Sleep Problems and Babies: How You Can Assist Your Baby to Sleep Through The Night

Do you find your child has difficulty falling asleep, or do they experience sleep problems such as regular waking during the night?

You are not alone! However coined the term “sleep like a baby” must be one of the lucky ones whose baby slept through the night from an early age (or maybe they didn’t have children!). Up to 29 percent(1) of infants experience sleep disturbance and waking during the night by the third month. Sleep problems such as difficulty in falling asleep and night waking may affect up to 35 percent of infants and toddlers(1). How much stimulation an infant receives during the day plays a major part in how efficient they are able to organise their sleep state. Overstimulation can be disruptive to an infant’s sleep. There are many techniques you can use to help settle your little one, but most important is establishing a soothing bedtime routine(2); one that your baby will become familiar with and one that involves working around the same bedtime and routine each night. This indicates to your baby that bedtime is approaching. Babies learn through repetition as repetition builds strong pathways (connections) in your baby’s brain (called synapses). Your baby will feel safe and secure with a familiar routine, especially a soothing and calming one.

Oxytocin and Melatonin in relation to sleep:
Calming your child’s brain releases the hormone oxytocin and the sleep hormone melatonin(2). Oxytocin is a hormone that has many wonderful benefits for your child. It is only released through touch; massaging your baby is the most effective way for your baby to receive the many positive physical effects associated with oxytocin such as improved sleep, balancing blood pressure and relaxation. It is important to learn how to massage your baby correctly (from a certified infant massage instructor such as Natalie Garmson, see http://www.kidsmassage.com.au/ ). Applying the wrong pressure or incorrect technique could increase your baby’s crying or discomfort, only making it worse. Massaging your baby is a skill that is easy to learn. It is fun for both you and your baby and can quite easily fit into your daily routine. Even better, the benefits of massage are felt immediately!
Melatonin is sometimes called the sleep hormone. It is stimulated by a calm environment, low levels of light, soft music or a soft voice. Together, oxytocin and melatonin create the right balance to help regulate your child’s brain to prepare them for sleep. When it is your baby’s bedtime, your role as a parent is to create a relaxing environment such as a warm bath, provide lots of reassurance through cuddles, reading a bedtime story and through calming touch such as massage. This is an example of a lovely soothing bedtime routine to help your child sleep longer and will assist their circadian rhythms (or ‘body clock’) (3). This is why children love routine! (Please note: whilst massage is a wonderful activity you can do with your baby after a bath, it must be noted that it is not recommended for infants under the age of 5 months, as massage is too stimulating for your newborn's nervous system. An alternative is to incorporate massage after your newborn’s daytime nap, often referred to as the ‘quiet alert’ stage).

Massage vs Rocking (Study):
A study was conducted to compare rocking verses massage as a technique to assist babies in falling asleep(1). It was observed that those infants who were massaged were awake whilst being massaged and fell asleep afterwards, whilst the group of infants who were rocked fell asleep whilst being rocked but woke when the rocking ceased. It was also noted that those infants who received massage (as compared to rocking) cried less, had lower stress hormones (through salivary cortisol levels) and showed greater improvement emotionally and socially. Reducing your baby’s stress hormone levels also contributes to an improved immune system.

Sleep problems and babies who cry themselves to sleep:
Your baby cannot simply relax after over-exhaustion or stimulating play. They require your help to relax and adjust their brain chemistry to release oxytocin. Leaving your baby to cry themselves to sleep means that their stress levels (influenced by the stress hormone cortisol) remain increased in their system(2). High cortisol in your baby’s system when they fall asleep means there is a greater chance they will wake during the night(3). There are many factors that may contribute to your child’s sleep problems. At around 3 to 6 months of age, your baby will start to organise its sleep/wake cycle and it may not be until they are 8 months of age that they start to sleep through the night(1). Remember that every child is an individual and influenced partly by nature (their genetic ‘make-up’) and partly by nurture (their surrounding environment and how you nurture and care for them). What you ultimately wish for is a healthy child who sleeps well. It is in the deep sleep (or restorative sleep) state that your child releases growth hormones. Deep sleep also contributes to a strong immune system. Massaging your child on a daily basis and establishing a soothing bedtime routine will assist their health, wellbeing and development. Don’t wait until next week to learn the art of infant massage…. start today!

