A recent study published in Enfermia Clinica aimed to assess the influence of body massage on the sleep quantity of babies aged 3-6 months.

This was a quasi-experimental survey undertaken through interviews of mothers of babies who visited at Puskesmas Tirawuta, East Kolaka District, in 2017. The population selected was babies aged 3-6 months with decreased sleeping quantity. 

It was noted that seven mothers reported of their babies being fussy and had trouble sleeping. In addition, several mothers had complaints like – their babies woke up frequently during their night-time sleep, and cried when they woke up. While seven mothers said they knew or had heard about baby massage but did not know how to perform a proper baby massage. On the other hand, three mothers stated that they did not know how to massage a baby

The findings revealed that there was a significant effect giving baby massage on the quantity of sleep among infants aged 3-6 months. It was recommended that health workers need to conduct counseling, demonstration and distribution of leaflets to motivate mothers to massage their babies. 

Source: EnfermiaClinica.2020 Jun;30 Suppl 5:224-227. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.11.060.