Have you ever wondered what your baby is thinking
or feeling? The first form of communication that
you have with your child is through touch. To
a baby, touching is talking. With eye-to-eye and
skin-to-skin contact, the exchange of smiles and
other facial expressions, baby massage combines
the important aspects of bonding between parent
and child. It's also a wonderful way for fathers,
brothers, sisters and grandparents to share special
time with a new addition to the family.
In many ways, the techniques of baby massage
are different from those used in adult massage.
You should always pay attention to the degree
of pressure you're using; making sure that every
stroke is gentle and slow. Firmer strokes can
be used, as your baby grows older. Especially
for the first few months of massage, you should
use downward strokes, which travel down your baby's
body and produce a calming effect. Often times
you will only need to use one finger or part of
your hand. Avoid upward strokes, which can be
too stimulating. Remember that initially, not
all infants will enjoy being massaged. If your
baby ever seems irritable to your touch during
a massage, discontinue the massage and try again
at another time. Baby massage can be done at any
time during the day. Some research suggests that
the best time to massage your baby is when he
is awake and feeling happy. Because your baby
can easily pick up on your mood and emotions,
you should be feeling calm and relaxed.
Baby massage has a wide range of positive benefits—from
enhancing neurological development to helping
your baby learn to relax. Massaged babies sleep
better and are more alert when awake. This type
of contact also develops and supports your baby's
self-esteem and lets her know she is loved.
- Enhances neurological development
- Improves immune system
- Helps regulate digestive,
respiratory and circulatory systems
- Helps relieve discomfort from
gas and colic, congestion and teething
- Helps baby learn to relax
- Decreases production of stress
hormones
- Reduces crying and fussing
- Promotes sounder and longer
sleep
- Promotes positive body image
- Improves bonding and communication
- Provides a special focused
time that helps deepen bonding
- Improves parent-child communication
- Helps you understand and respond
to your baby's nonverbal cues
- Promotes feelings of competence
and confidence in caring for baby
- Increases your ability to
help your child relax in times of stress
- Eases the stress you may feel
when separated from your baby during the day
- Helps you relax and have fun
with your child
Take time to gather everything you will need
to have on hand, so that you can concentrate on
the massage. Before you begin, always wash your
hands and remove any jewelry that might interfere
with your touch.
temperature: Infants
tend to lose body heat when exposed to the air.
The use of lotion during massage will also reduce
body heat. Therefore, the room should be warm
enough to keep your baby calm and comfortable.
The ideal room temperature is between 78 and 80
degrees Fahrenheit.
timing: When you're
first starting out, allow yourself 10 to 15 minutes.
A newborn might enjoy two to five minutes of massage,
while a child of two months and older might enjoy
a more lengthy one. Wait at least one hour after
feedings to do a massage.
choosing the right position:
Choose a position that allows you to keep your
back straight, so that you will feel comfortable.
Always lay your baby on a flat surface covered
with a soft blanket or towel.
using lotion: Lotion,
like Noodle & Boo's Super
Soft Lotion will help your hands
move over your baby's body smoothly. Lotion is
easily absorbed by the skin and allows for smoother
motions on your baby's skin.
Place a small amount of lotion on the inside
of your baby's wrist or ankle. Wait 20 to 30 minutes
to see if a reaction occurs. An adverse reaction
would be a rash or a red inflamed area. If there
is no irritation, you can safely proceed with
the massage. If irritation does occur, DO
NOT use any lotion. Please Note:
You should NEVER use any product on your baby's
head or face during massage, as infants tend to
put their hands in their mouths and occasionally
rub their eyes. It is also very important to keep
the lotion out of reach from your baby. It's a
good idea to have a towel nearby to wipe off excess
lotion as needed.3Be extra careful when picking
him up after the massage.
Once you have warmed the room and have the lotion
and a towel ready, undress your baby and lay him
down in front of you on his back, with his feet
closest to you. Pour lotion into your hands, and
then rub your hands together to warm it. Begin
with long, gliding strokes, which allow you to
spread the lotion and warm the muscles. Look into
his eyes, smile and talk to him, then start the
massage as explained below.
leg and foot massage:
Elevate your baby's left leg with your right hand.
Wrap your left hand around the thigh and slowly
stroke toward the foot. When you reach the foot,
switch hands, stroking with your left hand. After
repeating several times, switch to the other leg.
To massage the feet, you can press the bottom
of the foot gently from the heel to the toe, using
your thumbs. Knead each individual toe and make
small circles around the ankle.
arm and hand massage:
Holding one of the baby's wrists with one hand,
use your other hand to gently squeeze along the
length of the arm, starting at the shoulder. When
you reach your baby's wrist, switch hands. Repeat.
To massage your baby's hand, use your thumb to
open it if it's clenched. Roll each finger between
your forefinger and thumb. Make tiny circles around
the wrist with your thumb and fingertips.
chest and stomach:
Strokes on the stomach should always be made downward
and clockwise. Place both of your hands flat,
side by side, in the middle of the chest and push
out to the sides gently, following the ribs. Position
your hands so that they rest on either side of
the baby's torso, just above the hipbones. Keeping
your hand flat, use one hand to stroke diagonally
across the baby's chest to the opposite shoulder.
Cup the shoulder, and push down gently. Gently
slide your hand back to its starting position.
Repeat several times, and then switch to the opposite
shoulder.
face and head: Start
by using your fingertips to make small circles
along the side of the jaws. Position your fingers
on the forehead and gently stroke from the center
out towards the temples. With the tips of your
fingers, gently make small circles all over the
head. Stay away from the soft spot (fontanel)
on the head. You can circle the eyes with your
thumbs, gently moving out along the eyebrows and
back under the eyes. The preceding techniques
have been derived from: Sullivan, Lucy Emerson.
"How to Baby your Baby: With a Massage."
(1996)
This information is intended as a guide to baby
massage and is not intended to replace formal
instruction on baby massage or advice from your
child's physician. Baby massage is not
appropriate for premature or medically challenged
babies. If your child has a condition
or illness, you should consult your physician
prior to beginning any massage. Massaging your
baby is a beautiful and loving way to begin a
lifelong relationship. It can strengthen your
baby's muscles and joints and help relieve the
symptoms of common childhood ailments; but most
importantly, it allows you to express your love
through touch and helps you establish a relationship
with your child early on in life.
Bainbridge, N., et al. (2000) Baby Massage:The
Calming Power of Touch. DorlingKindersley.
McClure, V. (2000) Infant Massage: A Handbook
for Loving Parents. Bantam Books.
Sullivan, L. (1996) How to Baby your Baby:
With a Massage. The Detroit News.
Cadolino, P. Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT),
Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), Stony
Brook University Hospital, Member of Oxford Health
Plans' Massage Advisory Board.
While the information published here is meant
to be accurate, it is not intended to substitute
professional medical advice. Please consult your
physician or local medical facility for information
specific to your individual needs. We urge that
you check with your physician before undertaking
any course of action and recommend that you always
follow the advice and recommendations of your
health practitioner.
