How to Relax Your Baby
Many parents will agree that there are few things that they want more than their baby drifting off to sleep without fuss or resistance.
Assisting your child to relax and prepare for sleep is rarely easy – little ones commonly protest and behave as though rest is the worst thing that could happen to them. However, it doesn’t have to be quite so difficult as there are a number of things that a parent can try to relax their baby and prepare them for sleep.
What does it take to fall asleep?
As adults, most of us know that trying to sleep when we are preoccupied, wired or over-stimulated simply doesn’t work. The conditions are not right for our minds and bodies to relax and rest. It is the same for babies; the conditions need to be conducive to them going to sleep calmly and comfortably. If an upset baby does finally fall asleep, they will often wake up repeatedly or before long and so it follows that implementing some relaxation techniques for your baby can assist them to fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly.
Baby massage is one of the best (and most favourably proven) ways to help your baby to relax. Babies pick up on energy and, as you massage your little one, it is likely that you too will experience a sense of calm that your baby will tune into.
Learning how to massage…
In order to provide the most effective massage to your baby, it is highly recommended that you take a baby massage class or course, delivered by a certified baby massage instructor. In this situation you will learn about the safe and effective use of baby massage oil, correct techniques for massage strokes and the most successful combinations of strokes. In addition, learning massage with a certified instructor will help you to learn specific strokes and approaches that can be used to help your baby alleviate symptoms of colic, wind and constipation.
The power of baby massage…
Baby massage is so incredibly powerful because it utilises the power of human touch – specifically the loving and caring touch that parents can impart to their children. Increasingly, evidence shows that babies who are massaged grow to be more confident and secure in childhood and beyond and that massage can help to strengthen the bonds that exist between parent and child. There are few other practices that enable the level of connection that is afforded through baby massage.
Part of the daily routine…
Not only does baby massage deliver physical and emotional benefits, it can be incorporated as part of the daily routine so that it becomes an activity that both parents and children enjoy and look forward to. Separate to the ongoing cycle of feeding, playing and settling, massage marks a different and pleasurable activity for both you and your baby.
Other ways to relax…
Of course, babies cry and can become unsettled for a variety of reasons and sometimes, no apparent reason at all. Quite often, just being held can help to soothe your baby and some gentle words or a comforting song can help them to calm down and relax.
Colic is a common complaint for babies and one that can cause significant pain and discomfort. Baby massage is recognised for its potential to alleviate the symptoms of colic, as is an environment which is calm and relaxed.
Almost all parents actively seek ways to calm their babies and help them to relax. Baby massage is one of the most effective and proven ways to assist your baby to relax and is very often an experience that is mutually enjoyed by babies and their parents.