How to massage your baby
Massage can boost your baby’s health in many ways, and it’s also a great way for the two of you to bond
Published 01 April 2008
Baby massage can stimulate all of your baby’s major body systems, and help bring relief from various physical problems such as colic, teething and constipation. Plus, holding and touching is a good way to help your baby feel secure and loved.
Your midwife or health visitor can advise you on how to massage your baby safely and recommend classes in your area. Meanwhile here are some tips on how to get started:
- Make sure your baby would like a massage. Babies are good at letting you know what they want, even though they can’t talk. If he cries and seems unhappy when you start, for example, then stop and try again another time.
- Choose a room that’s warm and free from draughts. Undress your baby and place him on a soft surface, somewhere safe.
- Apply some oil to your hands (use fragrance-free massage oil, or another kind of oil which is free from essential oils, such as grape seed or olive oil), and rub your hands together to warm it. Let your baby see you do this so he learns to recognise what is happening. Be sure to do a small patch test on your baby to check for allergies before applying the oil all over.
- Using firm but gentle pressure, massage your baby very softly using one long stroke, moving from the head down to the toes.
- Gently massage the forehead
- and temples with a circular movement. Stroke down the nose, across the cheeks to the ears.
- Circle the arm with your fingers and thumb and move gently down it. Be aware that the elbow is sensitive.
- Massage the tummy using gentle circular movements in a clockwise direction and caress the legs. Flex the knees and press the thighs gently against the body.
- Apply light pressure to each toe, then to the rest of the foot, using circular strokes at the heels. Turn your baby onto his tummy and gently massage the shoulders and back with small circular movements, avoiding the spine.
- Always listen, watch and talk to your baby to ensure he is comfortable, happy and enjoying it.
- If your baby cries, address his needs. If he seems to have had enough, finish the session.
Find out more
- The Guild of Infant and Child Massage
www.gicm.org.uk
- International Association of Infant Massage
www.iaim.org.uk
- Make way for baby
www.makewayforbaby.com
- Teach yourself Baby Massage and Yoga by Anita Epple and Pauline Carpenter (£8.99, Hodder Education)
Picture: Jupiter
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