What is touch?
Touch is one of the first senses to develop in utero. It is the first language and tool of communication between a mother and her child for 9 months and the first contact when he comes out of the womb and is placed skin to skin.
Touch is essential for the survival and development of living beings. It is one of the 5 most essential senses.
Skin sensitivity is developed very early in the newborn and its stimulation is very important both physiologically and psychologically.
Touch, a tool for weaving the bond of attachment
Touch is fundamental to successful attachment. It is essential to forge this unique bond with your baby. Touching it will help you understand it better.
Thanks to massage, parents will discover that it is possible to communicate with him as much as with words.
By massaging him, you will take some time for yourself and for him, take a break from your daily life. You will learn to detect what he has to say to you in his expressions and his gestures.
What are the benefits of massage?
The benefits are both physical by relieving baby's minor ailments, promoting sleep and stimulating his immune, circulatory and many other systems, but also psychological because you show him that he is loved, welcomed and respected while bringing him presence, comfort, relief and relaxation. It's important that he feels safe in this new world.
The benefits are also found among parents because the workshops provide special moments with your baby, an enhancement of your skills (we are happy to bring relaxation to your baby and take care of him differently) and also relaxation and well-being .
What is AFMB and how do the workshops run?
The founder of IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage), Vimala McClure, discovered massage in India in an orphanage. The little ones were massaged by the older ones. She herself benefited from it during an attack of malaria where women took turns to massage her and bring down the fever.
In France, AFMB (French Baby Massage Association) was created in 2000. The objectives of the association are to support, promote and accompany parents towards another form of communication so that each baby is loved, valued and respected. The movements come from Indian and Swedish massages, plantar reflexology and yoga. Baby massage instructors are everywhere in France, you will find a workshop near you on the website www.massage-bebe.asso.fr
There are 5 workshops, i.e. one workshop per week because the massage is done gradually. It is not advisable to massage a baby all over their body at once as they will not like it. We start with the legs and feet because it is the least vulnerable part for them, then in each session, we integrate another part of the body for a complete massage in the 5th session. The workshops are spaced one week apart so that parents can reproduce the movements at home daily if possible and the baby can get used to this healthy touch. A bottle of oil is offered to you during the first session and the massage diagrams are given to you at the end so that you can repeat them in peace at home.
Collective workshops allow you to get away from your daily life, meet other families and discuss current issues and take some time for yourself and your baby. But there is also the possibility of organizing these workshops at home.
Through massage, you are giving your baby a wonderful gift of Love and Security that will help make him a caring being.
Information provided by: Camille Leguay.
Website: https://www.happyfamily42.fr/
