Baby massage has been practised in South Asia for centuries. Now scientists are discovering its life-saving potential. On a cool October evening, Renu Saxena brought her newborn daughter home from hospital in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.
It struck her just how fragile her baby was, her tiny veins glowing through her translucent skin. She had been born early, at 36 weeks, and weighed only 2. But her doctors were more cautious, and suggested she wait until the baby had put on more weight before starting massages. Saxena struck a compromise, and decided to hold off for two weeks. During that time, her daughter gained hardly any weight, less than g 3. It was only when Saxena hired a retired neonatal nurse, and learned the art of traditional baby massage from her, that things took a turn for the better.
Her daughter not only began to sleep well, she also put on more weight. Parents interested in the technique should however discuss it with their healthcare provider first, to ensure it is safe and suitable for their child. To the families who treasure this ancestral practice, the findings confirm their own observations. Saxena, a former advertising executive, originally hails from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, known for its tradition of massaging both mother and infant soon after birth.
Her extended family has been following the routine for generations. Massaging infants can give them health benefits that last well into adulthood, researchers say.
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