Well-Being of Infants Through Touch: The Effects of Massage on Sleep Quality and Weight Gain in the First 0-12 Months

The initial stage of an infant's life, from 0 to 12 months, is a critical period in their
development. Growth optimization during this period depends on nutrition,
emotional support, and early stimulation. Particularly, an infant's sleep quality is a key
adaptive mechanism that influences their growth and well-being. This study aims to
understand the impact of infant massage on the sleep quality of infants aged 0-12
months and to evaluate the influence of infant massage on weight gain in this age
group. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic review of the impact of infant
massage on infants aged 0-12 months, using the PubMed and Google Scholar
databases from 2018 to 2023. Of 855 articles, 29 met the inclusion criteria according
to PRISMA guidelines. The results show that regular infant massage, ideally 3-4 times
a week for 15-30 minutes, significantly improves sleep quality and weight gain in
infants aged 0-12 months. The effectiveness of infant massage is influenced by various
factors such as environmental conditions, daily nutrition, massage routines, daily
activities of the baby, and health conditions. This study implies that infant massage
can be an important and effective intervention to support healthy infant growth and
development, particularly in improving sleep quality and weight gain in infants aged
0-12 months, thereby encouraging the incorporation of infant massage as an integral
part of daily baby care.