Oil massage to newborn in India is practiced since Centuries and especially mentioned in Ayurveda. Which provides tactile stimulation to newborns and infants, also improves blood supply and reduces stress, results in better sleep (one of the importance factor for normal secretion og HGH). One of the theory established in pathogenesis of SIDS is chronic low grade hypoxia. Countries like USA are having more incidence of SIDS, where such practices are minimal. Can we hypothesized that Oil massage plays important role in preventing SIDS.
Yes it can be established sir, as per saint Sushrutha - " Sneha Saaro ayam purushaha, pranascha sneha bhuyishta" (verse in Sanskrit from his sneha adhyaya) human body itself is constituted out of conglomeration of various kinds of lipids and its harmony maintains good health and nourishment.
As Ayurveda the ancient traditional wisdom is culturally adopted in every part of India, oil massage to new borns are very common especially in southern parts of India. Specially trained females are appointed to massage and bathe the baby and also herbal infusions are also used to bathe the mother after medicated oil applications, that might be the reason why in earlier times females could bear more offsprings without any physical trouble as normal deliveries.
New borns are very detailed in ayurveda right from birth to the age he attains 16 years of age. Among all the age group and developmental period systematic use of lipid, its nature, oil massage external therapies are all mentioned in detail.
There are many causes for SIDS, safe sleeping position etc are among them, however, the link between serotonin and SIDS has been established in some studies, and it is well-known skin to skin contact that too during Abhyanga (Oil Massage in this case) may help in better development of serotonin pathways in babies brains, this can be one way it can help, besides it, there are many other reasons which need to be looked into. Shobhit Kumar
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