Article by Natalie Garmson, certified infant massage instructor & mother of 2 boys, Idibidi Kids Massage, Perth, Western Australia.

References:

(1) Field, T. The Amazing Infant, Blackwell Publishing, 2007, Oxford, U.K. p251, 261-3
(2) Sunderland,M. The Science of Parenting, DK Publishing Ltd, London, U.K, 2006, p 66-9, 78-9.
(3) Underdown, A. Barlow,J. Chung,V. Stewart-Brown,S. Massage Intervention for Promoting Mental and Physical Health in Infants Ages Under Six Months, The Cochrane Collaboration, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2008. Issue 4.

Further recommended reading:

Touch Research Institute, Miami, USA.
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/TRIResearch/infantmassage.htm

5 reasons why your baby should be massaged

Why should babies be massaged by their parents or close caregiver? Here are 5 wonderful reasons why...

1. Promotes relaxation (and not just for bubs!) - massaging your baby releases the 'feel-good' hormones oxytocin and endorphins and also reduces stress hormones. Research has discovered that it is not just the person receiving massage who feels these benefits; the person giving the massage is also said to benefit

2. Strengthens the bond between parent and newborn - bonding and forming close attachments to your newborn may take time and does not always happen in the days following birth. For example, if you have had a difficult or long and stressful labour or given birth to a premature baby, this may effect the bonding process. Learning to massage your baby by a qualifed infant massage instructor, (in Perth, Western Australia, Natalie Garmson is a certified infant massage instructor and mother of 2 boys) is essential if you want to learn how to confidently apply the right amount of pressure, rate and rhythm of each massage stroke to your baby. Massaging your baby is a special one to one time; a time when you will further understand your baby's body language (or non-verbal cues) through your gentle, nurturing touch.

3. Assists with relieving colic and wind - many parents (I am one of them) have experienced a 'colicky' baby or a baby who has bad wind. They may cry for extended periods, sometimes hours on end or pull their legs up towards their abdomen, crying in pain. Through attending a parent-infant massage course (for example, the 4 session parent-infant massage course Idibidi Kids offers), you will learn the colic massage sequence (or colic massage technique). Massage is particularly useful on the abdomen but must be performed correctly (note: massage strokes must always be done in a clockwise direction).

4. Improves babies sleep - regular massage on a daily basis will assist with regulating your baby's sleep patterns and increase their deep sleep, particularly during the night. This is due to massage releasing the sleep hormone serotonin and regulate melatonin (massage being a form of positive, nurturing touch). Massage is a wonderful addition to your daily routine and takes as little as 10 minutes! Even better, your baby will love you for it.

5. Great for keeping your baby flexible - during the 4 session course with Idibidi Kids Massage, you will learn how to do lymphatic exercises with your baby. These are useful for maintaining your baby's flexibility, but more importantly assists the communication process of the right and left hemispheres of your baby's brain. Lymphatic exercises also improve circulation of the lymphatic system (the 'waste removal' system of the body).

Post by: Natalie Garmson, Owner/Instructor of Idibidi Kids Massage

Great Christmas ideas to be found in Flourish Magazine!

Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Looking for something unique? Check out the latest Flourish magazine, due out early December at leading newsagencies around Western Australia. Issue 8 volume 1 for 2009 is the super Summer edition, containing a special gift feature, perfect for getting ideas for Christmas presents! Idibidi Kids is featuring in this edition, promoting our beautifully presented Idibidi Kids Massage Gift Certificates. A gift certificate in infant massage is a unique and thoughtful present for the new parents or expectant mother-to-be. Gift certificates may be used for the 4 session parent-infant massage course or the 1 hour introductory workshop in infant massage. Available in the Perth metro. area only. So why not spoil that someone special who is pregnant or for the new parent with an Idibidi Kids Massage gift certificate? Its the perfect baby shower gift!

