Child and Parent Occupational Wellness

The Positive Power of Touch - Research Studies & Videos about Infant Massage

      

The art of infant massage provides special ways to bond with your baby/child.  It is never too late to begin massaging your child.  Touch is our most powerful sense.  It is the first sense to develop in utero and it is used for the rest of our lives.  The calming power of touch cannot be underestimated when soothing a colicky baby, relieving teething pains, or just as part of a daily routine with your child that provides you both with connection, stress reduction, and a myriad of physical benefits. Tiffany Field, Ph.D. is the director at the Touch Research Institute at University of Miami School of Medicine.  She has been the leading researcher on the benefits of touch therapy.  She has conducted all kinds of studies that report the benefits of touch/massage in all types of individuals, from premature infants, to drug-exposed babies, to children with autism, and senior citizens.  For an easy-to-read list of the results of each study, click here: Massage Therapy Studies- Touch Research Institute

To learn more about the art of infant massage, The Loving Touch Parent-Infant Massage Program,  its technique, and benefits, click here to view a selection of videos:

Infant Massage Videos, International Loving Touch Foundation

The Repetitive Movements of Motherhood

I am sure there are plenty of moms out there who share my belief and experience that it is incredibly difficult to get yourself back on the exercise bandwagon after your baby is born.  For me, it is something that in general I have always enjoyed -- keeping in some kind of "fit" form, but at no time is it more difficult than after you give birth.  On top of that, I tend to "reward" myself for "bringing a new life into the world" by treating myself to goodies (mmmm....brownies a la mode, anyone?).  There is no arguing that getting started is one of the toughest things to do.  Let's face it -- recovering from delivery and caring for a newborn takes a physical toll on our bodies, as well as psychological.  Though we are burning lots of calories during everyday tasks with our infants (especially if you are breastfeeding), the movements and positions that our bodies are in can become repetitive over the weeks and months.  First and foremost, our abdominal area is weakened from the 9 months of pregancy itself.  If you had a C-section delivery, you then have to deal with the healing of the incision and muscle weakness that accompanies that.  Because of the weakness in our abdominals, our lower backs are at risk for strain from muscle imbalance (strong back muscles, weak abdominals).  This is important to be aware of, since it is these torso muscles that give us our stability for movements of our limbs.

Secondly, the walking back and forth, bending up and down, lifting the baby, holding the baby on one side, preparing bottles, changing diapers, breastfeeding, and many more tasks -- all can lead to "static positioning".  Over time, our bodies become tight in other areas due to lack of mobility and the constant pulling, tugging and muscle strain in the primary areas we use during our day for childcare. At times I felt like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz, stuck in some areas.  I liken it to what can happen to the worker who is in an office job: something called repetitive stress injury.  For example, someone who sits at a computer all day long for their job using a mouse, typing, etc. can be at risk for certain upper extremity repetitive stress injuries that can affect the fingers, wrists, or entire arms.  There could be nerve impingement (as in carpal tunnel syndrome) or arthritic developments within the joints that are used repetitively in the same motions/positions. 

The everyday demands of newborn care can take their toll on our upper backs, lower backs, wrists, and necks.  Each woman could have different symptoms based on her unique style of carrying a baby, changing, feeding, etc.  For me, I tend to curl my shoulders inward towards my chest while cuddling a baby and nursing.  Over time, I have noticed that my chest muscles are contracted and my upper back and shoulder muscles are overstretched, leading to rounded shoulders (which us women want to prevent, especially as we age and become more at risk for osteoporosis) and neck discomfort.  It is very important that we take the time we need to care for ourselves so that we can be our best for our children and enjoy the occupation of motherhood.  Though there is a lot of information out there recommending exercises for new moms, here are some that really helped me, and don't take a lot of time or energy (very good for those early weeks and months when sleep seems to be an unknown).  Of course, if you think you are suffering from a severe weakness or injury, contact a physician immediately and get checked out.

1. Just lay flat on your back for 10-15 minutes a day! -- Grab an exercise mat or a soft blanket, lay flat on your back on the floor and let gravity do its work.  Allow yourself to "melt" into the floor.  Once relaxed, do some deep breathing and move your limbs, stretching your arms up and out.  You will feel a stretch in your chest muscles.

2. Shoulders back and down -- Throughout the day, try to remind yourself to keep your shoulders back and pulled down towards the floor.  Do some shoulder rolls backwards to allow the shoulder girdle joint to get some mobility in all directions, not just the ones used in picking up and putting down your baby.

3. Neck Stretches -- Try to tilt your head to each side (ear to shoulder) a few times a day to allow your neck muscles to stretch out.  Relieving that tightness can many times relieve any neck pain you may be experiencing due to uneven muscle pull/strain on the neck vertebrae.  Of course, if you are experiencing severe neck pain, see a doctor or chiropractor.

