An Overview of Baby Massage Techniques
The benefits of baby massage are generally known – massage can help a baby to relax, sleep more soundly and, in some cases, digest food more effectively and less painfully. However, some parents are resistant to massaging their baby because they fear that they do not know the correct techniques.
The good news is that instruction in baby massage from qualified instructors is now readily available in addition to range of publications and DVDs on the topic. Parents who receive some basic training in safe and effective techniques learn about the sorts of touch that their baby responds well to and enjoys.
With baby massage oil or without, a number of parents find that using a basic oil for massage, such as an organic cold pressed sesame oil (with a small amount always tested on the baby’s skin prior to the infant being lathered in it), can be effective and help to deliver a smoother and more fluid massage as well as provide additional, nourishing benefits to the skin, helping with a range of skin conditions.
Many of the strokes that are used for adult massage are not appropriate on babies. The same pressure and force that is used in an adult massage should never be applied to the massage of a baby. Baby massage should however be mainly comprised of long, firm strokes as gentle, feathery touch can be irritable.
Essentially, through your baby massage practice you should be perceptive to and learn what your child likes. This will help you to administer the type of massage that they most enjoy and positively respond to.
However, if you are seeking a more definitive guide to the types of strokes that form part of a successful and effective baby massage, the following list of tips and techniques should help you.
Before staring a massage, remember that:
- The baby is may not stay still for extended periods of time
- Depending on their age, lying down, placed on a towel on the floor or sittng in front of you for massage if older.
- Strokes need to be long and firm.
- The massage should be abandoned if the baby shows signs of discomfort, distress or persistent restlessness. There is no point or benefit in trying to massage a distressed and unhappy baby unless massage is being used to treat a condition such as wind or colic, in which case assistance from qualified instructor should sought.
A simple and straightforward way to massage your baby is as follows:
- Always begin by massaging the legs. This is the least intrusive way to begin a massage as the legs are touched repeatedly each day during nappy/diaper changes. Placing your hands directly on your baby’s chest or abdomen to begin massage can be intrusive, and is unacceptable to many infants.
- Use long firm strokes. Light, feathery massage can irritate your baby.
- If massaging your baby’s chest, watch for any arm movements going in and out from the chest, or up and down. These movements indicate that you should stop massaging the chest and move onto another area of the body. Alternatively, if your baby covers your hands with theirs, or is otherwise trying to stop you from massaging the chest, it is also a good idea to move onto another area of the body for massage.
- When massaging your baby’s tummy (while they are lying down in front of you), be sure to massage from your left to right (i.e. a clockwise direction), and only massage on the lower half of their tummy.
Baby massage can be a relaxing, enjoyable and beneficial experience for both parents and Baby.