How To Massage Your Baby

Baby Massage is an age-old practice that is now gaining popularity in the West. It is said to have many benefits, including improved communication between you and your baby, improving your baby’s sleep and play, and alleviating symptoms of colic. The techniques of baby massage are simple to learn, but it is worth bearing in mind that babies should always be handled with a gentle touch, and never continue with the massage if they clearly are not enjoying it.

If possible take a class or course in baby massage to learn the techniques from a qualified instructor. The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) can put you in touch with an instructor in your area. Most courses last from four to six weeks, and include a bottle of massage lotion which is right for your baby’s skin type.

Here is a guide to a basic massage for you to try with your baby at home.

Preparation

Choose a time to massage your baby when he is not hungry or too tired. Many parents give the massage after bath-time, but initially it may be better to give it after one of your baby’s daytime naps. Although massage is relaxing in the long-term, many young babies will find it fairly stimulating to begin with until they learn to wind-down and relax with the sense of touch. So don’t be surprised if your baby seems more alert after the massage than before!

Lay your baby somewhere soft and warm, either on his changing table or on a mat on the floor. Lay your baby on his back and smile and talk gently while you give the massage. Baby massage instructors recommend asking your baby’s permission to give them a massage. This may seem odd, but as your baby grows it sends a message that you are respecting their body and their privacy.

It is better to use a massage oil specially prepared for babies as this will cause less friction and be safe should any get into baby’s mouth or eyes. You may want to open the diaper a little while you massage the legs and stomach, and then replace it to prevent any accidents!

Giving the massage

Start by warming some of the oil in your hands. If your hands are very dry they may absorb most of the oil, so add a little more; you don’t want to drag your baby’s skin. Hold one leg firmly (if you appear confident, your baby will feel confident in you) and then begin to massage with long, gentle strokes. You can massage up towards the feet, and then down again. Move on to the feet and toes, taking time to relax and massage each area. Then repeat on the other leg. Gently bend the legs towards the stomach to help release trapped gas.

Next, move up to the stomach area and massage gently in circles – always in a clockwise direction. If you left the diaper on, remove it now to expose the stomach and then replace it before you begin the chest. The chest should be massage in gentle strokes across from the shoulder in a diagonal direction.

Massage your baby’s arms in a similar way to the legs, taking care not to put too much oil onto his hands. Once you finish, turn your baby over and gently massage his back, taking care not to press the spine. If your baby doesn’t like lying on his front yet, place him across your knees while you stroke his back.

Obviously Dads can get involved in baby massage too. In fact, this is an excellent way to help the bonding process. Massage can be given in various forms to infants and children right up to the time when they think it is really ‘un-cool’, so start now to make it a regular part of your routine.

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