By Dr. Kimberly Day, OTD, MS, BCP, CIMI-2, CPRCS, PMH-C, PCES, OT R/L
Pediatric, Maternal, and Family Health Occupational Therapist | Board Certified in Pediatrics | Nervous System Regulation Specialist | Owner of Sunny Day Therapy in Lexington, KY
Medically reviewed and written by a licensed occupational therapist specializing in infant development, childhood milestones, sensory integration, feeding therapy, executive functioning, and maternal mental health. This is an article for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For any medical concerns, please schedule an occupational therapy evaluation for personalized wellness plan based on your infant’s physical, emotional, mental, and social needs.
Infant Therapy in Lexington, KY: Gentle Support for Your Baby’s Growth and Development
One of the very first ways babies experience the world is through touch. Gentle, nurturing touch helps babies feel safe, connected, and regulated while supporting healthy brain and body development.
At Sunny Day Therapy in Lexington, Kentucky, our pediatric occupational therapists use infant massage as part of a comprehensive infant therapy program to help babies experiencing muscle tension, torticollis, feeding challenges, gas discomfort, reflux, sensory differences, developmental delays, and difficulties with calming or sleeping.
Whether your baby is a newborn, was born prematurely, or simply seems uncomfortable in their body, occupational therapy can provide gentle, evidence-based strategies that support both your baby’s development and your confidence as a parent.
What Is Infant Massage?
Infant massage is a therapeutic technique that uses gentle, developmentally appropriate touch to support a baby’s nervous system, muscles, digestion, sensory processing, and parent-child bonding.
Unlike a spa massage, occupational therapists carefully adapt techniques based on each baby’s:
- Muscle tone
- Movement patterns
- Sensory preferences
- Developmental milestones
- Feeding needs
- Medical history
Every treatment plan is individualized because every baby develops differently.
Why Infant Massage Matters
Touch is one of the earliest senses to develop in the womb, and it continues to play a vital role after birth. Research shows that positive touch supports healthy brain development, emotional regulation, and secure attachment between babies and their caregivers.
Occupational therapists use infant massage as an evidence-based intervention to support:
- Sensory integration
- Parent-infant bonding
- Nervous system regulation
- Motor development
- Body awareness
- Daily routines and co-regulation
For babies who were born prematurely, have developmental delays, or demonstrate sensory processing differences, infant massage can become an important part of therapy while empowering parents to actively participate in their child’s care.
Research-Supported Benefits of Infant Massage
Improved Sleep and Regulation
Studies have found that infant massage may improve sleep quality by helping babies fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and experience fewer nighttime awakenings. Research also suggests massage may reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, helping babies regulate more effectively.
Supports Motor, Sensory, and Nervous System Development
Gentle rhythmic pressure stimulates the tactile sensory system and the vagus nerve, encouraging activation of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system.
Research suggests this may support:
- Improved sensory processing
- Better body awareness
- Increased motor development
- Improved self-regulation
- Reduced stress responses
These benefits may be especially helpful for babies with sensory sensitivities, muscle tension, or delayed motor skills.
Strengthens Parent-Infant Bonding
One of the greatest benefits of infant massage is the opportunity for meaningful connection.
Massage creates intentional moments of eye contact, communication, and responsive caregiving while stimulating the release of oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”—for both parent and baby.
Research has shown parents participating in infant massage programs often experience:
- Reduced stress
- Less anxiety
- Fewer symptoms of postpartum depression
- Increased confidence caring for their baby
May Help Relieve Gas, Constipation, and Muscle Tension
Gentle abdominal massage may help encourage digestion and reduce gas discomfort for some babies.
Massage may also help babies experiencing:
- Muscle tightness
- High muscle tone
- Low muscle tone
- General body tension
By helping the body relax, massage prepares babies for movement, feeding, tummy time, and play.
Infant Massage for Torticollis
One of the most common reasons families seek infant occupational therapy is torticollis, a condition where tight neck muscles cause a baby to consistently turn or tilt their head to one side.
Massage is never used as the only treatment, but it is an excellent complement to occupational therapy by helping:
- Relax tight muscles
- Improve body awareness
- Prepare the neck for gentle stretching
- Increase comfort during movement
- Encourage symmetrical development
- Make tummy time more successful
At Sunny Day Therapy, we combine infant massage with developmental exercises, positioning strategies, play-based interventions, and caregiver education to support healthy movement patterns.
Can Infant Massage Help Babies with Gas, Reflux, or Colic?
Many parents ask whether massage can help babies who struggle with digestive discomfort.
While massage is not a cure for reflux, gas, or colic, gentle abdominal massage may:
- Encourage digestion
- Help move trapped gas
- Promote relaxation
- Reduce body tension
- Support comfortable feeding routines
Your occupational therapist can teach safe techniques to use at home alongside recommendations from your pediatrician.
How Occupational Therapy Uses Infant Massage
At Sunny Day Therapy, infant massage is only one part of a comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation.
Depending on your baby’s individual needs, treatment may include:
- Infant massage
- Torticollis treatment
- Tummy time coaching
- Positioning recommendations
- Feeding support
- Sensory regulation strategies
- Developmental play
- Parent coaching
- Home exercise programs
Our goal is to empower families with practical strategies they can confidently incorporate into daily routines.
Signs Your Baby May Benefit from Infant Therapy
Your baby may benefit from an occupational therapy evaluation if they:
- Prefer looking to one side
- Have torticollis
- Are developing a flat spot on their head
- Feel unusually stiff or floppy
- Dislike tummy time
- Experience reflux or frequent gas
- Have feeding difficulties
- Were born prematurely
- Have delayed motor milestones
- Are difficult to soothe
- Seem unusually sensitive to touch or movement
Early intervention can make a meaningful difference because babies’ brains and bodies are rapidly developing during the first year of life.
