How to Baby Massage

It's so simple and natural - the caring, loving touch of a parent. It can help to build security, confidence, emotional and physical well being. It also helps to calm and soothe your baby as well as increase lung capacity and help relieve digestive problems. 

 

 

Before you start : 

Wait until your baby is a few weeks old as they usually prefer to be swaddled when first born.

It should be at least 30 minutes after s/he has eaten. Please be sure that the room is warm. A massage should be a pleasant experience for you and your baby. Most babies love massage. If s/he starts to cry then stop the massage and try it again at another time. The massage should be short, when your baby begins getting fussy or bored it's time to stop. Make sure your nails aren't too long for your baby's tender skin. And remember that this is a great way for Dad to bond with baby too. Enjoy !

 

Here's the main rule : Keep it light and gentle and you won't go wrong. ( NO deep tissue massage --- leave that for your spouse ).  

 

Lay baby on her back, facing you. You can sit on the floor with your legs outstretched, a large towel over your lap and your baby laying between your legs ( use a wall with pillows to support your back). Or you can lay your baby on a carpeted floor with towels underneath and kneel beside them. 

How to Massage

If you are using massage oil (recipes below), pour just a little bit into the palms of your hand. If the oil feels cool then gently warm it with your breath. Using both hands, one on each leg, start from the ankles and massage gently upward to the thighs. Repeat a few times. Feel free to talk and sing to your baby as you massage. If you are using massage oil, then avoid massaging your baby's face or hands to prevent the oil from getting into their eyes.

 

Take each foot in your hands and massage the sole in small circular movements with your thumbs. Stroke up the legs to the abdomen. Using the palm of one hand you can also gently massage the abdoman in a clockwise direction. Stroke from the wrists to the shoulder. If your baby is still very happy you can massage his back. Turn him over and massage the back of the legs from the ankles up to their buttocks, then with one or both hands slide up the spine.

 

After the massage, wrap your baby in a warm towel and cuddle, cuddle, cuddle 

(and we offer a luscious organic towel just for this ! )

 

Always move your hands around your baby's body, in the direction toward the heart. All this means is that your hands need to work from wrist to shoulder, and ankle to thigh. Good areas to massage are the back, upper abdomen, legs, feet, arms and hands. Remember to use light and gentle motion, never apply pressure. 

Recipes for Organic Baby Massage Oil