Mothers' experience of infant massage in child health care: A qualitative interview study.
Marlene Danielsson, Hanna Hansson Lustig, Pernilla Garmy and 1 others
PMID 38875351WHAT IT FOUND
Swedish mothers described infant massage taught by child health care nurses as a tool for closeness, relaxation, and perceived relief of stomach problems, while group distractions, time, and babies' preferences made it uneven.
Key findings
01Mothers described child health care nurses' explanations, support, and written information as helping them learn massage movements and feel less worried about harming the baby.
02Mothers said massage created time together, interaction and connection, relaxation, and perceived relief from stomach problems and anxiety.
03Some mothers found group sessions stressful because children were disturbed, and some struggled to fit massage into home routines because of time, siblings, and distractions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study interviewed 11 mothers, not a random sample, and all had university education. The sample was limited to southern Sweden and parents who had received infant massage training from child health care services. Fathers did not participate, although they were invited. The study asked about experiences and perceptions, not measured infant outcomes, so it cannot show that massage reduces stomach problems, anxiety, or attachment problems.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the Gyllenstiernska Krapperup Foundation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that infant massage treats stomach problems, anxiety, or attachment problems. It interviewed 11 university-educated mothers about their experiences, with no comparison group or measured outcomes.