"Parents have a therapy at their fingertips that may offer their baby protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), an Australian pediatrician says."
"Reducing a newborn's SIDS risk could be as simple as massaging them, said Associate Professor Graham Reynolds, as the practice was known to naturally boost a baby's serotonin levels."
"'Scientists have known for a long time that touch and skin-to-skin contact play a major role in the development of serotonin pathways in babies brains,' said Dr Reynolds, who is Director of Paediatric Research at The Canberra Hospital and also patron of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM)."
"As well as playing a role in mood and behaviour, serotonin acts as a regulator of the body's basic life-sustaining functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, sleep cycles and respiration."
I love giving Stephen massages (when he'll hold still enough or isn't too ready to nurse and go to sleep) after bath time. He likes it too, and will hold his legs up for me to massage---so cute! Plus then he smells like lotion, which I love. Cool to see that it can also reduce SIDS risk for babies---really amazing. A great way to bond, plus could save your baby's life? WOW.
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