Gift certificates may be viewed online at www.kidsmassage.com.au/products.htm or http://www.flourishmagazine.com.au/

What is Flourish magazine all about? Flourish W.A. is all about women enjoying life now. Flourish is a biannual magazine for women offering a fresh approach to healthy, positive living. The magazine has sections such as Inform, Play, Nourish, About Your Look, and Toolkit. A very informative and enjoyable read for all West Australian women!

Massage... for the young and old!

Massage for the young and old...
I was recently talking to another mum (and friend of mine -I know her through Ethan's school) who lost her mother this year due to unfortunate circumstances. She mentioned that her dad, 72 yrs, is trying to cope with the loneliness of now living by himself. What struck me was when she said how her dad misses the affection; the day-to-day hugs and cuddles he was used to receiving by his (late) wife. She said he is a very 'touchy-feely' person. That got me thinking of how touch is crucial for babies development - without touch, babies will die. Touch is crucial for the health, wellbeing, psychological and physiological development of babies and children. Studies have shown, how in extreme circumstances eg amongst many orphanages around the world, how lack of touch can have a devastating effect on human beings; babies have died or their growth has been stunted.
Massage is for everyone... young and old! Why stop when your baby grows to a toddler and older child? Although babies do go through a stage (the older toddler phase, anywhere from 10 months to 18 months) when trying to offer a massage becomes very tricky (due to their natural development and being very inquisitive; always on the go!), it is important to always offer your child massage - they will eventually come back to wanting a massage! My 8 year old is proof of this. The key is to adapt the infant massage techniques to suit your growing child. You learn how to adapt infant massage for older children in the Idibidi Kids Massage 4 session course www.kidsmassage.com.au/4sessioncourse.htm
Touch is a basic human necessity. Some adults love recieving a massage, whether that be by a qualified massage therapist or even a quick shoulder massage by a loved one. Others do not. This may due to a number of reasons. Touch sensitivity quite often begins in infancy or early childhood. Several reasons may include (courteousy M.I.S.P):
* a difficult labour
* being born prematurely
* experiencing painful medical procedures
* being extremely physically sensitive
* painful or abusive forms of touch (and not recieving nurturing, positive touch by a parent/family member)
* any accident to a particular part of the body
Therefore, before you consider offering a massage or loving touch to your child, friend or family member, it is always important to ask permission first! Otherwise you may be invading their personal space (and this is very disrespectful).
At the other end of the spectrum (referring to the beginning of this post regarding my friend's dad), elderly people are no exception to recieving a massage, or loving touch. Nurturing, loving touch is very reassuring and calming; essential for our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Recieving nurturing, positve touch reduces our stress hormones, can enhance our emotions and improve our mood and also help with sleep. In particular, for the elderly, massage can assist with relieving many conditions experienced with age, such as arthritis and muscle deterioration (ref:Babies and Baby Boomers Embrace Massage Therapy AAMT media release 2007).

Happy massaging,
Natalie :)

Quote for the day -
"Once someone touches your heart, the fingerprints last forever." Anonomyous.

Massage In Schools display at Edgewater Primary School, Perth, Western Australia

Recently, my son's school, Edgewater Primary School, celebrated its 25th anniversary; 1983 to 2008. Idibidi Kids was delighted to have a Massage In Schools display in the school library.
On display were the drawings of each of the 16 strokes for the massage in schools program. These colourful, character drawings are a way for the kids to remember the MISP strokes and sequence. As you can see from the photos, I also had the large MISP banner stand which displays photos of children participating in the Massage In Schools program throughout the world.
The Massage In Schools Program is a peer massage program for children aged 4 to 12 years of age. It is implemented by an internationally qualified Massage in Schools instructor (such as myself!). My role is to teach the kids MISP, which consists of 15 massage strokes, 1 permission sequence (ie asking their friend, or massage buddy, permission to massage) and finally saying 'thank you' to their friend for letting them do the massage routine. It is a series of simple movements that is taught world-wide. They do these movements over clothes on each others back, arms, face, head and shoulders. The key behind this program is that it teaches children respect and positive touch. There are many benefits of this program, for the children, the teacher, the school, for parents and for society. For further details, please visit www.kidsmassage.com.au/massageinschools.html
Congratulations to Edgewater PS for its 25th year! Ethan is currently in Year 3; he enjoys school and has had lovely teachers since he commenced EPS in pre-primary.

