Baby Massage Basic Steps
There is a lot of information available on baby massage as there are different infant massage movements used. To find out more about recommended books and websites on baby massage << click here >>
As we have mentioned there are many techniques for baby massage, here is our favourite movements, you can experiment to find the ones that you and your baby enjoy the most.
Infant Massage caution
If you have any concerns about doing a baby massage, then you should seek expert help or attend a baby massage training class. Here are a list of some of the associations that might be helpful. << More information on infant massage websites>> and on baby massage associations. Be gentle with your baby. Don’t give the baby a massage if the baby is fidgety.
If your baby is under 5 months of age, do not massage at bath time as this can be over stimulating. You can do a baby massage after a night time sleep or during the day after a nap.
Best place for baby massage is on the floor on some towels as the baby can be slippery after the massage.
Always stop massaging if the baby indicates that they have had enough.
Rub your hands together to warm the oil
Basic Infant Massage Steps
Baby Massage steps – Back of baby
- Place your child on their front. Gently stroke their back and along the back of the arms
- Gently with the tips of your fingers massage your child’s shoulders
- Gently massage your baby’s rear
- Start at the base of the neck and work down the spine, down the legs, and then bend the knee and massage each foot
- Use your thumbs to massage the sole of each foot
Baby Massage steps – Front of baby
- Start with your baby on their back. Gently stroke their face starting with the middle of their forehead and moving to their temples.
- Very gently stroke across the eyebrows and around under the eyes.
- Massage from nose to ears, and then from their cheeks down to the chin.
- Stroke the front of the body and out along the arms.
- Next do each arm. First lift the arm and stoking the length of the arm from shoulder to hand. Then using your free hand, gently squeeze the arm as you move down the arm from shoulder to the hand. Repeat for the other arm.
- Massage the hand, and rotate each finger clockwise.
- Using both hands, make clockwise strokes around your baby’s navel. Only do clockwise strokes, which may help infants with colic or wind. Don’t do anti clockwise.
- Gently stroke down each leg from thigh to ankle, swapping hands as you work your way down.
- Lastly massage the sole of each foot by making tiny clockwise strokes with your thumb as you finish the massage.
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