The Benefits of Baby Massage and How to do it

What is baby massage?

Baby massage is gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby's body with your hands. As part of your massage routine, you can also gently manipulate your baby's ankles, wrists and fingers. 

The soothing strokes of your hands stimulate the production of the feel-good hormone oxytocin in you, your baby and even your partner if he's watching. Oxytocin is the hormone that gives you that warm, loving feeling when you hold your baby close or breastfeed her.

What are the benefits of baby massage?

There are lots of ways baby massage can benefit not just your baby, but you and your partner as well. Massage can be particularly good for premature babies, helping them to grow and thrive. But massage is good for full-term babies too. In fact, all small children can benefit from massage. 

Massage may help your baby to: 

• strengthen her attachment to you
• stay relaxed and not get upset
• cry less
• sleep better

One study showed that massage may reduce the number of illnesses your baby has, cutting down on the need for trips to see the doctor or nurse. We need more studies to be done to confirm this, though. 

There's also a theory that touch and skin-to-skin contact help to stimulate your baby's brain development. 

You may find giving your baby a massage lifts your mood and helps you to feel more empowered as a parent. The time you set aside for a massage can be your special time together. 

As you massage your baby, it comes naturally to chat to her and make plenty of eye contact with her. This is one reason why massage can help mums with postnatal depression. Find out about the other benefits of baby massage for mums with depression and their babies. 

Baby massage can be great for dads, too. Some dads may miss out on a lot of the hands-on care of their babies, especially if they are at work and their baby is breastfed. A regular massage with dad can become a routine, perhaps at bedtime, that helps to bring them closer. 

When is the best time to massage my baby?

Try to pick a time when your baby is between feeds. Then she won't be too hungry or too full. It's also best not to start just before her nap. A good time to massage your baby is when she is awake, but settled. 

If your baby is sleeping and feeding often you may wonder when this golden time for massage is going to come around! You'll get to know when your baby is most content to have a massage. You may like to make it part of your baby's bedtime routine, perhaps after a bath and before a bedtime feed. 

A massage before bedtime will help your baby to wind down after the stimulations of the day and become calm, ready for sleep. 

What do I need before I start a massage?

Make sure the room is warm, and there are no draughts. Then lay your baby down on a towel or folded sheet, perhaps with a changing mat underneath. You may prefer to keep your baby's vest on if it is a little cool. Or let her enjoy being completely naked for a change. 

As this is a special time for you and your baby, make sure there aren't any distractions in the room. If you have a pet, put it in another room, and turn off your mobile phone. You may even like to play some relaxing music, turned low enough so that your baby can hear you talk to her. 

Have everything that you'll need to hand, including: 

• massage oil
• towels or muslin squares to mop up any accidents
• clothes to dress your baby in afterwards
• your usual nappy-changing kit

Using oil or cream will make it easier for your hands to glide over your baby's skin and may be more relaxing for your baby. It's up to you whether you use a baby moisturiser or vegetable oil or baby mineral oil for massage. 

Whichever oil or cream you use, it's best to dab a little on your baby's skin first, just in case she has a reaction. 

However, there are some oils or creams that it's definitely best not to use, because there's a chance they'll irritate your baby's skin. These are: 

• Mustard oil, because the way it's processed may mean it is contaminated with other seeds.


• Peanut oil, because, unless it's refined, the proteins it contains may trigger an allergic reaction on your baby's skin. It's hard to find pure, refined peanut oil.


• Aqueous cream, because it contains detergents that may irritate your baby's skin.

If your baby has eczema, you can use her prescribed cream during the massage.

How should I massage my baby?

You may like to follow a routine pattern, perhaps massaging your baby's legs before her arms, hands and body. Your baby will appreciate a routine, too. She'll find it comforting to know what's coming next. The first few times you may just want to do your baby's legs until she gets used to the sensation. 

To learn a massage routine, you could ask your health visitor whether there is a clinic or children's centre near you that runs a baby massage course. 

If you want to get started sooner, look at our step-by-step guide or follow this routine: 

• Warm a tiny squirt of oil or cream in your hands by rubbing it between your palms.
• Very gently rub it into your baby's skin, starting with her legs. It's a good place to start because your baby is used to having her legs touched during nappy changes.


• Work your way up her legs, lightly squeezing her calves and thighs.



• For your baby's chest and tummy, gently place both hands flat against the centre of her body. Spread your hands to the sides, as if flattening the pages of a book.



• With your hands still flat, use your fingertips to stroke outward in small circles.



• Keep going for as long as your baby seems to be enjoying it.

Reading your baby’s cues is the most important aspect of massage. Your baby will tell you when the massage needs to end and which strokes she's liking or disliking. If your baby starts to cry during the massage, she is telling you that she has had enough.

i am also adding a demonstration video Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHNzOQynmQ

Refr. -baby center