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