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Postpartum recovery is a time of immense physical, emotional, and psychological adjustment. While it can be joyful, it can also be accompanied by unexpected challenges, especially when trauma is involved. Trauma—whether from a difficult pregnancy, labor, birth experience, or past life events—can profoundly affect a mother’s emotional wellness, her ability to bond with her babee, and even milk supply.
Understanding the connections between trauma, postpartum wellness, and breastfeeding can empower parents and healthcare providers to take proactive steps toward healing. One powerful and nurturing tool to support this healing is infant massage techniques, which offers benefits for both parents and their babees.
Understanding Trauma and Its Postpartum Impact
Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. In the context of childbirth, trauma can stem from various factors, including:
- Emergency medical interventions or complications during delivery.
- Unexpected outcomes, such as preterm birth or a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- Loss of autonomy or feeling unheard during the birthing process.
- Pain, fear, or previous unresolved traumas resurfacing during birth.
When trauma occurs, the body activates its fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. For new mothers, these hormones can linger long after delivery, affecting their emotional and physical recovery.
Emotional Wellness
Postpartum trauma can contribute to mental health conditions such as postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can make it difficult for a mother to feel joy, relaxation, or connection during what is already a vulnerable time. Common symptoms include irritability, feelings of inadequacy, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty sleeping.
Bonding with Babee
Trauma can interfere with a mother's ability to bond with her babee, a critical process for emotional and physical health. The stress and overwhelming emotions stemming from trauma may make it hard for a mother to engage in the nurturing behaviors that foster secure attachment, such as holding, talking, or maintaining eye contact with her babee.
Breastfeeding and Milk Supply
Trauma and stress directly impact lactation by affecting the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the let-down reflex. High cortisol levels can inhibit milk production, leading to a frustrating cycle: stress reduces milk supply, and struggling with breastfeeding increases stress. This cycle can make mothers feel as though they are failing, further amplifying emotional distress.
How Infant Massage Can Help
Infant massage is a gentle and intentional practice that involves stroking a babee’s body in a way that promotes relaxation, bonding, and communication. While it may seem simple, the benefits of infant massage extend far beyond the act itself, addressing several key aspects of postpartum trauma recovery.
1. Supports Emotional Wellness
Infant massage encourages the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of calm and connection. This can help both mother and babee reduce stress and anxiety. For mothers experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, the physical act of touch can ground them in the present moment, helping to reduce intrusive or overwhelming thoughts.
Moreover, infant massage provides mothers with a structured and positive activity they can focus on, fostering a sense of accomplishment and nurturing.
For Example:
A mother struggling with postpartum depression shares how incorporating a 10-minute massage routine into her daily schedule became a ritual of connection and healing. Over time, this consistent practice helped improve her mood and deepen her bond with her babee.
2. Fosters Secure Attachment and Bonding
One of the most significant benefits of infant massage is its role in strengthening the parent-child bond. The skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, and communication during massage create an environment of safety and connection. This can be particularly healing for mothers who feel detached from their babees due to trauma.
Through consistent practice, mothers learn to read their babee’s cues and respond to their needs, building trust and fostering a secure attachment.
Take a peek at this case study
A mother who experienced a traumatic emergency C-section felt distant from her babee during the first few weeks postpartum. After being introduced to infant massage by her doula, she noticed her babee responding with smiles and coos during the sessions. This positive interaction helped her rebuild confidence in her ability to nurture her child.
3. Improves Milk Supply Through Relaxation
Infant massage can indirectly support breastfeeding by promoting relaxation and oxytocin release in mothers. As stress levels decrease, milk production often improves. Additionally, incorporating massage into a pre-nursing routine can help calm both mother and babee, making breastfeeding more successful and less stressful.
Practical Tip!!
Massaging your babee’s legs and feet for a few minutes before nursing can soothe the babee, enhance oxytocin levels, and signal the body to prepare for milk let-down.
Trauma-Sensitive Tips for Infant Massage
For mothers recovering from trauma, it’s essential to approach infant massage with sensitivity and flexibility. Here are some trauma-informed guidelines:
Start Small: Begin with short sessions (5–10 minutes) to avoid overwhelming yourself or your babee.
Focus on Comfort: Choose a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions. Play soothing music if it helps you relax.
Follow the Babee’s Lead: Observe your babee’s reactions. If they seem uncomfortable, adjust your touch or pause the session.
Include Yourself in the Routine: Deep breathing or gentle stretching before massage can help you center yourself and reduce stress.
Seek Guidance if Needed: If you’re unsure where to start, consider taking a class or consulting a certified infant massage educator.
What’s the Proof?!
Scientific Evidence Supporting Infant Massage
Several studies highlight the benefits of infant massage for both mother and babee:
- A study published in Infant Behavior and Development found that infant massage reduced cortisol levels in infants and improved maternal mood, particularly for mothers experiencing postpartum depression.
- Research from the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing demonstrated that infant massage improved maternal-infant interaction and contributed to better sleep and feeding behaviors.
- A review in Early Human Development emphasized the role of massage in enhancing infant growth, relaxation, and secure attachment.
BEE-lieve What My Honeys Have Said l:Real-Life Testimonials: Healing Through Touch
Janelle’s Story
Janelle, a first-time mother, experienced a traumatic birth that left her feeling emotionally detached from her newborn. She described the early days as “just going through the motions.” A lactation consultant suggested that she take her one of my classes infant massage as a way to rebuild connection. Over several weeks, Janelle noticed small but powerful changes: her babee’s joyful expressions during massage sessions, the calm she felt afterward, and a newfound sense of confidence in her parenting.
Nina’s Story
Nina, a mother of twins born prematurely, struggled with low milk supply and overwhelming stress from their NICU stay. When she began massaging her babees during their feedings, she saw improvements in their weight gain and felt more relaxed, which positively affected her milk production.
How Can Healthcare Providers Can Support Mothers?!
Healthcare providers, including doulas, lactation consultants, and therapists, can play a pivotal role in introducing mothers to the benefits of infant massage. Key strategies include:
Offering Classes: Collaborating and hosting workshops or one-on-one sessions to teach parents basic massage techniques.
Providing Resources: Share videos, books, or online tutorials about infant massage.
Creating a Safe Space: Normalize conversations about postpartum trauma and reassure mothers that healing is possible.
Postpartum trauma is an often-overlooked factor that can deeply affect emotional wellness, bonding, and milk supply. Understanding these connections is the first step in providing effective support.
Infant massage offers a gentle, accessible, and evidence-based way to heal the physical and emotional wounds of trauma. By fostering relaxation, building trust, and promoting oxytocin release, this practice benefits both mother and babee, creating a foundation for lifelong health and connection.
With support from healthcare professionals, this practice can be a powerful tool for reclaiming joy, connection, and confidence after trauma.
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