maternal Self Confidence and Maternal Empathy in a Primiparous Mother?
"Major findings are that postpartum doulas do enhance maternal self-confidence and maternal empathy in first time mothers. This is true regardless of the mother's socio-economic level. In addition, mothers were found to have a need to be in-relation in the postpartum phase. Postpartum doulas provide enhancement through emotional, physical and educational support...implications are that postpartum doulas are a viable in-home intervention that might have better success rates than other in-home interventions..."
How To Get Your Milk Supply Off to a Good Start
"Many new mothers are blessed with having a partner or family member who is wonderfully supportive and quite capable of performing all of the household tasks. Even so, there is more to do than take care of the household now. You are caring for your baby, but you need special nurturing care yourself. You may also be feeling a great deal of anxiety. Having a professional postpartum doula, a woman who cares for a new mother by helping around the home and giving support and encouragement, can make all the difference. Doulas mother the mother...a doula can do household chores, help with older children, or simply focus on nurturing you. It almost does not matter what she actually does; the presence of a mature, reassuring, and non-judgmental woman will build your confidence while you focus on bonding with your new baby."
Postpartum Doula and Peer Telephone Support for Postpartum Depression
"Mothers were more satisfied with postpartum doulas than peer telephone support."
The Trend toward Night Doulas: Exploring the Original Vision of Postpartum Doula Care
"...it can be more effective to give mothers education and skilled professional "mother nurture" from trained, certified postpartum doulas during the day. This will boost mom's confidence in her mothering abilities while receiving practical household help during the day and letting her nap, enabling her to endure the night challenges...a new mother needs to be mothered herself, preferably by her family members. In our current societal structure that is very often not possible and these women suffer in isolation. This is a time to learn the art of mothering from other women, a time to be protected, fed, and cared for in special ways by women who know...a postpartum doula can come during the day and educate, cook, help the mom through a breastfeeding session while folding the laundry and teach her a swaddling technique that calms the baby. She can demonstrate infant massage and watch the baby while the mom naps or runs an errand. Not to mention the mom's need to talk to someone about her feelings at this time."
Research on the Benefits of Infant Massage (Click on each heading to access the study)
Massage Intervention for Promoting Mental and Physical Health in Infants Aged Under Six Months
*Improved mother-infant interaction, sleep and relaxation, reduced crying and a beneficial impact on stress hormones
The Effects of Infant Massage on Weight, Height and Mother-Child Interaction
*Improved infant behavior & increased maternal concern to the infant, increased positive mother-infant interaction and promotes building the emotional tie between mother and infant (closeness, warmth, care, contact, and affection)
Effect of Massaging Babies on Mothers: Pilot Study on the Changes in Mood States and Salivary Cortisol Level
*Positively affects the mood of the mother
Father-Infant Interactions are Enhanced by Massage Therapy
*Fathers were more expressive and showed more enjoyment and more warmth during play with their infants
Supporting Fathering Through Massage
*Significantly decreased paternal stress
Elder Retired Volunteers Benefit From Giving Massage Therapy to Infants
*Elder retired volunteers had less anxiety and depression, lower stress hormones levels and improved lifestyles and health
Massage With Oil has More Positive Effects on Normal Infants
*Infants who received massage with oil were less active, showed fewer stress behaviors and head averting and their saliva cortisol levels decreased more; also, vagal activity increased following massage with oil versus massage without oil
Effects of Massage & Use of Oil on Growth, Blood Flow & Sleep Pattern in Infants
*Massage improved the weight, length, and midarm and midleg circumferences and improved growth and post-massage sleep
Babies' Brain Responses to Touch Reveal Body Map
*Touch is important to infant development; it conveys social-emotional messages and the baby’s emerging sense of ‘self’ is intimately bound up with their sense of touch
Sleep Problems in Infants Decrease Following Massage Therapy
*Infants and toddlers showed fewer sleep delay behaviors and had a shorter latency to sleep onset; also they had more positive affect and more time awake, alert and active
Massage Improves Preschoolers’ Cognitive Performance
*More accurate on tests, more alert following massage and improved performance on the tests; those who were anxious and high-strung showed the greatest improvement following massage (massage possibly alleviated their stress)
Preterm Infants:
Massage Therapy Facilitates Weight Gain in Preterm Infants
*31 to 47% greater weight gain; increased protein synthesis, increased vagal activity that releases food-absorption hormones like insulin and enhances gastric motility and decreased cortisol levels leading to increased oxytocin
Preterm Infant Massage Therapy Research: A Review
*Preterm infants gained significantly more weight and increased bone density; having the mother perform the massage using coconut oil and safflower oil enhanced the average weight gain; the oil increased triglycerides and vagal activity, which may contribute to weight gain
Preterm Infants Show Reduced Stress Behaviors and Activity after 5 days of Massage Therapy
*Massaged preterm infants were less active and showed fewer stress behaviors, suggesting that massage has a stress reducing or pacifying effect. Massage therapy desensitizes the preterm infant to the stressful environment of the NICU perhaps by enhancing longer periods of parasympathetic activity and increasing vagal activity ( Diego, Field, & Hernandez-Reif, 2006 ); parents could be trained to massage their infants during their hospital visits and after leaving the hospital
