Renowned Certified Infant Massage Instructor Elina Furman has just released her must-have book, 101 Baby Hacks, offering essential tips for new parents. In this exclusive Q&A, Elina shares insights from her expertise in baby massage, including how the Kahlmi baby massager can soothe infants and strengthen the parent-baby bond. If you’re looking for expert advice on creating a calming, nurturing environment for your little one, this conversation with Elina is full of invaluable tips! —Noa Nichol
What inspired you to write 101 Baby Hacks, and how did your experience as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor influence the content of the book?
When I became a mom for the first time in 2008, I often found myself wishing babies came with some sort of instruction manual for when things inevitably went wrong.
Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to have become somewhat of a baby expert—both on social media and television. As a certified infant massage instructor and the founder of Kahlmi, I now spend my time helping new moms through the whirlwind of baby-related challenges, big and small. But I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t always this confident. In fact, I was the most anxious, overwhelmed first-time mom I knew. The first year was incredibly tough—not only juggling the demands of motherhood with working from home, but also feeling utterly clueless about the basics of baby care. If only I had known back then how powerful touch and massage could be in fostering a deeper connection with my baby. I had no idea that something as simple as learning a few massage techniques could make such a huge difference.
Like so many moms today, I felt completely overwhelmed, isolated, and stressed. I spent countless hours researching ways to soothe colic and improve sleep, all while trying to balance a full-time job. Left alone to figure it all out, I was constantly faced with baby issues that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. I wanted to create a book to help troubleshoot common issues, one that was easy to scan in the middle of the night as well as during travel because parents don’t have time to read long books.
Your book highlights baby massage techniques that many new parents may not be familiar with. What are some of the most overlooked benefits of baby massage, and how do these techniques help with common baby issues like colic and teething?
Babies come into the world with an incredible number of neurons, ready to build the connections that will shape their development. Through simple interactions like touch, massage, cuddling, singing, and playing, you’re helping their brain form essential neural pathways. Every time you engage with your baby in this way, you’re activating their brain, which can lead to significant benefits not just for them, but for you as well. It’s amazing to realize that the first three years of a baby’s life are pivotal, creating the foundation for their future well-being and shaping their neurological framework for the years to come.
In Western cultures, we’re only now beginning to appreciate the profound impact that natural, holistic methods like baby massage can have on our children’s growth and health.
Thanks to increasing research and funding, baby massage is gaining more attention, as studies continue to highlight the many advantages it offers. Modern medical research confirms that baby massage benefits not only infants, but parents too, and can lead to:
- Better bonding between baby and caregiver
- Support for healthy growth and weight gain
- Regulation of stress hormones for both baby and parent
- Improved sleep quality and duration
- Decreased crying and restlessness
- Enhanced digestion and relief from colic
- Boosted motor skills and physical development
- Stronger immune system
- Less discomfort and pain
- Reduced postpartum depression and anxiety for caregivers
What makes baby massage truly special is that it benefits both the giver and the receiver equally. As you massage your baby, not only are you lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) in both of you, but you’re also boosting oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin—hormones that promote feelings of happiness and connection. This creates a sense of calm and bonding for the whole family. At its core, baby massage is a form of two-way communication. It helps you tune into your baby’s needs and preferences, while giving them the comfort of being understood. In a world full of distractions, this kind of focused, intentional time together is invaluable.
The Kahlmi baby massager has been described as “The Theragun for Babies.” Can you explain how its specific settings and tools—like Acu-Touch and Bathtime Bliss—work in tandem with baby massage to soothe infants and improve their sleep?
The Kahlmi baby massager is thoughtfully designed to provide a gentle, calming experience for babies, offering multiple features that contribute to their well-being and development. It is crafted with the utmost care to ensure it’s safe for even the youngest babies. The vibrations are soft enough to ensure comfort without overwhelming their sensitive nervous systems, and the materials used are baby-safe, designed for their delicate skin.
Incorporating the Kahlmi massager into daily routines—whether for relaxation, sleep, or digestive support—helps promote not only physical benefits for babies but also emotional and psychological well-being for both baby and parent. It’s a tool that provides holistic care through the power of touch and soothing vibrations.
The wand can be used a soother as well as an enhancement aid when doing a hand massage. It is NOT a replacement for hand massage and skin-to-skin contact. Many parents use it in tandem with a full hand massage to provide additional sensory experiences.
1. Gentle Vibrations
The Kahlmi baby massager delivers low, soothing vibrations, specifically calibrated to be gentle enough for a baby’s delicate body. These subtle vibrations mimic the calming sensations babies might experience when being rocked or patted, which helps relax their nervous system. This gentle stimulation can promote deeper relaxation, reduce stress, and help babies settle more easily—ideal for calming fussy babies, especially during bedtime or after feeding.
