Who doesn't love a good massage? It's a perfect way to relax and unwind, a little pampering that can go a long way and baby's love it too! While infant massage has been a traditional part of baby care in many cultures, it is a growing field of interest in North America.

Dr. Tiffany Field is the director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami's School of Medicine. She's conducted studies on how massage affects an infant's development.

According to Dr. Field, babies who are massaged "...are calmer... less irritable, and their sleep is more organized."

Over 30 percent of hospitals in the U.S. now do infant massage on their premature babies, as a result of research done by Fields. She found that massaging preemies helps them get stronger faster, stimulates their appetite, and helps them leave the hospital 60 percent more quickly than those who aren't massaged.

Talk to your doctor or health care nurse if you have any questions about if massage is right for you and your baby.