How to Massage your Baby?

Babies need to be massaged regularly to attain the proper physical growth and emotional health. Baby massage is known to boost their immune systems, help in muscle development, and reduce stress. It’s a wonderful way to develop the bond between the mother & the child. Learning how and when to massage your baby will help you get the most out of this ancient therapeutic practice.

The best time to massage your little one is when he is alert, well-rested, and seems interested in the environment. It can be either in the morning or in the evening – Before a bath is the ideal time since you can wash away the oil during the bath to prevent the accumulation of residual oil on the baby’s sensitive skin.

Setting up for massage

Massage needs to be done in a well-ventilated room. Get together a clean nappy, a changing mat, a towel and most importantly a massage oil that is specifically made for babies.

Step 1 - Seeking permission

The first step is to lay the baby on the changing mat and take your baby’s ‘permission’ since you would not like to give him a massage when he is not interested.

Step 2 - Massaging the legs

Start by lightly massaging each toe right to the tip. This helps stimulate nerve endings. Do not pull any toe like a massager does in adult foot massage. Gently stroke from the foot up to the thigh. Do it as if you are gently wringing a towel.

Step 3 - Moving to the arms

After the legs have been massaged, the arms should be massaged. The pattern of massaging is quite similar to the legs. Massage the entire arm with gentle circular motions as if you are wringing a towel.

Step 4 - Chest and shoulder massage

Make gentle strokes in tandem from the left and right shoulder towards the chest of the baby. Now place both hands at the center of the baby’s chest and rub outwards from the body to the sides; after this, make gentle strokes outward from the chest bone, across the chest, as if tracing a heart shape.

Step 5 - Time for tummy massage

Now comes the baby’s stomach. Remember, this is a delicate area. Do not apply any pressure. Let your hands gently glide across the belly.

Step 6 - Massaging face and head

Begin by placing the tip of your index finger at the center of baby’s forehead and slowly stroking along the outline of his face towards his chin. Repeat the strokes a few times.After massaging the face, start massaging the scalp with the fingertip as if you are shampooing the baby’s hair.

Step 7 - Finally the back

It is finally time to turn your baby around and massage his back. Place your fingertips on the baby’s upper back and trace clockwise circles while slowly moving the strokes towards his buttocks. Then place your index finger and middle finger on either side of the upper spine and very gently move the fingers towards the buttocks.

Baby Massage Tips

If at any point during the massage your baby becomes cranky, then just skip that massage step and move to the next one.
If he is still irritable, then stop the massage. You can make an attempt at massaging him later when he seems more receptive to touch.
Always be gentle during a massage. Never apply too much pressure on the baby’s body since his bones and tissues are very delicate. Also never massage the genitals or around the groin area.
Speak, laugh, and smile while massaging your baby. When he looks at you, initiate eye contact and do some baby talk with a smile. This will help keep him interested in the activity eventually making him more cooperative.
When done, wipe away the oil on the baby’s palms and fingers using a tissue paper. This is to prevent him from accidentally ingesting the oil when he puts his fingers in his mouth. It is for this reason, choose baby massage oils that are 100% safe for babies and do not pose any health risk even on accidental ingestion.