4. Practice good body mechanics- Remember to practice good body mechanics and positioning during your daily tasks/occupations.  When lifting the baby, don't allow too much strain on your thumbs, because this can lead to wrist pain.  During lifting and placing of the baby, keep him/her close to your body so that your core muscles can do the work and you do not strain your back.  Bend at the legs, not at your waist.  Use a pillow to support your arm while bottle-feeding.  Use a nursing pillow to support the baby and your upper body during breastfeeding. 

5.  Avoid sudden movements - Don't forget that pregnancy/birth hormones are still flowing strong in your body after you give birth.  These have a relaxing effect on muscles and ligaments, so beware of sudden movements that could easily strain your muscles or overstretch them.

The Great Balancing Act

About 3 months has passed since my last post.  In that time, I gave birth to my 3rd daughter and have been adjusting to life as the alpha female of a family of 5.  Though many men and women become mothers and fathers (some of only one child, some of many more), it can never be underestimated as to the immense adjustment it is, no matter how many children one has.  As wonderful an experience as it can be, it is challenging to find a "balance" in life between being parents, spouses/partners, workers, friends, and everything else that comes along with being part of life and society.  It is important to be organized and aware of oneself and the needs that must also be met to take care of yourself.  When we, as parents, are running around, caring for children, dressing, diapering, bathing, feeding, transporting, listening, playing, etc. it is easy to forget to chisel out even just 15 minutes for ourselves.  And throw on top of that the housework, cooking, grocery shopping, a job outside the home, or school, and adult relationships to maintain/nurture.  It can all get very hectic!  It is "easy" to say that you'll take time for yourself, and "easy" to advise others to do the same, but it's actually very difficult to "do", because when there is a new addition to the family, the truth of the matter is there barely is any time for the primary caregiver, usually the mother.  Something always comes up, whether it's a diaper change, an emergency bath, an accident, or your toddler vomiting on the floor because they are sick!  Now that my youngest is almost 4 months, things are settling down a bit in terms of a predictable schedule for feeding, naps, etc.  However, those early days and weeks of the amazing newborn are some of the most demanding of our lives.  Who can forget those LONG nights of being up feeding/consoling your newborn?   It can be incredibly frustrating when you are dead tired and everyone else in the family is sleeping around you.  If you have more than 2 children, finding even just 20 minutes during the day to catch up on your sleep is virtually impossible if you are on your own. Keeping a positive attitude and "biting the bullet", so to speak, are just what we have to do to get through it.  Of course, having a supportive partner and some help is a great asset.  But with help or without, we have to keep reminding ourselves that this demanding adjustment is usually only for the first few months and sooner or later things will settle down.  No matter how stressed and tired we are, we have to take some time for ourselves once in a while in order to "recharge" our mind, spirit, and physical self.  By doing this, we do a service to both ourselves and our children.  A mother and father who are calm, relaxed, and refreshed are able to offer more of themselves to their children in the long run.  So, moms and dads out there--take some time for yourself when you can, and accept help if it comes your way.  Be positive and keep reminding yourself that things will settle down soon enough.

Building Bonds through Infant Massage

Infant massage is an art that has been practiced for centuries in many cultures around the world.  While somewhat new to the Western world, infant massage is quickly catching on with parents as a way to increase emotional and physical bonds with the child and to optimize the child's growth and development. 

As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) with the International Loving Touch Foundation, I have seen the benefits that both babies and parents derive from infant massage.  More importantly, I have experienced these benefits as a mother myself while massaging my own children. 

Infant massage creates a unique opportunity to bond with your baby through loving touch.  It also provides an enjoyable way to promote healthy growth and development of your baby.  The following is a list of simple benefits for both baby and parent:

Benefits for the Baby

• Emotionally nourishes the baby
• Begins a loving, intimate communication between a parent and the baby
• Helps to strengthen and regulate the baby's primary systems (ie. respiratory, circulatory, nervous, musculature and gastrointestinal)
• Reduces gas and colic and allows the baby to sleep better
• Helps the baby relax and release the tensions of daily stimuli

Benefits for Parents

• Better understanding about their infants' cues of responsiveness
• Enhances communication and emotional ties
• Increases confidence and handling skills
• Greatly improves the bond of affectional attachment
• Provides a means to develop quality interaction time
• Helps the parents relax and listen to their baby
• Massage becomes a perfect avenue for conversation as the child gets older

Copyright 1994, International Loving Touch Foundation

The International Loving Touch Foundation trains instructors around the world in the art of infant massage.  These instructors teach infant massage to parents in homes, hospitals, community centers, clinics, and private settings.  To find a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) near you, click here:

Certified Infant Massage Instructors (CIMI) Directory, ILTF

    

When Will Breastfeeding Bashing in America End?

