All About Baby Massage

Baby massage has been practiced since ancient times. It can be as simple as a gentle rub with lotion after a bath or a more practiced infant massage. The benefits are many for both baby and parent.

Benefits for your baby

Helps your baby relax
Stimulates circulation, digestion, and neurological development
Promotes more restful sleep
Improves the efficiency of your baby’s immune system
Stimulates your baby’s developing nervous system
Helps relieve pain of colic, gas, illness, and teething
Promotes healthy weight gain
Enhances sensory awareness
Stimulates growth-promoting hormones
Provides baby with much-loved touch and connection
Increases bonding and attachment between baby and parent
Provides premature and special-needs babies with immense physiological benefits

Benefits for parents

Builds your confidence in baby handling
Provides you an opportunity to become more competent in reading your baby’s cues
Gives you a special, focused time with your baby
Deepens the bond between you and your baby
Provides you with a tool for calming and settling your baby
Gives parents of premature babies or babies with special needs a way to bond with and help their baby
Provides parents with an effective way to settle a fussy or colicky baby
Gives parents a loving way to introduce a sibling to a new baby
Allows you to enjoy the feel of your baby’s miraculous little body

Getting ready for baby massage

You can massage your baby at any time and in any place. Most babies love to be touched ¾ and most parents love to touch their babies ¾ so anytime you feel like rubbing your baby, you should. In addition to casual touches, you can also plan for a more organized massage as well. A massage is a wonderful way to end a bathing session, begin or end the bedtime ritual, or start the day. Here are some guidelines to prepare for a peaceful baby massage:

Choose a time when you won’t be interrupted or rushed.
Make sure that your baby isn’t too hungry (or too full).
If your baby is colicky, choose the time just before crying usually begins.
Choose a warm room (at least 75ºF/ 23.9ºC) without any drafts. Depending on how warm the room is, you may want to keep Baby covered with a small blanket during the massage, leaving out the body parts that you are massaging.
Leave your baby in as little clothing as conditions permit ¾ a diaper or nothing at all. (Just keep something handy to cover up that diaper area fast, just in case!)
If you and your baby would enjoy it, play some soft music, or use the time to talk to and sing to your baby.
Lay your baby on a soft towel or blanket on the floor or on a bed. A small baby can lie skin-to-skin on your stomach or across your legs.
Have warm baby lotion or oil ready, if you wish to use one of these. Choose oils made especially for babies, when possible. Avoid nut-based oils, like peanut and almond, to avoid the risk of allergic reactions. And avoid having oils on or next to your baby’s face and hands (since they may likely find their way to Baby’s mouth!)

Here are a few tips on making baby massage a pleasant experience:

Tell your baby what you are doing and ask for permission, “Would you like Mommy to give you a massage?” This sends a message right from a young age that your baby’s body belongs to them.
Always watch your little one for signs of enjoyment (smiles, coos, relaxed posture) or dissatisfaction (turning away, fussing, closing arms, crawling away), and stop if they seem uncomfortable or restless. If your baby is having a colic episode, then attempt a massage by starting slowly. Sometimes babies take a few minutes to adjust, or they may like the massage at first, but then have had enough and would like to stop. Respect your baby’s signals.
Put a bit of oil or lotion on your hands and rub them together ¾ never pour anything directly onto your baby.
Use warm hands when touching your baby.
Use a gentle touch, but not so light that it tickles your baby ¾ about the same pressure you would use on your eyelids without causing any discomfort. On small areas of your baby’s body, use your fingertips; on larger areas, like his back, use the palms of your hands.
As a general rule, strokes should move from the center of your baby’s body outward; for example, when massaging arms, go from shoulders out to hands.
Keep your movements balanced; if you massage the left arm, then also do the right arm.
If your baby is a newborn, don’t massage near the umbilical cord or the circumcision site.
Don’t forget to massage those teeny feet ¾ a delightful experience for any parent!
Start with a short session at first ¾ no more than about five minutes. Over time, lengthen your massage sessions to 20 or 30 minutes, basing the length of time on your baby’s signals of enjoyment.
Don’t massage your baby if they have a fever, has just had an immunization, or is ill.

Read your baby’s signals

Very young babies or those who are new to massage are often uncertain about it. Vary the pressure and location of your touch depending on your baby’s reactions. Watch your baby’s face and body language for feedback. This is a learning experience for both of you.

What about siblings?

Here’s a wonderful experience for your older child and baby alike: Teach big brother or sister how to massage the baby. This can create a special bond between them and can promote soft and gentle touches.

Massage time for your baby is often a perfect time to massage your older child, too. Older children may feel that the baby gets most of your attention, so including them here will help them know they are loved.

As your baby gets a little older, he’ll probably want his turn at massaging his older sibling. Few things are more special for a parent than watching siblings treat each other with gentle loving care, and this kind of ritual is perfect for encouraging sibling attachment.

At what age should baby massage begin?

You can, and should, massage a child of any age from newborn to adulthood. Children learn much about the power of gentle touch. There’s something very special about spending a little time giving your tween or teenager a backrub. It maintains a beautiful parent-child connection throughout a lifetime.

What about baby massage classes?

Many hospitals and private organizations offer baby massage classes. These are beneficial because a certified Infant Massage Instructor can show you all the how-tos, step by step. An instructor can give you a hands-on demonstration and answer your questions to help you feel confident in this very gentle and soothing art. Remember that massage and touch is an experience that is exclusive between the parent and baby, the instructor will help you learn how to read your baby and how to use the art of massage.

PARENT TIP

My husband gives our daughter her nightly bath and massage as a way of connecting with her after he’s been away at work all day. It’s a special time for both of them, and as a side benefit, I get an hour for myself.
Olga, mother of Eugenia (14 months old)

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