22
May
Before a Baby Massage
Things you need to know before you start a baby massage
Infant massages are being practiced from several generations world wide, hence massaging a baby is instinctive for most mothers. Skin contact with your baby makes the baby feel safe and secure. It is a mother’s way of showing her love and affection for her baby.
Baby massage techniques are simple and easy to learn. There is no right or wrong technique. These are basic guidelines. Oftentimes, the guidelines are altered to suit your individual needs in congruence with that of your baby.
- Make sure that the room temperature is warm (around 75-80 degrees Farenheit)
- Undress your baby completely before a massage. In case of cold weather or humid weather, cover the baby with a blanket especially the body parts which are not being massaged.
- Place the baby on a soft surface for a high comfort level and secure feeling. Surround your baby with little pillows for support.
- Rub your hands with some cream to keep them supple and warm especially in cold weather. This rules out the possibility of touching the baby’s bare body with ice cold hands.
- An oil massage is preferred over a dry massage.
Research has shown that massage oils have more positive effects on neonatal infants. They display fewer stress behaviors (clenched fists, grimacing) and lower cortisol levels (stress hormones) when massaged with oil versus a no oil massage. Which baby massage oils to use will be covered separately in another section. - The massage should start with soft gentle touches from the head and move towards the toes – starting first on the head, face, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach and then legs. Some masseurs start with the feet upwards as well.
- If you are a new mother and unsure about the massage technique, it is a good idea to start the massage from your legs and feet (the least vulnerable body part) and then move upwards. You are less likely to go wrong when you start with the feet and as you move upwards you will be more confident of yourself.
- Massage the foot with your thumb, stroking from heel to toe. Massage each leg in turn using gentle strokes from the hip to the ankle.
- Speak softly to your baby and look tenderly at him/ her while you massage your baby. This stimulates the baby’s senses and establishes a better visual tactile communication process and improves bonding. This strengthens the physical-emotional bond between the mother-child.
- Do not keep a rigid routine, try being flexible as far as possible. Let your baby change positions if he/ she wants to. Do not force your baby to stick to a particular position.
- End the massage followed by a warm water bath to relax the baby and put him/ her to sleep.
