baby massage
Baby massage has been practiced in Asia and India for centuries, but has only recently exploded in popularity in Western countries. Baby massage can help babies to sleep better, suffer less wind and reduce stress, but it also promotes the bond between parent and baby. Happy, sleepy baby and a happy Mum? What you are waiting for?
Massage benefits Mums and bubs
Research has shown that babies who are massaged display better sleep patterns and have lower levels of stress hormones than infants who are not. There is also evidence that massage can help babies suffering from wind and colic, leading to better settled and happier babies. The benefits of massage go beyond the physical, though. Soothing touch and concentrated attention can lead to increased communication between parent and child, strengthening the bond between parent and child.
Infant massage is also beneficial for mothers because giving a massage releases oxytocin, the hormone responsible for breast feeding and which also, happily, helps to reduce stress.
How do I give a baby massage?
Baby massage can be as simple as firmly, but gently, rubbing oil into your baby's skin. But for a more comprehensive massage, follow these simple steps:
1. First, make sure that your baby is happy to lie still. If your baby is upset or fidgety, it might be best to leave the massage for another time. Immediately following the bath can be a great time for a massage, when baby is warm and relaxed and is already undressed.
2. Place the baby on a firm surface like a change table or on the floor on a towel. Put a few drops of oil on your hands and rub them together to warm the oil. With your baby lying on her back, talk or sing to her while you massage her feet firmly but gently. For very young babies, a gentle foot massage may be all they can cope with. That's fine, and when she's older your baby may enjoy a longer massage.
3. If your baby is still happy, massage her legs, grasping the leg gently at the top and running your hand the length of the leg. When you reach the foot, start again from the top.
4. Gently move the babies legs, bending her knees up to her tummy and then straighten them out, in an action like frog kick. This can help with disgestion and wind.
5. Moving on to her tummy, check that her tummy is not firm or full of food. If the tummy is soft, massage in a clockwise direction to aid digestion. If your baby starts to squirm or feel uncomfortable, move away from the tummy, up to the chest.
6. Massage your baby's chest from the collarbones down and out towards her sides. Then massage her arms and you did with the legs, starting from the top and working down to the hands. Try not to get oil on your baby's hands or, if you do, make sure you wipe them before the baby puts them in her mouth.
7. Face massage should start at the forehead, moving from between the eyes, over the eyebrows and down the sides of her face, along her jaw and finishing on her chin. Then massage down the nose and across the cheeks.
8. If your baby is still happy, turn her onto her stomach and massage her back. Small circles down her spine, then long strokes from neck to bottom.
Best oils for baby massage
While almost any lotion or oil can help with smoothing the massage process, most massage practitioners recommend using plant-based oil for baby massage. Not only is it absorbed easily into the skin, but it is easily digestible if the baby sucks her oily fingers. Babies have sensitive skin, so try a little oil on her skin first to see if there's a reaction.
Good oils to try include:
? Olive oil
? Sweet almond oil (available from pharmacies)
? Grapeseed oil
Discuss your baby with Essential Baby Mums.
