| Baby massage has been practiced since | | | | of enjoyment (smiles, coos, relaxed |
| ancient times. It can be as simple as a | | | | posture) or dissatisfaction (turning |
| gentle rub with lotion after a bath or a | | | | away, fussing, closing arms, crawling |
| more practiced infant massage. The | | | | away), and stop if she seems |
| benefits are many for both baby and | | | | uncomfortable or restless. If your baby |
| parent. | | | | is having a colic episode, then attempt |
| Benefits for your baby | | | | to calm him with massage before judging |
| Helps your baby relax | | | | his response to the massage. Sometimes |
| Stimulates circulation, digestion and | | | | babies take a few minutes to adjust, or |
| neurological development | | | | they may like the massage at first but |
| Promotes more restful sleep | | | | then have had enough and would like to |
| Improves the efficiency of your baby’s | | | | stop. Respect your baby’s signals. |
| immune system | | | | Put a bit of oil or lotion on your hands |
| Stimulates your baby’s developing | | | | and rub them together. Never pour |
| nervous system | | | | anything directly onto your baby. |
| Helps relieve pain of colic, gas, | | | | Use warm hands when touching your baby. |
| illness and teething | | | | Use a gentle touch, but not so light |
| Promotes healthy weight gain | | | | that it tickles your baby — about the |
| Enhances sensory awareness | | | | same pressure you would use on your |
| Stimulates growth-promoting hormones | | | | eyelids without causing any discomfort. |
| Provides baby with much-loved touch and | | | | On small areas of your baby’s body, |
| connection | | | | use your fingertips; on larger areas |
| Increases bonding and attachment between | | | | like his back, use the palms of your |
| baby and parent | | | | hands. |
| Provides premature and special needs | | | | As a general rule, strokes should move |
| babies with immense physiological | | | | from the center of your baby’s body |
| benefits | | | | outward; for example, when massaging |
| Benefits for parents | | | | arms, go from shoulders out to hands. |
| Builds your confidence in baby handling | | | | Keep your movements balanced; if you |
| Provides you with an opportunity to | | | | massage the left arm, then also do the |
| become more competent in reading your | | | | right arm. |
| baby’s cues | | | | If your baby is a newborn, don’t |
| Gives you a special, focused time with | | | | massage near the umbilical cord or the |
| your baby | | | | circumcision site (if your baby has been |
| Deepens the bond between you and your | | | | circumcised). |
| baby | | | | Don’t forget to massage those teeny |
| Provides you with a tool for calming and | | | | feet — a delightful experience for any |
| settling your baby | | | | parent! |
| Gives parents of premature babies or | | | | Start with a short session at first, no |
| babies with special needs a way to bond | | | | more than about five minutes. Over time, |
| with and help their baby | | | | lengthen your massage sessions to 20 or |
| Provides parents with an effective way | | | | 30 minutes, basing the length of time on |
| to settle a fussy or colicky baby | | | | your baby’s signals of enjoyment. |
| Gives parents a loving way to introduce | | | | Don’t massage your baby if she has a |
| a sibling to a new baby | | | | fever, has just had an immunization or |
| Allows you to enjoy the feel of your | | | | is ill. |
| baby’s miraculous little body | | | | Read your baby’s signals |
| It’s massage time! | | | | Very young babies or those who are new |
| You can massage your baby at any time | | | | to massage are often uncertain about it. |
| and in any place. Most babies love to be | | | | Vary the pressure and location of your |
| touched — and most parents love to | | | | touch depending on your baby’s |
| touch their babies — so anytime you | | | | reactions. Watch your baby’s face and |
| feel like rubbing your baby, you should. | | | | body language for feedback. This is a |
| In addition to casual touches, you can | | | | learning experience for both of you |
| also plan for a more organized massage | | | | What about siblings? |
| as well. A massage is a wonderful way to | | | | Here’s a wonderful experience for your |
| end a bathing session, begin or end the | | | | older child and baby alike: Teach big |
| bedtime ritual or start the day. | | | | brother or sister how to massage the |
| Here are some guidelines to prepare for | | | | baby. This can create a special bond |
| a peaceful baby massage: | | | | between them and can promote soft and |
| Choose a time when you won’t be | | | | gentle touches. Massage time for your |
| interrupted or rushed. | | | | baby is often a perfect time to massage |
| Make sure that your baby isn’t too | | | | your older child, too. As your baby gets |
| hungry (or too full). | | | | a little older, he’ll probably want |
| If your baby is colicky, choose the time | | | | his turn at massaging his older sibling. |
| just before crying usually begins. | | | | Few things are more special for a parent |
| Choose a warm room (at least 75ºF/ | | | | than watching siblings treat each other |
| 23.9ºC) without any drafts. Depending | | | | with gentle loving care, and this kind |
| on how warm the room is, you may want to | | | | of ritual is perfect for encouraging |
| keep your baby covered with a small | | | | sibling attachment. |
| blanket during the massage, leaving out | | | | At what age should massage begin? |
| the body parts that you are massaging. | | | | You can, and should, massage a child of |
| Leave your baby in as little clothing as | | | | any age from newborn to adulthood. |
| conditions permit — a diaper or | | | | Children learn much about the power of |
| nothing at all. (Keep something handy to | | | | gentle touch. My son David knows how |
| cover up that diaper area fast, just in | | | | wonderful a massage can be, and when he |
| case!) | | | | was eight years old, he gave me a |
| If you and your baby would enjoy it, | | | | nightly back massage throughout my |
| play some soft music, or use the time to | | | | pregnancy with his baby brother. (Yes, |
| talk to and sing to your baby. | | | | every night — isn’t that sweet?) All |
| Lay your baby on a soft towel or blanket | | | | of my older children love to be rubbed; |
| on the floor or on a bed. A small baby | | | | there’s something very special about |
| can lie skin-to-skin on your stomach or | | | | spending a little time giving your |
| across your legs. | | | | teenager a backrub or foot massage. It |
| Have warm baby lotion or oil ready, if | | | | maintains a beautiful parent-child |
| you wish to use one of these. Choose | | | | connection throughout a lifetime. |
| oils made especially for babies, when | | | | What about baby massage classes? |
| possible. Avoid nut-based oils, like | | | | Many hospitals and private organizations |
| peanut and almond, to avoid the risk of | | | | offer baby massage classes. These are |
| allergic reactions. And avoid having | | | | beneficial because a certified infant |
| oils on or next to your baby’s face | | | | massage instructor can show you all the |
| and hands (since they may likely find | | | | how-to’s, step by step. An instructor |
| their way to your baby’s mouth). | | | | can give you a hands-on demonstration |
| Here are a few tips on making the | | | | and answer your questions to help you |
| massage a pleasant experience: | | | | feel confident in this very gentle and |
| Tell your baby what you are doing and | | | | soothing art. Remember that massage and |
| ask for permission: “Would you like | | | | touch is an experience that is exclusive |
| Mommy to give you a massage?” This | | | | between the parent and baby; the |
| sends a message right from a young age | | | | instructor will help you learn how to |
| that your baby’s body belongs to her. | | | | read your baby and how to use the art of |
| Always watch your little one for signs | | | | massage. |