Infant Therapy in Lexington, KY
Families throughout Lexington, Hamburg, Richmond Road, Georgetown, Nicholasville, Winchester, Paris, and Central Kentucky trust Sunny Day Therapy to provide compassionate, evidence-based infant occupational therapy.
We help babies experiencing:
- Torticollis
- Muscle tension
- Feeding challenges
- Sensory processing differences
- Developmental delays
- Low or high muscle tone
- Reflux and feeding concerns
- Difficulties with self-regulation
Every treatment plan is personalized to meet your baby’s unique strengths and needs while empowering parents with practical tools for home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an occupational therapist do for infants?
Occupational therapists help babies develop the skills needed for everyday life, including feeding, movement, sensory processing, play, sleep, and bonding with caregivers. Therapy focuses on improving participation in daily routines while supporting healthy development.
Can infant massage help torticollis?
Yes. Infant massage can be an effective part of occupational therapy by relaxing tight muscles, improving body awareness, and preparing the neck for stretching and developmental exercises. Massage is most effective when combined with individualized therapy and caregiver education.
Does infant massage help babies with gas or constipation?
Gentle abdominal massage may help stimulate digestion and reduce gas discomfort for some babies. Your occupational therapist can teach safe techniques appropriate for your child’s age and needs.
Can occupational therapy help with infant reflux?
Yes. Occupational therapists address positioning, feeding techniques, body tension, sensory regulation, and caregiver education to improve comfort during feeding. While OT does not treat the underlying medical cause of reflux, therapy can support feeding success and daily routines.
My baby always looks to one side. Should I be concerned?
A strong preference for turning the head to one side may be a sign of torticollis or muscle tightness. Early evaluation can identify the cause and begin treatment before movement patterns become more difficult to change.
Can infant therapy help babies who dislike tummy time?
Absolutely. Many babies avoid tummy time because of muscle tightness, weakness, reflux, sensory sensitivities, or discomfort. Occupational therapists identify the underlying cause and provide individualized strategies that make tummy time more successful.
How early can my baby start occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy can begin shortly after birth if concerns are identified. Early intervention often leads to the best outcomes because the brain and nervous system are developing rapidly during infancy.
Is infant massage safe?
Yes. When taught by a trained occupational therapist and adapted to your baby’s developmental needs and medical history, infant massage is generally considered safe for healthy infants.
What happens during an infant occupational therapy evaluation?
Your therapist will assess your baby’s:
- Motor development
- Muscle tone
- Range of motion
- Reflexes
- Sensory processing
- Feeding skills (when appropriate)
- Head shape and positioning
- Daily routines
- Parent concerns
Together, you’ll create a personalized treatment plan designed to support your baby’s development and your family’s goals.
How many therapy sessions will my baby need?
Every baby is unique. Some families need only a few sessions to learn home strategies, while others benefit from ongoing therapy depending on developmental needs and progress.
Do I need a referral for infant occupational therapy in Kentucky?
Some insurance plans allow direct access to occupational therapy, while others require a referral from your pediatrician. Our team is happy to help you understand your insurance benefits before scheduling.
Schedule Infant Therapy in Lexington, KY
If you’re concerned about your baby’s muscle tension, torticollis, feeding, reflux, gas discomfort, sensory development, or motor milestones, we’re here to help.
At Sunny Day Therapy, we provide individualized infant occupational therapy using evidence-based interventions that help babies build strong foundations for movement, regulation, feeding, and everyday development.
Whether you’re seeking support for torticollis, infant massage, sensory challenges, or developmental concerns, our compassionate team is ready to partner with your family.
Contact Sunny Day Therapy today to schedule an infant occupational therapy evaluation in Lexington, Kentucky. We’d be honored to help your little one thrive.
Learn more about Sunny Day Therapy at: https://sunnydaytherapy.net
Learn more about infant massage benefits from Dr. Day’s podcast appearance on The Postpartum OT’s The Fourth Trimester podcast.(also now on YouTube):
https://youtu.be/nXt_90z5CrE?si=MnecLmd_Pu6gdNb1
Systematic Review Research and Evidence on the Benefits of Infant Massage: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9179989
Sunny Day Therapy offers infant massage classes occasionally to support families in general introductory education techniques about infant massage. Friday July 17, 2026 at 1:00pm and Monday August 17, at 10:30am are our next classes. 20 dollars. Bring your baby (or a stuffed animal if needed) and a blanket. Expecting parents also welcome! Preregistration recommend but not required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/udb2RLL39rTYtWPY8. (Located at our office in Stonecrest Office Colonies 1795 Alysheba Way, Lexington KY 40509. Class located in sensory gym which can be entered directly through Suite 2103, first floor.)
We love partnering with collaborating community partners to offer infant massage and other educational events at other locations as well. Follow our Facebook and instagram to keep up with the latest events (links on our contact page). Contact us!
References
McCarty, D. B., Willett, S., Kimmel, M., & Vittner, D. (2023). Benefits of maternally-administered infant massage for mothers of hospitalized preterm infants: A scoping review. Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology, 9(1), 6.
Mrljak, R., Arnsteg Danielsson, A., Hedov, G., & Garmy, P. (2022). Effects of Infant Massage: A Systematic Review.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6378.
Rakhmawati, W., et al. (2024). Potential of massage therapy for improved growth and development among infants under 9 months. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 17, 3931–3943.
Rezaei, R., Sharif Nia, H., Nazari, R., Beheshti, Z., & Saatsaz, S. (2023). The efficacy of massage as a nightly bedtime routine on infant sleep condition and mother sleep quality. BMC Pediatrics, 23, Article 253.