The loving touch of
a baby massage lessens stress both in your baby and
yourself. Your baby’s digestion is improved, helping
relieve gas and colic symptoms. Other benefits can be
sounder and longer sleep patterns, neurological development
and weight gain. Baby massaget may even help to boost
the immune system. Your baby develops body and mind
awareness and coordination as well as feeling loved,
respected and secure.
Preparation is important when giving your baby a
massage. Choose a time of day when your baby is wide
awake and not too close to a feed. Find somewhere
comfortable and warm for you baby to lie naked on
a blanket or folded towel either in front of you or
between your legs. This will take 10 to 15 minutes
so put on a soothing CD first. Have the massage oil
close at hand and rub a small amount between your
hands to start with.
Use long and slow steady strokes while ensuring you
keep at least one hand on your baby. Start with gentle
pressure using the thumb, the first 2 fingers or the
palm of your hand beginning with the chest, moving
up to wards the chin and spreading across to the sides
of the rib cage. Keep eye contact and talk to your
baby when you massage as your voice will be soothing
too. With one hand, stroke the tummy in a U shape,
moving down one side, across the bottom of the stomach
and up the other side. Carry on to the head and face
using your fingertips. Lightly rub the scalp in circles
(avoiding the fontanel) then up the nose, across the
forehead and down the cheeks. For the arms and legs,
wrap both hands one above the other around the arm
or leg and move your hands with gentle squeezing from
top to bottom. Massage the hands and the feet with
your thumbs and stroke each finger and toe. Finally,
turn your baby on to his tummy and stroke downwards
on either side of the spine from the shoulders to
the base of the spine, over the buttocks and down
each leg. It is important to stress that every movement
you make when massaging your baby must be very gentle.
Never continue with the massage if your baby is fretting
and don’t massage the tummy if your baby is
younger than 4 weeks. The spine should not be touched.
The massage is something you do with, rather than
to, your baby so it should be enjoyable for both of
you. Massaging your baby can even alleviate the effects
of postnatal depression by helping you to have a more
positive interaction with your baby.
Many parents these days have very busy lifestyles
and some new mothers even have to return to work soon
after giving birth. The quality time afforded by giving
your baby a massage reaps benefits for both of you
so try to make time each day for this very beneficial
experience.
