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Welcome to Dupage Mamas! This blog is a place for Mamas to connect, share their experiences, and recommend great finds and ideas (or let us learn from your mistakes!) If you are raising kids in Dupage County, then we'd love to have you along for the adventure!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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.

18 comments:

Caitlin Murray Giles April 15, 2009 at 8:39 AM  

Oooh . . a massage sounds great. I am all hunched over nursing my three-month-old and my back is sure feeling it! I LOVE to give my little one a massage (and he loves it too). I took an infant massage class when my first child was born and I have used the techniques I learned with each of my children. Great giveaway!

Elizabeth L. April 15, 2009 at 1:29 PM  

Reason why I need I free massage? Because I work hard to take care of my two little girls, my hubby, my students, my work, my church, my friends, and my neighbors - whew! Not much time left for this tired body. I would definitely be a happier me with a massage =)

Kristee,  April 15, 2009 at 2:18 PM  

What a great site! My name is Kristee, and I would love a massage, because I am 7 1/2 months pregnant with a very active 2 1/2 year old! Needless to say my back aches at the end of the day! If I am the lucky winner you can contact me at teachin72@yahoo.com! Also I have posted on my facebook about your great site :-)

Lindsay April 15, 2009 at 2:56 PM  

yay for self care. i promote it in my part-time counseling practice with clients but i don't do it so well myself. i'd love a massage. i am mother to a lively 2-year-old and precious 3 month old. while i don't live in dupage county, i spend a lot of time there with friends, church, and work. you can contact me at lindsaybharris@gmail.com.

Kimmyc2,  April 15, 2009 at 3:51 PM  

cool, I could use a massage being 8 months pregnant with a 2 yr old at home, I commute downtown to work all day and just finished spending any additional time I have had in my days/weekend and not sleeping running a local political campaign of a great group of people for a village that needed some major change. I am exhausted and achey and would love a massage. :) Anyway, this site is a good idea. I look forward to checking it out more.

cheers!
Kim

Joel & Kristen April 15, 2009 at 7:20 PM  

After my old woman jog today, I could totally use a massage :) Kristen

Heather April 15, 2009 at 7:26 PM  

Kristen...you're so funny!

Good luck everybody!

Tracy April 15, 2009 at 7:39 PM  

I could definately use a massage. I'm 6 months pregnant, chasing a 15month old, a dog and sometimes my husband. I spend all day helping patients to become independent again, which is great . . . but it hurts these preggie bones :)
Tracy - mahoneytracy@yahoo.com

Carrie Pyykkonen,  April 15, 2009 at 8:06 PM  

Oh, wow! Well, I have never gotten a professional massage! I am a little over two months pregnant and feeling horrible! I was told by a friend that I need this massage, so I will take their word for it!

Carrie (carrielynn10@hotmail.com)

Anonymous,  April 15, 2009 at 9:17 PM  

Congratulations on your launch!! I know all the DuPage mama's and children will benefit from this great site. Best wishes to Farrah and Catherine!

Mandie April 16, 2009 at 8:35 AM  

I'd love a massage because I haven't had one in four years (when I was pregnant the first time) and man, as a mom of a 4-year-old, that's a long time for tension to build up.

I twittered the giveaway too! @mcmama

Atwood-Family of FIVE April 16, 2009 at 3:08 PM  

Thanks for getting the site going! I'm excited to see what comes of it! For my extra entry-I posted about you on my personal blog. Keep up the good work Mamas!

April

Atwood-Family of FIVE April 16, 2009 at 3:09 PM  

Oh, for my first entry-I need a massage because I have a growing 7 week old that I'm carrying close to me in a carrier, and my tired body could use a rub down. :)

Jessica April 16, 2009 at 3:40 PM  

Hi all,
I found the site through the blogspot website. I love the layout here and this is such a great idea. I will definetly keep up with everything on here and am looking forward to seeing more. Being 36 weeks pregnant a massage would be great right now!;-) I invited a few of my friends to check it out and found you on facebook!
Jessica

Rachel N.,  April 16, 2009 at 11:12 PM  

Ohhh massage. I...have...three...boys.

megan sanders April 18, 2009 at 9:37 PM  

What a great resource/website! Thanks for organizing it. I added you to my google reader so I can stay up to date. I would love a massage as a new mom of 2, I have a 6 week old and a 17 month old. This week I start reclaiming my body after basically being pregnant since January of 07 (6 mos off after birth of first) and I would love to kick it off with a massage!

Anonymous,  April 20, 2009 at 1:46 PM  

I have been "meaning" to schedule a massage for myself before this baby is born. I can already feel the pressure on my lower back at 26 weeks! I suppose that could be because I haven't really slowed down much and I tote my 3-1/2 yr. old around with me during the week. I could sure use an hour of pampering!
mueller7 at gmail dot com

Emma August 1, 2009 at 12:14 AM  

There is nothing so relaxing for a pregnant lady than a massage, I have been through all this so I know that. I love my Foot massager these days as it relaxes my foot. I feel so refreshed using it.

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