UNAIR NEWS – Dharma Wanita Persatuan or Indonesian Women Association (DWP) of Universitas Airlangga Faculty of Vocational Studies (FV) held a baby massage workshop on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, in the Traditional Medicine Study Program Secretary Room (Battra).

In the workshop, DWP of UNAIR FV invited keynote speaker Edith Frederika Puruhito SKM MSc, lecturer of Traditional Medicine of UNAIR FV. The workshop was held to support Goal 3 and 4 of SDGs on Good Health and Well-being and Quality Education.

Edith hoped that the baby massage workshop will support the baby’s growth, improve the participant’s knowledge, and can be applied unaided in the future.

Edith shared materials to the mothers attending the event and demonstrated the baby massage comprehensively, including the definition, benefits, and massage techniques using a baby dummy.

It is believed that the baby massage helps stimulate the baby’s growth and prevent the risk of stunting. Besides, a lot of benefits could also be gained.

“Baby massage is effective in treating baby’s digestive problem, such as a bloated belly, and it is good for the respiratory system,” she said.

Edith also explained that massage oils for babies need to be carefully chosen.

“Baby is very sensitive, not every oil fits for massage as it relates to the product’s molecules. Thus, only natural products can be used for the baby,” stated Edith.

The lecturer also warned that even though baby massage can be done on one’s own, the techniques are different from adult massage in general.

“We don’t use energy or strong pressure in the massage, as the baby is still gentle. So, it requires light strokes, softly and gently, all over the body,” she said.

Author: Jihan Aura

Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia