Learning baby massage can be fun and satisfying! Infant massage provides interaction, stimulation, and relief for both parents and babies.
Start by asking permission before massaging your baby (you could say something like: “Can I give you a massage?”) then choose an appropriate time when she/he is contented and quiet.
Be sure to maintain a warm temperature and remove all clothing except the diaper from your baby before giving her her vaccinations.
1. Deep Touch Pressure
Baby massage can help your baby develop muscle tone and reach important milestones such as rolling over, crawling and walking. Massage sessions should include all parts of their body from their tummy, legs, feet back chest as well as arms face face as gentle rhythmic strokes help your little one relax for bedtime and prepare them for bed.
Research indicates that new-borns possess an immature nervous system, and massage has been shown to significantly decrease stress levels among them. Massaged infants often score better on developmental tests compared to their counterparts who weren’t massaged as frequently.
At an ideal moment, massage should begin as soon as a newborn has been cleared by medical personnel; in some instances this could happen sooner than you expect – studies indicate that infants who receive massage therapy during their hospital stay experience less complications after leaving care.
Before beginning, it’s a good idea to gather your supplies. These should include a blanket or towel and safe baby massage oil (try buying specially-formulated baby massage cream that does not contain artificial dyes and fragrances), with small patches tested first to make sure there are no adverse reactions from their skin.
Finding a comfortable spot to massage your newborn, such as their change table or your bed (be sure to put down a towel on their mattress in case they leak oil), is key. Add soothing music, talk softly and sing softly during massage to promote calmness during sessions.
2. Gentle Rhythmic Strokes
Gently massage your baby from head to feet using gentle rhythmic strokes. Begin by massaging their face and neck before progressing on to massaging the front and back arms, shoulders, chest area, tummy area, legs buttocks and feet. As you massage chat with them or read stories as an aid for keeping them calm and engaged; for older ones try spelling words or shapes on their back while maintaining eye contact!
Be mindful to follow your baby’s lead during a massage – if they look distressed or start fussing, or seem uncomfortable during it, stop immediately. Pay special attention to their comfort levels by not touching any sensitive areas like their ears, feet or abdomen if this causes pain.
Friendly or affectionate touch such as hugging, holding hands, or massage can stimulate the release of oxytocin (sometimes known as the ‘cuddle hormone’) which helps develop strong bonds between babies and parents while aiding emotional development. Therefore it’s vitally important that massage uses soft rhythmic strokes and encourages your baby to interact during it so they feel secure during massage session – this will build trust between yourself and baby as they feel safe with you as an authority figure and you become their primary source. Be sure to select natural, unscented oil or lotion that won’t irritate skin before starting massaging sessions!
3. Skin-to-Skin Contact
Newborns communicate through their skin, so baby massage is an opportunity to establish a tactile bond with your newborn. Studies show that preverbal babies who receive massage tend to cry less, sleep better and experience reduced levels of stress hormones; infant massage has even been proven helpful for premature babies in neonatal units!
When massage your newborn, ensure a peaceful environment with soft lighting and no distractions. Music may help create an ideal atmosphere, and parents should remain calm while communicating with their child by talking or humming throughout. When starting with full-body massage then later transition into leg/foot massage as needed.
Babies are adept at telling us whether they enjoy massage or not – eye contact, smiles and cooing noises can be indicators that they are enjoying the massage session. Conversely, if your baby squirms away from you or arches their back or flaps her arms and legs then she is telling you she does not feel comfortable and it would be best to stop the massage and try again later.
4. Eye Contact
Before babies can communicate through language, they express their emotions and needs through touch – which most of us use to comfort and communicate with them. Baby massage involves gently, rhythmic stroking of your child’s body using mostly hands but may include other parts if your infant enjoys it. You should talk or sing to them during this process while making eye contact to show love, warmth and reassurance during massage time.
Baby massage should never be given when your infant is sleepy or just after eating as this could overstimulate them and make them upset. Try scheduling it during a calm time of the day, such as before or after bathtime.
When massaging an infant’s face, begin by massaging their forehead and progress to massaging their cheeks and jawline before ending with an eye and chin massage. Some infants love having their heads stroked; it is best to follow your child’s lead.
Studies have demonstrated that massage can significantly decrease stress and enhance nervous system development in babies, even preterm babies. Massage has even been proven to increase heart rate variability and aid in the maturation of preemie’s immature nervous systems. Infants given regular massages at neonatal intensive care units spent less time hospitalized overall and achieved greater scores on developmental tests compared to those not receiving massage therapy.