This post comes as a visceral response to the things I have read in the past month in the news about breastfeeding, and more specifically, breastfeeding in public.  When women become mothers, we have choices to make for the rest of our lives regarding the well being of our infants and children.  One of the earliest and most important decisions we have to make is whether or not we are going to breastfeed our infants.  Some women make this decision during pregnancy.  Others decide just after the birth.  Some women have immense support networks (friends, family, groups) to encourage breastfeeding.  Others don't.  Some women give it a try and for some reason (whether emotionally, physically or medically), it doesn't work out.  Still others decide that "it's not for them", despite the indisputable evidence that mother's breast milk is what's best for baby.

I nursed my two children from birth.  It was a decision I made the moment I became pregnant; it was something I always planned to do if I ever had children.  It is something that I feel grateful for and can never regret.  It is something that nobody can take away from me-or them. 

However, I understand the difficulty of being a first-time mom and getting the whole "nursing" thing down.  It can be very frustrating, and without positive support, one can want to give up easily.  I also understand the difficulty of going back to work while nursing an infant.  The disruptions in feeding, finding time and a place to pump for a milk supply, and the distractions of life at work are just a few of the things that make it difficult to continue.

I was shocked in late July to see such a negative reaction from readers of Baby Talk magazine, a US magazine made for mothers, after they published their August issue about breastfeeding.  What was all the hoopla over?  The magazine cover--a photo of an infant nursing at the mother's breast.  It was a close-up profile shot that showed the baby's head and small profile of the breast; very naturally.  Some readers really had some nasty things to say, and it shows that even though breastfeeding is becoming more common in the United States, many people are willing to make a nursing mother feel badly or uncomfortable while she is feeding her infant, especially in public.  To see the magazine cover and read the negative comments, click here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14065706/.

However, women in the USA are making progress towards nursing their babies more and more.  This is a great thing for women in our society and after reading the previous article, I was happy to learn that in early August,  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a whopping 74% of women in the US are breastfeeding their infants for at least some period of time.  This is the highest level of women on record for the US.  You can read the full article about the report here: http://www.babycenter.com/204_u-s-breastfeeding-rates-rise-to-record-high_5174525.bc.

As an American woman living abroad in Switzerland, I am amazed at the difference in respect with which motherhood and breastfeeding are treated between the two cultures.  In America, though it may be improving, breastfeeding in public is still taboo.  If you are an American mother who has breastfed her infants, I'm sure that many of you have had the experience of negative looks or comments from others if you were nursing in public; even if you were completely covered up and discreet about it.  How many of you, in order to avoid the previous scenario, went and sat in a dirty bathroom stall or went all the way back out to your car for privacy?  As we well know, when babies need to eat, they need to eat.  And if an infant is being nursed, he or she has the right to eat wherever mommy may be at the time.  A woman feeding her infant is not taking part in flaunting herself sexually to the public.  So the public should stop "sexualizing" the breast, because the real function of it is to feed our young.

Here in Switzerland, breastfeeding is actively encouraged.  People don't look or think twice when a woman is seated in a waiting room, on a park bench, or in a quiet corner at a restaurant or cafe nursing her infant.  It is part of the cultural society here; motherhood and infancy are held in high regard and are generally treated as such.  There is a particular sense within public life here that "everyone", adults and children alike, have a responsibility to the younger generation to nurture them.  Many children here grow up in a household where they experience their younger siblings nursing.  They learn that at one time, they did that as well.  When children are taught from an early age what the true purpose is of a woman's body in the circle of life, they learn to respect it and accept it as normal, the way it should be.  This carries over into adult society life as they grow.  Boys become supportive husbands to the mothers of their children by supporting them in nurturing their own child through breastfeeding.  Girls become mothers who are willing to try to do the best they can at giving their child the best nutrition from the start, and they don't have to feel as if they are interrupting "public life". The truth is that in America, the people in public who scoff at or make nursing women uncomfortable are, in fact, disrupting one of the most historically natural cycles of life; that of a mother feeding her young.

To exemplify how highly regarded a nursing mother is here in Switzerland, I have included an advertisement for a Swiss insurance company that I found in a local Swiss newspaper (www.20minutes.ch). 

It translates to: 

"A fixed program?" 

            -"A privileged moment."

Someday soon, hopefully, American society will feel the same way.

 

A New Blog About OT, Parenthood, Child Development, and All Things Related

Welcome!  Thank you for visiting Child and Parent Occupational Wellness.  This site serves to be a resource and discussion area for parents, families, and professionals who are interested in topics related to overall family health and wellness and more specifically parent-child occupations.  As an occupational therapist who works with children and families, I hope to be able to supply helpful information for parents and children of all abilities. My aim is for this blog to be both personal and professional by bringing forth some of my own observations and experiences in my daily life as a woman engaged in the "occupation" of motherhood, as well as providing information on different topics related to family life, parenthood and child development.  I look forward to your feedback as the site develops!