Baby massage has been practiced by parents since ancient times. In many countries such as Asia, India and Africa, babies typically have a daily massage just before or after their nap.

What is baby massage?

Basically, baby massage involves using your hands to gently stroke your little ones skin.

Why is touch so important?

Babies need to be touched and cuddled in order to grow and be healthy. Touch helps to stimulate growth promoting hormones. Babies deprived of regular loving touch fail to thrive. Touch is essential. Baby massage is a great tool for new parents to use to get to know and bond with their new baby. I used it with both my children and I found it a lovely and rewarding experience.

Benefits to baby

• Promotes brain development and communication.
• Can help to relieve discomfort of constipation and gas.
• Promotes emotional development and a sense of security.
• Relieves stress.
• Promotes bonding.
• Improves the quality of sleep.
• Gives pleasure and relaxation and an increased sense of well being.
• Improves circulation, joint mobility and muscle development.

Baby massage can be of particular benefit to premature babies. Studies have shown that premature babies receiving massage gained weight faster than babies not receiving massage and were able to leave hospital earlier.

Benefits to parents

• Increased confidence in parenting.
• Helps parents to read baby’s cues.
• Promotes bonding.
• Relieves stress.
• Helps with postnatal depression.
• Gives pleasure and relaxation.

When and where is best?

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the words ‘baby massage,’ it’s actually very simple.
It only needs to last for a few minutes once or twice a day. After a bath or just before bedtime are great times, (unless you find that the massage actually stimulates your baby). Experience will let you know the best time for your baby.

• Pick a time when your baby is happy and relaxed.
• Find a quiet, warm and comfortable place.
• Choose a place where there are not too many distractions such as bright lights and loud noises.

Tip - Avoid massaging your baby just after feeding, as pressure on little tummies can cause your baby to spit up.

Don’t worry if your baby does not enjoy being massaged at first. Leave it for a week or so, then try again.

Equipment

• Natural unscented massage oil. This helps hands to glide smoothly over baby’s delicate skin -try sweet almond oil, olive oil or grapeseed oil. Before using a new oil, always test on your baby by dabbing a small amount and waiting 15 minutes to see if there’s an allergic reaction. If your baby reacts e.g. skin begins to redden or go blotchy, select a different oil. Repeat the skin test again until you find one that works for your baby.
• A soft surface to place baby on. Baby blanket or towel works fine.
• Keep a diaper and some wipes nearby.
• Some parents like to play soft music in the background.

Tip - Remember to remove rings and other jewelry that might get in the way, before beginning the massage. Get in the habit of putting these things in a safe place, and then when your baby gets older they will not pose a choking hazard.

How to massage

Sit in a comfortable position, your baby on your lap or on the floor. Choose the position which is most comfortable for you.
Most baby massage experts agree that before performing a massage you need to ask your baby’s permission. Look into your baby’s eyes and rub your hands together with the massage oil whilst saying the cue word ‘massage’. The more you do this routine the quicker your baby will come to know that this word and the rubbing of your hands together with the oil means a massage is coming. She’ll wiggle with anticipation. If your baby doesn’t appear to be ready or is fussy simply choose another time to perform the massage. If at any point your baby becomes upset during the massage, stop and comfort your her.

It’s best to start with your baby lying on her back so you can see her face and read her cues. Begin with the legs. Apply gentle firm touch as you stroke the leg from thigh to foot. Do this several times and on the last one finish by placing your hands on the leg for a few seconds - this is a cue to let your baby know that this leg is finished. Move to the next leg and repeat.
The tummy is a sensitive area so watch your baby closely. Place your baby on your lap with her feet facing towards you. Begin by gently moving your hand in a clockwise direction in a circular motion. This can be done a few times and then you can move onto the ‘I love you’ movements. This was one of my favorite techniques for helping to settle my daughter when she was colicky. This is a great move for eliminating gas. Here is how you do it:

• Imagine an upside down “U” shape on your baby’s tummy.
• The first stroke which is the “I” is performed by making a downward line on your baby’s left hand side of her tummy.
• The next piece involves massaging in the shape of an upside “L” shape.
• Finally you can stroke the entire shape of the upside down “U” on your baby’s tummy.
• Repeat several times and then finish with a few seconds of placing your hands on her tummy which signals to her that you are done with this piece.

Move onto her arms and gently stroke from shoulder to her hand. Individually massage each finger and the palm of her hand. If you feel confident you could also gently stroke her face. You can relax the muscles around her mouth by gently circling your fingers around the outside of her mouth. If your baby is okay with tummy time you could carefully turn her over and stroke her back from the shoulders down. My baby never did warm up to this one when she was very little but once she was six months old she just loved having her back gently stroked. Keep in touch with your baby’s cues and you’ll gradually learn what she does and does not like.

Tip - Avoid massaging your baby if they seem unwell and for the first 72 hours after being immunized as the immunization site may be tender. Do not massage your baby’s tummy until the umbilical cord has completely healed.

Check with your doctor before beginning massage if your baby is having medication, has heart or lung problems, or any other serious medical condition.

By Nicole Rawson-Huff

This article is an extract from our book: Caring for your newborn - How to enjoy the first 60 days as a new mom
 

You may also be interested in...

• Bonding with your baby
• Attachment is a deep, lasting bond that develops between a caregiver and child during the baby’s first few years of life.
• more

• Swaddling your newborn
• For centuries, women have practiced this technique for soothing babies. If you'd like to give it a go, follow the instructions below.
• more