Harmony and bonding through baby massage
Harmony and bonding through baby massage
Young babies thrive on touch and infant massage is fast gaining in popularity due to its wonderful effects on babies’ health and well-being as well as the enjoyable, bonding experience it provides the parents or caregivers. Massaging your baby will help relieve discomfort of teething, colic, chest and sinus congestion as well as emotional stress and tension.
The Natural Way
Regular infant massage has been shown to improve neurological development and strengthen the immune system. The experience of therapeutic touch increases your child’s sensory awareness, improves circulation and enhances the tone and growth of developing muscles.
Massage is also a wonderful way to bond with your baby, increase your confidence as a new parent and allow your partner to become involved as a hands-on dad to your new little one – especially if you are breastfeeding.
It is a relaxing and fun activity for both the parent and the baby and it can also increase how long and how deeply your baby sleeps – which is good news for everyone!
FAQ’s
Q: When should I massage my baby?
A: When you want to spend some special time bonding with your baby, a massage is usually a wonderful option. In general, about half an hour after feeding is a good time for massage in order to avoid any discomfort. After a bath or before settling your little one down to sleep are also both ideal times. Infant massage is best done when you have some time and are not in a hurry. However, if your attempts to massage your baby are met with resistance or your baby doesn’t cooperate with you – don’t become frustrated – rather try again at another time.
Q: _What else is important before I start? _
A: Put your bottle of Baby Massage Oil into a bowl or jug of hot (not boiling)water to warm. Make sure you are in a warm environment and undress your baby completely. You may prefer to cover the areas of your baby’s body not being massaged if the weather is cold. Place your little one on a soft surface and ensure that your hands are warm. Now you are ready to start.
Q: How should I massage my baby?
- Start from your baby’s head and work your way down to the toes. It is best to leave out your baby’s face and genital region altogether. You should use a soft, gentle pressure no firmer than you can comfortably press on your own eyelids when your eyes are closed.
- Start on your baby’s temples and gently move to the top of the head, the area around the ears and along the jaw line. Gently massage the back and sides of the neck and move slowly down to the shoulders and upper chest.
- Next, stroke the armpits and then along the arms with your finger and thumb encircling the arm. At the joints you may like to move them back and forth very slowly and gently but be careful especially of the sensitive elbow joint.
- In a large, clockwise, circular motion massage the abdomen. Move to the legs and massage as you did the arms. The feet are next and this part of the massage will really relax your baby. Put gentle pressure on the toes one by one and then gently rub the rest of the foot and the heels.
- Turn your baby over to massage his/her back. Soft strokes from the head along the shoulders and down the back either side of the spine to the buttocks, are best. Once again, massage the legs down to the feet.
- Gently repeat the whole process from head to toes.
- If your baby wants to move or change position, don’t worry, just move to a newly-accessible area and return to the part you had been massaging later on.
- You can also talk to your baby or sing while you are massaging. However, maintain quiet peaceful sounds in order to enhance the relaxing effect.
Michele Carelse M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
