Oooo Baby, A Massage for Mama

In case you missed it, be sure to read this post about all the fun we're having this week!  And make sure you see the giveaway at the end of this post!

When people ask me what I do for a living I always receive lots of “oooo”s and “aaahhhh”s when I tell them I am a massage therapist. Most of us like the idea of getting a massage. It feels good to us, but did you know that massage can also be good for you? There are numerous scientific studies that indicate massage therapy can have a positive effect on physical and mental health. To read about a few studies you can go to Touch Research Institute or just have fun with Google today.

As a massage therapist I believe the skin is intimately connected to the nervous system. A single touch can alter someone’s mood dramatically; one can go from feeling safe to feeling threatened or from isolated to loved. An hour of massage can change one’s outlook on the whole week. I consider touching the skin a means of communicating with the whole person. The skin can access the deepest parts of that person’s mind, heart and spirit. That is why respectful, nurturing, loving touch is so important for everyone, whatever their age. In this post I will lay out the benefits of massage for babies and moms.

You may already give your baby lots of wonderful cuddles and touches. So why massage your baby? Well the best reason is that massage is a fun way to learn to communicate care, compassion and love to your little one. Moms, dads, grandparents, siblings and other primary caregivers can all benefit from this wonderful way to bond with the baby. Parents and caregivers can even take classes to learn how to give their baby a massage.

-Massage helps newborns digest their food better.
-Massaging newborns helps them heal from the birth process.
-Massage is calming and helps babies get more restful sleep.
-Massage stimulates the immune system, promoting overall health.
-Massage stimulates the nervous system, which may improve muscle tone, coordination and brain functioning.

During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes; some of them are stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being. There are many benefits of massage during pregnancy. I will just list a few here.

The Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy

• Massage can relieve many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, neck aches, leg cramps, headaches, and swollen ankles.
• Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, then after the birth to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

Ongoing Massage for Mom

As mothers we spend much of our energy trying our best to meet our families physical, mental and even spiritual needs. Any mom knows that this is worth it. At the same time it is very draining. If we aren’t careful we can end up running on empty with nothing left to give. Massage therapy is a great way to unwind and recharge. It gives you a few moments when nothing is demanded of you. You can be still; you can just be.

We at Dupage Mamas want you encourage you to take care of yourself. So we are giving you a chance to win a free 60 minute massage (or gift certificate). Leave a comment here telling us a little about your self and why you need a massage (duh!! Don't we all need one!!). You’ll be entered into the drawing for the free massage at Massage for Women and Families.

For an extra entry, post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook or e-mail your friends and come back and let us know you did. Or subscribe to our feed for yet another entry. Come one now, you know you want a free massage!! Dupage Mamas will randomly draw a winner next Wednesday, April 22nd and we will post the winner here. Make sure you leave us a way to get in contact with you if you win! You wouldn't want to miss a free massage!!

Click here for more info on our giveaways.  Oh, and make sure you stop by here at Dupage Mamas everyday this week for a new giveaway everyday to celebrate our official launch. And tell your friends!!!

Heather Maynard has been working as a massage therapist since 2001. She is state licensed and Nationally Certified. To learn more about her business or schedule an appointment visit Massage for Women and Families.