Babies respond intensely to touch and temperature. A massage can help them develop body awareness, release trapped gas or wind and foster bonding between parents and infants.
Before massaging your baby, select an environment which is comfortable, safe, and without distractions. Ask permission by gently rubbing both hands together while softly telling him or her it is massage time.
Start with the Legs
As soon as it comes to massaging your baby, start with their legs – these areas tend to be less sensitive and provide comforting relief for babies. Massage the legs from ankle down until your toes and toes have been massaged before moving onto their tummies. Be mindful of following your baby’s cues; their actions will tell you if they enjoy or dislike being massaged; if their back arches or they stiffen their arms this indicates they no longer want massage and should stop.
Massage has many positive effects for newborns, from increasing bonding or attachment between mother and infant, stimulating nervous systems, helping digestion and decreasing colicky gas build-up in colicky infants to helping premature infants leave hospital earlier than those without such massage sessions. Research studies have also indicated that massage increases weight gain for preterm infants who receive massage as part of their care, potentially helping them leave sooner than those who do not receive such attention.
Select a moment when your baby is calm and alert; not hungry, tired or overstimulated from activities. Whenever possible, schedule the massage at roughly the same time each day, such as before breakfast or bath-and-bedtime. Finding a comfortable space such as changing table, bed or sofa that allows good eye contact between parent and child can add another level of enjoyment for both of you; gently talking or humming throughout will further make their experience pleasant and connected with what is occurring.
Move to the Tummy
Newborn babies often become fussy during the summertime due to heatwave conditions and changing holiday routines; sleep can become difficult for infants and toddlers. Infant massage provides soothing relaxation for both baby and parent while simultaneously strengthening parent-child bonding by helping you interpret verbal and nonverbal cues from your baby and responding accordingly.
Before Beginning Massaging Your Newborn
Prior to initiating the massage session, make sure your baby is nappy-free, in a peaceful environment and comfortable touching you. Gently undress them from waist down before placing a rolled towel underneath their head or knees as support. For optimal results, be sure to massage them in a quiet room with soft lighting; music or humming might provide additional soothing accompaniment that some babies find comforting.
Start by “asking permission” before beginning to massage your baby, warming up your hands with oil before lightly touching their ears and nose to warm your touch and signal that massaging is about to commence. This also gives them an opportunity to let you know if they don’t like what is happening!
Once your baby has agreed to being massaged, begin by gently rubbing their shoulders before moving down to their arms and legs (working with their physical cues). When this part is complete, turn them over and massage their tummy; just remember if their cord hasn’t healed fully yet it would be wise not to apply too much pressure near their navel area.
Once your baby has enjoyed his or her tummy massage, move onto their face. Gentle strokes from your fingers can provide comforting warmth that induce deep relaxation – should they doze off during their session it’s fine too!
Move to the Face
Massage your baby’s delicate facial features gently but slowly for maximum effect. Begin by gently stroking their forehead in a circular motion before moving onto their eyebrows and cheekbones – don’t press too hard; just enough pressure should make him relax enough to open up his smiles!
Once the arms have been thoroughly massaged, move on to the arms. Either massage the upper arm with one hand while using another to grab the lower part of their wrist with another, or position your baby in a C-shape and stroke both their upper and lower arms with both hands – the goal being to release tension, improve muscle tone and coordination, while increasing body awareness.
As with any infant massage, it’s essential to pay close attention to your baby’s cues when engaging in infant massage. If he seems uncomfortable or begins wriggling or crying, stop immediately and try again later. Additionally, avoid massaging during or immediately following feeding as this could cause him to spit up.
When giving your baby a massage, the ideal time and place is when he or she is calm and content, not hungry or tired. A massage could make a wonderful part of his or her bedtime routine or could take place anytime during the day in a comfortable location like a sun room or outdoors on an ideal day.
As you rub each body part, communicate with your baby by smiling at him and speaking softly to him in a soft voice. This helps him learn how to communicate with you while creating a bond between both of you. Music or rhythmic humming could even add some excitement!
Move to the Back
Massaged baby backs help them unwind, however if a baby arches their back it should be seen as a signal that they no longer wish for further massage and should not continue with it.
They may enjoy having their arms massaged, just be sure that they remain centered over their body, not to the side. Try holding one hand in a C-shape around their upper arm while using another under it; stroke from shoulder to wrist before rotating the palm of their hand thumb over thumb from heel of hand to fingertips for maximum enjoyment.
Massage of the chest can also be very therapeutic for babies who are sick, as studies have demonstrated it can improve breathing patterns, lung health and coughing symptoms. Before engaging in such massage, however, please consult a pediatrician first.
Move to the Arms
Baby massage is an effective way to connect with and build trust with your child. You can do it daily – either first thing in the morning, or as bedtime restoratives – but gradually as you learn more about their physical cues, you will discover which parts they enjoy being massaged while others cause them tension or anxiety.
When giving your baby a massage, the optimal time is when they are calm and content without hunger or exhaustion. Also important is to wait 45 minutes after feeding before giving him/her massages because doing it too soon could cause your little one to spit up during massaging sessions.
Once you are ready to begin the massage, find a comfortable place for your child to lie on their back – this could be on a changing table, bed, or even on the floor (using a towel beneath baby as needed to prevent oil stains). Be sure that it is warm and quiet so that he or she feels at ease while experiencing this experience.
Once your baby is in position for massage, gently undress and dress them in a cloth nappy or blanket. As you massage them, make eye contact and speak softly – making eye contact helps foster communication and foster bonding relationships between mother and child; stimulating brains will provide additional benefits that make them feel nurtured and cared for.
As you massage your baby, imagine that your hands are like velvet cloaks that move in a smooth, rhythmic pattern over their entire body. Once reaching their arms, stroke from fingertips to shoulder before returning back towards heart area; repeat this sequence 3-5 times.https://www.youtube.com/embed/an42r8O_XwE