Baby massage

The importance of touch
Massage is the original art of ‘rubbing better”, an extended form of touch which will give you greater knowledge and understanding of your child.

During formative months, babies uncurl from their foetal position, stretch their muscles, open their joints and coordinate their movements. Massaging them will encourage muscular co-ordination and suppleness, to prepare the body for activity and improving mobility and relaxation.

Massage stimulates the circulatory system and benefits the heart rate, breathing and digestion of the baby. For the mother, touching and handling her baby aids in the secretion of prolactin – also known as the “mothering hormones”, which aid in milk production and ability to relax. Mothers also feel secure in their ability to do something positive for, and get a positive response from their babies.

Getting started

• The room must be warm for the duration of the massage. Also, have a soft comfortable surface ready for your baby to lie on. A clean nappy or soft towel must be nearby in case they are needed.
• Warm your hands before touching your baby, place a little oil or powder in your palm. 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 don’t pour oil directly onto your baby’s skin.
• Use enough oil for your hands to guide 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.
• To help your baby relax further, focus his attention to an area of his body and show him how to relax it. ARM: tense, stiff arm, take it and gently shake it and say RELAX, and smile at him. This can be repeated with all the other parts of the body. This helps your baby focus attention on his own body and later relax himself. He will associate your touch with positive feelings.

Legs
Rolling – Roll the legs between your hands from knee to ankle. Hug and glide – hold the leg as if you were holding a baseball bat. Then move hands up the leg together, turning in opposite direction and squeezing slightly.

Stomach
Walking – using your fingertips, walk across baby’s tummy from your left to right. You may feel some gas bubbles moving under your fingers.
I love you – Make a single downward stroke with your right hand on baby’s left belly (your right). Make an upside down “L” going from your left to right. Make an upside down “U” going from your left to right. As you go through the series of motions, say “I love you” in a loving tone, Baby will love it.

Chest
Open Book – with both hands together at the centre of the chest, push out to the sides, following the rib cage, as if you were flattening the page of a book. Without lifting the hands from the body, bring them around in a heart shaped motion to the centre again.

Arms
Pit Stop – First lift the arm and stroke the armpit a few times, massaging the important lymph in that area.
Hug and Glide – Hold hands together around baby’s arm at the shoulder. Move hands in opposite directions, back and forth, from the shoulder to the hands, gently squeezing as you do.

Smile
Baby’s face may accumulate a great deal of tension through sucking, teething, crying and generally interacting with the ever-expanding world around him. With the thumps make a smile on the upper, then the lower lip.

Back and Forth
Start with both hands together at the top of the back, at right angles to the spine. Move your hands back and forth, in opposite directions, going down the back to the buttocks, then up the shoulders, and down once again.

END: BL 44 / 9