2. Three Adjustable Settings
To cater to different needs and preferences, the Kahlmi massager comes with three vibration settings:
- Low: A soft, whisper-like vibration that’s perfect for newborns or when you want to provide the lightest stimulation.
- Medium: A slightly stronger vibration for moderate soothing, ideal as babies grow or when they need a little extra comfort.
- High: A more noticeable vibration setting designed for times when babies may need deeper soothing or for more energetic moments. This range of settings allows parents to adjust the intensity based on their baby’s mood, comfort level, or developmental stage.
3. Acupressure
The Kahlmi massager also features Acu-nodes, small, textured points that work to provide light acupressure to targeted areas of the baby’s body. These nodes are inspired by reflexology techniques, helping to stimulate key pressure points that can aid in digestion, relieve colic, and promote overall relaxation. When combined with the massager’s gentle vibrations, these nodes can enhance circulation and stimulate sensory and motor pathways, helping to support healthy growth.
4. Bathtime Bliss: The Kahlmi Bathtime Bliss attachment is a specialized add-on designed to enhance the baby’s bath experience, integrating the soothing power of water with the gentle vibrations of the Kahlmi baby massager. This attachment transforms bathtime into a relaxing, sensory-rich experience for babies, combining the calming effects of warm water with the therapeutic benefits of gentle massage.
- Sleep is often a huge challenge for new parents. How can the massage techniques from 101 Baby Hacks and the Kahlmi massager help establish a better sleep routine for babies, particularly during times of disruption like daylight savings or holiday travel?
While one massage won’t instantly transform a restless baby into a perfect sleeper, research shows that consistent baby massage can significantly improve sleep over time, helping little ones become more skilled at self-soothing.
For instance, a study led by Argarwal and colleagues found that babies slept better immediately following a massage. Another study explored the longer-term impact of regular baby massage and discovered that by 8 weeks, babies who were massaged before bedtime began to establish a healthier sleep-wake cycle. By 12 weeks, these babies were producing more melatonin at night, a key hormone for regulating sleep.
In 2010, Dr. Tiffany Field’s research demonstrated that babies who were massaged by their mothers showed less irritability and fewer sleep disruptions.
Incorporating massage into your baby’s evening routine also serves as a natural signal that bedtime is approaching, what we call a “sleep cue”. This can aid in regulating their circadian rhythms, which is crucial for establishing a regular sleep pattern. Beyond its impact on the body clock, massage has a soothing effect on your baby’s nervous system, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn can lead to a more peaceful and restorative night’s sleep.
101 Baby Hacks includes specific massage for helping your baby fall asleep and also general advice for massage techniques.
With cold and flu season approaching, many parents are concerned about congestion and discomfort in their infants. How do baby massage and the Kahlmi massager offer natural, non-invasive ways to alleviate these symptoms?
The Kahlmi baby massager and baby massage in general can help to boost a baby’s immune system and relieve discomfort during colds. The gentle vibrations and acupressure nodes work together to stimulate the body, promoting better circulation and overall well-being.
1. Boosting Circulation
The Kahlmi massager’s gentle vibrations stimulate blood flow, which helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the baby’s tissues. This improved circulation enhances the immune response, as a well-oxygenated body is better equipped to fight off infections.
2. Supporting Lymphatic Drainage
Baby massage can aid in lymphatic drainage, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. By gently massaging areas like the chest, back, and neck, the massager encourages the movement of lymph—a fluid that contains white blood cells vital for immunity. This helps the baby’s body remove waste and fight off infections more effectively.
3. Relieving Congestion
For babies dealing with colds, baby massage and the vibrations of the Kahlmi massager can offer relief from congestion. Use the massager on the chest and back to help break up mucus and improve breathing. The gentle vibrations relax tight muscles in the chest area, making it easier for babies to breathe and eliminate mucus.
4. Relaxation and Stress Reduction
A baby’s immune system can be compromised by stress, especially during illness. The soothing vibrations from the massager help calm the nervous system, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. This creates a more relaxed environment for healing and supports the body’s ability to fight off viruses or colds.
5. Stimulating Acupressure Points for Immunity
The Kahlmi massager’s acupressure nodes can be used to gently stimulate key pressure points that are known to enhance immunity. For example, massaging specific areas on the hands and feet can help strengthen the body’s natural defenses, making it easier for babies to fend off colds and other illnesses. The reflexology points included in 101 Baby Hacks feature ways to reduce fever, hiccups and even ear aches.
Win! An Elina Furman x Kahlmi Prize Pack!
One lucky North American winner will receive a prize pack of the just-released 101 Baby Hacks book (written by renowned Certified Infant Massage Instructor Elina Furman) + the Kahlmi baby massager that soothes infants and strengthens the baby/parent bond! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @getkahlmi and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens October 30, 2024 and closes November 5, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.
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