Baby Masage | Baby Care

BABY MASSAGE

A very special way to get in touch with your baby is trough Baby massage. Massage has been proven to benefit an baby's growth and development, at the same time providing you and your baby with a period of special, loving time together.

Preparing a Baby Massage

A little prior thought and preparation is needed to maintain your baby's comfort and receptivity throughout. Newborn baby can have a fairly short attention span, so the massage should consist of only a few repetitions of each technique. Try to do this daily, at time when your baby is receptive, and not hungry or cranky. Do not attempt to massage your baby against her will. Massage is meant to give mutual pleasure, so make sure that you are also relaxed.

Getting Started Baby Massage

1. Make sure that you are comfortable and can remain undisturbed for about fifteen minutes. Set the mood, play gentle music to help you both relax.

2. The room must be warm, and remain so for the duration of the massage. It's best to massage your baby when he is naked - especially after bathing - but it can be performed through your baby's clothing.

3. Massage can be done without oils or lotions, but a thin coating of oil or lotion will reduce friction to your baby's skin. Refer to product section.

4. Warm your hands before touching your baby, place a little oil or lotion in your palms. Always pour oil into an open bowl or container so you can easily dip the fingers of one hand into the bowl while your other hand maintains contact with your baby. Don't break the contact, and to prevent product wastage, don't pour oil or lotion directly onto your baby's skin.

5. Use enough oil or lotion for your hands to glide comfortably over your baby's body. Begin with a very light touch and gradually increase the pressure as you become more confident and your baby gets used to being massaged.

How to Give Your Baby a Massage

There are no set rules to baby massage. You can modify this technique to suit your baby's needs.
Always remember to be sensitive and responsive. For newborn baby, a massage up to 10 minutes is sufficient, while older baby can enjoy a massage for up to 20 minutes.

Respond to your baby's needs and stop when your baby has had enough.

1. Slowly and gently massage her head.

2. Using both hands, stroke from the center outwards to the sides of baby’s body. Remember that the ribs curve, strokes should follow the spaces between baby’s ribs.

3. Massage in a clockwise direction around navel, in ever widening circles. Do not massage in this areas until after the umbilical cord has fully separated.

4. Stroke down baby’s back from neck to bottom - including bottom. Then with the fingertips of both hands, lightly massage the muscles on either side of baby’s spine, from neck to bottom again, using a descending circular movement.

5. Stroke your baby's arms working down from baby’s shoulders to baby’s fingertips. Wrap your hand around one of your baby's arms and give him a series of gentle squeezes working from the top of baby’s arm down to baby’s wrist. Then massage baby’s wrist using thumb and forefinger. Do the same to his other arm.

6. Massage your baby's thighs, knees, shins and calves. Gently squeeze her thigh working down to her ankle (as with her arms). Massage her ankles, then her feet, one at a time, supporting her ankle securely with one hand and using your thumb to massage from heel to toe along the sole of her foot. This is the firmest massage of the whole body.

Point to Remember in Baby Massage

1. When your baby is tired, any stimulation can be too much - he may need to rest. Try again after his nap.

2. Around four to seven months, when starting to crawl, your baby is more active so not as much massage may be needed

3. Sucking and teething - remember his face- stroke and kiss your baby to help her release tension here.

4. Remember, you're your baby mirror, he will reflect the attitude he sees from you, so be sure you are ready and relaxed yourself before beginning.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, massage is not meant to be a mechanical routine. It should be practiced with the full cooperation of your baby, and this is obtained through love, affection, lots of kisses and embraces. Above all, baby massage is a loving and therapeutic activity that will bring pleasure to both you and your baby. Enjoy!

Baby Oil

Baby oil is ideal for massaging baby, this specially formulated mineral oil is designed to help soothe and condition the skin. Usually baby oil contains Aloe Vera, an herbal extract known for its soothing effect and Vitamin E as a natural skin conditioner. Together they help moisturize and nourish the skin

Related Links on BABY CARE

Sitemap

Home : Index

Baby Development :

Baby Health Care :

Common Illnesses 1 : Cold, Cough, Croup, Diarrhea
Common Illnesses 2 : Ear infections, Fever
Infectious Disease : Chicken pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Roseola, Whooping Cough
Common Problem : Scalp, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth
Other Issues: Vomiting, Constipation, Natural Medicine
Immunization

Baby Skin Care :

Common Skin Rashes : Eczema, Nappy rash, Miliaria, Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Common Skin Blemishes : Milia, Dry skin, Cradle cap, Cheek rashes.
Common Skin Marks : Port wine stains, Strawberry marks, Stork bites, Mongolian blue spots

Baby Massage : Baby Massage

Baby Stuff : Baby Stuff

Soothing & Sleeping :

Soothing 1 : Crying, why is baby crying, how to soothe
Soothing 2 : When soothing fails, soothing equipment
Sleeping 1 : Sleeping Trough, developing a routine, solving sleep problems
Sleeping 2 : Co sleeping, Baby's bed, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Baby's Nappy :

Baby Bath : Baby Bath

Breastfeeding :

Baby Massage

baby massage, baby oil, free baby care ebook