Temperature Increases in Preterm Infants During Massage Therapy
*Promotes neurological regulation in neonates including motor and state self-regulation; increased temperature and circulation
Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Increased in Preterm Neonates Following Massage Therapy
*Showed greater weight gain and a greater increase in serum insulin and IGF-1 levels
Preterm Infant Massage Elicits Consistent Increases in Vagal Activity and Gastric Motility that are Associated with Greater Weight Gain
*Increases in vagal activity and gastric motility that help improve weight gain
Preterm Infant Weight Gain is Increased by Massage Therapy and Exercise via Different Underlying Mechanisms
*Increased preterm infant weight gain and increased vagal activity (associated with both infant growth and socio-emotional development)
Massage Therapy Reduces Hospital Stay and Occurrence of Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Neonates
*Maternal massage in very low birth weight infants decreased the length of hospital stay by 7 days and decreased the incidence of late-onset neonatal sepsis
The Efficacy of Massage on Short and Long Term Outcome in Preterm Infants
*Cognitive scores were significantly higher; had a positive effect on pain responses and mental development at 12 months; results indicate that massage is beneficial for stable preterm infants
The Effect of Massage on Heart Rate Variability in Preterm Infants
*Improvement in heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system function which promotes appropriate responses to stressful events as well as “turning off” the stress response when the stressful event has passed
Postnatal Depression:
Benefits of Infant Massage for Mothers with Postnatal Depression
*Mothers with postnatal depression often have problems interacting with their infants; attending a massage class can help such mothers relate better to their babies including learning to understand their babies' cues and the release of oxytocin
Infant Massage Improves Mother-Infant Interaction for Mothers with Postnatal Depression
*Learning the practice of infant massage by mothers is an effective treatment for facilitating mother-infant interaction in mothers with postnatal depression
Postpartum Depression Effects on Early Interactions, Parenting, and Safety Practices: A Review
*Less irritability and fewer sleep problems in the infants, better mother-infant interactions and reduced depression in the mother
Massage Therapy for Infants of Depressed Mothers
*Infants spent more time in active alert and active awake states, cried less, had lower stress levels, spent less time in an active awake state (massage may be more effective than rocking for inducing sleep), gained more weight, improvemed emotionality, sociability and soothability temperament and greater decreases in urinary stress hormones
Research on the Benefits of Postpartum Doula Care (click on each heading to access the link)
Domains of Postpartum Doula Care and Maternal Responsiveness and Competence
"postpartum doulas facilitate maternal responsiveness and competence. Development of a long-term relationship, mother-centered care, and education and support related to infant feeding, integrating the infant into family, and developmental care and attachment may contribute to these outcomes."
Postpartum Doulas: Motivations and Perceptions of Practice
"new mothers see midwives and doctors sporadically after discharge from the hospital. Postpartum doulas fill this gap in continuity of care by providing support for families as they transition to life with their new infant."
Mothering the Mother: Can a Postpartum Doula Enhance Maternal Self Confidence and Maternal Empathy in a Primiparous Mother?
"Major findings are that postpartum doulas do enhance maternal self-confidence and maternal empathy in first time mothers. This is true regardless of the mother's socio-economic level. In addition, mothers were found to have a need to be in-relation in the postpartum phase. Postpartum doulas provide enhancement through emotional, physical and educational support...implications are that postpartum doulas are a viable in-home intervention that might have better success rates than other in-home interventions..."
How To Get Your Milk Supply Off to a Good Start
"Many new mothers are blessed with having a partner or family member who is wonderfully supportive and quite capable of performing all of the household tasks. Even so, there is more to do than take care of the household now. You are caring for your baby, but you need special nurturing care yourself. You may also be feeling a great deal of anxiety. Having a professional postpartum doula, a woman who cares for a new mother by helping around the home and giving support and encouragement, can make all the difference. Doulas mother the mother...a doula can do household chores, help with older children, or simply focus on nurturing you. It almost does not matter what she actually does; the presence of a mature, reassuring, and non-judgmental woman will build your confidence while you focus on bonding with your new baby."
Postpartum Doula and Peer Telephone Support for Postpartum Depression
"Mothers were more satisfied with postpartum doulas than peer telephone support."
The Trend toward Night Doulas: Exploring the Original Vision of Postpartum Doula Care
"...it can be more effective to give mothers education and skilled professional "mother nurture" from trained, certified postpartum doulas during the day. This will boost mom's confidence in her mothering abilities while receiving practical household help during the day and letting her nap, enabling her to endure the night challenges...a new mother needs to be mothered herself, preferably by her family members. In our current societal structure that is very often not possible and these women suffer in isolation. This is a time to learn the art of mothering from other women, a time to be protected, fed, and cared for in special ways by women who know...a postpartum doula can come during the day and educate, cook, help the mom through a breastfeeding session while folding the laundry and teach her a swaddling technique that calms the baby. She can demonstrate infant massage and watch the baby while the mom naps or runs an errand. Not to mention the mom's need to talk to someone about her feelings at this time."