The calming power of touch - from the moment our wee ones arrive into the world, contact with mum and dad can be the most reassuring thing ever! From the second my son was placed on my chest and we had a lovely long cuddle ‘direct contact’ has always been key!
As a baby he was a long and skinny and I would love tracing the outside of him and tickle his beautiful soft skin and make him giggle. I longed to feel more co-ordinated in my approach to this contact, so took a local course in baby massage. Apart from learning these wonderful skills and gaining confidence in my contact with my son - it was a special hour a week with my baby just focussed on relaxed fun!
A fellow classmate was there with her second child and she was taking the time out whilst Gran and Grandpa watched her first child, so that she would have this special time with baby number two. (As a second child myself I can really see the importance of this - but this is just an aside.)
Baby massage has been practised for centuries by many different cultures as babies all understand the shared language of touch! We as adults understand the benefits of a massage for a bad back or aching joints, just as we benefit - so do our infants.
There is a great shared bond that develops as a parent and child enjoy discovering the various likes and dislikes, sensitivities (tickly feet) etc. Here are some basics - you can find more resources on you tube as this is quite a visual subject.
Timing is important - firstly you need to have the time to be able to indulge in this wonderful activity, but also you need to find a time when your baby is not hungry or too tired etc. I found that just before bath time was great and allowed me to wash off the oil, or if we'd been out and not had the time before bath, then after the bath and whilst applying moisturiser.
Olive oil (and in my opinion high quality and organic) is best. Oil makes it easier to gently move your hands over your baby, it's natural and with no over stimulating aroma's. The less extra products or synthetic ingredients the less chance your baby's skin will get irritated. (You don't want to get me started on the ‘nasties’ in skincare products... that's for another article!)
A warm, dimly light room is my recommendation, don't massage too soon after a feed, allow 20mins or more if you baby is happy to continue, if your baby isn't used to it - consider starting with just a 5 to 10 minute massage and build up each day - as it can be too much stimulation for some little ones.
Sit, or kneel comfortably, with baby on a big soft towel and most importantly have baby totally undressed - I haven't met a baby yet who in a warm room doesn't love naked time! Start on baby's tummy, with reassuring eye contact that this is fun and safe.
Start with your fingers at baby's chest height, palm laying softly on baby's tummy, glide your hands to the top of the shoulders, then at the shoulders, stroke down and along the both the arms at the same time. There is an arm 'wringing' maneuver - but I don't quite feel comfortable describing that one in case of misunderstanding. Then work on the hands slowly and gently, stroking the palms, massaging them open, then stroke along each finger from the hand towards the tip.
There are a number of strokes that you can do across the abdomen, but I will let you either gently play and make them up yourself, or look them up on google and you tube as I am wordy at the best of times and don't wish to over describe them!
Then once you move from the abdomen, work on each leg separately: with one hand lightly hold your baby at the ankle (by now mine is usually wriggling a lot so sometimes I would have to hold him tighter than others!) Place your free hand across the top of baby's leg with your finger tips pointing inward and fan down the leg with your fingertips apart as you move down. There is a similar wringing movement here for the leg... my guy loved it so it is worth investigating!
Then onto the feet - some babies do not like their feet being massaged. With your thumb firmly (but gently) placed on the sole, make small circular motions outward and downward, stopping if your baby is not enjoying it. You can circle the edges of the feet next and then like with the hands, give each toe a gentle stroke.
You can add in a lot more and make up what feels right to you and your baby as long - as it is relaxing for them. It is always good to have a finishing set of movements, to wind things up and to let baby know that the massage is coming to an end. Using your whole hand, palm flat on baby's belly, stroke diagonally downwards towards the left hip, then down the left leg, then from the left shoulder to the right ankle, repeat these twice and firmly but gently!
Most of all you and your baby should be enjoying this. Any questions, comments or advice - let us know!
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