The BIG WALK for Princess Margaret Hospital...how did we go?

John Hughes BIG WALK: helping to raise money for the PMH Foundation

On Sunday 19th October, Idibidi Kids (Ethan and myself) participated in the John Hughes BIG WALK, to raise money for the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Foundation. It was a lovely day to be outdoors enjoying the sunshine! How did we go? Well, the start for the 10km was at 930am. I cant estimate how many people were there (lots!), old and young, individuals and groups.... Fitness First was on the stage giving us the pre-walk warm up, so we did that for about 10 minutes then we set off..... Ethan was trying to set a cracking pace, but with the numbers of people there all walking in the same direction (and the fact that we were all competing for room to walk) meant running was a little difficult in the beginning. Ethan was not happy! He can be a little stubborn at times; trying to run ahead, only to stop 2 minutes further down for me, waiting for me to catch up, with "that look"... the "mum, im not happy!" look. So we jogged, then walked, then jogged..... every time we saw a clearing we jogged a little more. I pointed to the Narrows Bridge, telling Ethan, "see the bridge, thats where we're jogging to" with excitement in my voice, encouraging him on. He seemed to take it in his stride (the distance); I thought for a kid his age (8 nearly 9) I was, and still am, very proud of his achievement. I cant say that at his age I ever jogged/walked 10km! We made it to the Narrows in about 1 hour. As we were walking across it, Ethan and I were looking at how far we'd come, in fact, we couldnt even see the starting line. By this stage he was pretty impressed, and had calmed down from the start. As we were making our way around the river, I heard a few people make comments about our shirts, especially how cute the name "Idibidi Kids" is. We had about 3 kms to go, and by this stage Ethan's legs had had enough. He had the energy to run but his legs were aching as they weren't used to walking/running the distance that they had done today! This made him frustrated, especially when I kept on saying, "come on Ethan, lets run!". So we walked the last few km's, albeit slowly but surely we crossed the finish line, having completed the 10km walk in just under 2 hours. Ethan was happy, but relieved, it was over! BUT we hadn't finished ..... as we were walking in to the finish line, they had a vintage car display on the grassed area next to the BIG WALK set up. The enthusiastic vintage car person that I am, there was no way I was going to pass this one up! So Ethan sat under a tree while I wondered on around looking at all the vintage cars (a display from the "Model A Restorers Club of Western Australia"); predominantly most of the cars were from 1928 to 1931. I managed to get Ethan to sit in the drivers seat of one of the cars, so I had to take a photo! (thank you to the lovely gentleman who was happy for Ethan to sit in his car). So to end the day, certificates in hand, we walked back to my car for the drive home.... and yes, we will be back next year!

KidzaBuzz Family Voucher book

So what's the buzz at KidzaBuzz? Everything to do with kids of course! KidzaBuzz is proudly owned and produced by a West Australian family for West Australian families. It contains hundreds of discount vouchers to use at a variety of businesses and organisations throughout Perth and the South West. Vouchers can be used for the whole family, from babies through to teenagers (and adults!), so no one misses out. At only $20 the KidzaBuzz voucher book is a must for everyone!
Idibidi Kids has one voucher in the current edition of KidzaBuzz (note: valid Aug 2008 to Oct 2009) under the "SERVICES" section. This entitles one person to 10% off the price of a parent-infant massage course.

You can even fundraise with the KidzaBuzz book -its the perfect healthy alternative. For further fundraising information or to find your nearest stockist, please visit www.kidzabuzz.com.au

KidzaBuzz also supports charities by donating their KidzaBuzz voucher books; charities including Assocation for the Blind, Autism Association, Cerebral Palsy, Red Kite and Mission Australia, Foster Care Association and Juvenile Diabetes.