Baby massage entails delicately and rhythmically caressing your infant’s body with your hands. Within a massage regimen, you may softly manipulate your baby’s ankles, wrists, and fingers.
In addition, you can speak in gentle tones, hum, or sing to your baby during the massage, fostering a serene and comforting atmosphere for them.
Clear-cut recommendations don’t exist for determining the earliest age to initiate baby massage. While a nurturing touch can be introduced right from birth, certain infants might perceive organized, structured massage as overly stimulating during the initial weeks.
Massaging can offer a calming experience for babies. Ensure that the room is comfortably warm, your baby is in a tranquil, well-rested, and attentive state, and you are at ease as well. Consider incorporating massage after your baby’s nap, during diaper changes, while they are in the crib, or following a bath. Dedicate around 10 to 30 minutes to the massage session.
Dispense some sorbolene cream or lotion onto your warmed palms and proceed to gently massage the undersides of your baby’s feet. Utilize deliberate, yet gentle and unhurried movements, stroking firmly from the heel toward the toes. Maintain constant contact with your baby by ensuring one of your hands is always touching them.
Administer extended, gentle strokes along your baby’s leg. Begin massaging from the ankle, progressing upwards towards the thigh and over the hip. You can opt to massage both legs concurrently or focus on one leg at a time. Be sure to steer clear of the genital region. While holding your baby’s leg beneath the knee, apply a gentle pressure towards the tummy to help release any trapped gas.
Initiate the upper body massage by placing your hands on your baby’s shoulders. Employ tender strokes that move inward, directed towards the chest.
Massage your baby’s arms by gliding your hands from the shoulders down towards the wrists. Be cautious not to apply sorbolene cream or lotion onto your baby’s hands. If any does accidentally get on their fingers, make sure to gently wipe them clean.
When your baby’s tummy feels supple, engage in circular, clockwise massage strokes. Should your baby become restless, proceed to the subsequent step. Refrain from massaging around the belly button region if your baby’s cord stump has not fully healed. Also, avoid exerting pressure between the nipples and the tummy.
Employ your fingertip pads to gently massage your baby’s face. Begin by stroking from the center of your baby’s forehead, moving down along the outer edges of their face and then inward towards their cheeks. Proceed to massage the scalp using small circular motions.
Should your baby remain in a state of relaxation after completing the front body massage, you have the option to gently turn them onto their tummy. Employ extended, smooth strokes that traverse from their head down to their toes.
Employ a gentle and comforting touch. If your baby appears uneasy while lying on their back, consider positioning them on their tummy. If discomfort persists, discontinue the massage. Refrain from massaging if either you are feeling tense or your baby is agitated. Ensure your fingernails are kept short for safety.
Before starting the massage, establish a ritual of ‘asking permission.’ Rub oil between your hands near your baby’s ears and inquire, ‘May I offer you a massage?’ This familiar cue respects their comfort and preferences.
