When a baby is born, fathers do not have the same amount of family bonding time as mothers do. Fathers are mostly viewed as the provider for financial stability, but are we forgetting something? Studies show that when both parents are involved, emotionally and physically, it influences secure attachment. When a child develops secure attachment, they are more likely to be successful in school, express confidence, provide empathy and more likely to develop healthy relationships.
Infant Massage is a wonderful to include fathers in creating a bonding experience through nurturing touch. Dads become more confident in meeting their baby’s needs. I’ve heard some mothers say, “As I’m pulling out of the driveway, my husband comes out to tell me he doesn’t know why the baby is crying.” That’s when Infant Massage comes in to bridge that gap to help fathers gain confidence in reading and understanding their baby’s needs.
In the book Infant Massage: A Handbook For Loving Parents by Vimala McClure, psychologist Tom Daly states:
“In the process of giving the massage, fathers get to know their children in an extraordinary way. They connect with a deep part of the child and with a deep part of themselves-their nurturing side. Boys, by and large, are conditioned to suppress this part by the age of nine, but working with infants in this way opens up that old place. Dads find they are great nurtures when given a safe situation in which their manhood is not compromised. When their fathers give children extra attention, the children have more self-confidence and exhibit more creativity.“
On the first day of my class, the mom is the one massaging the baby and the dad uses my baby doll to practice the strokes. I encourage both parents to take turns massaging. Some dads have shared they don’t want to harm their baby. This is a normal feeling, especially for first time parents. It’s my role as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor to guide the father through the process by helping him make any adjustments necessary to make that loving connection.
Infant massage helps fathers feel connected and included in their child developments and creates a harmonious home environment. I’ve also had parents share that they felt closer as a family and a couple.
Want to learn more benefits of Infant Massage? Check out my next blog to read more about it! Follow my Fledgling at www.standtallparenting.com