This is an easy, shortened version of the baby massage routine that you can practise at home because I know that lots of you want to practise outside of class but forget the routines. I have left out the massage for colic and colds, which is available on request.
Happy Massaging!!
Setting for Massage
Make sure your baby is warm, alert and happy. Many people find that a good time is just after or before bathtime but that might not work for you, so just find a time that does work, some people like to do it at the same time every day other people like to fit it in when they can, just do whatever is best for you. Don’t force your baby to be massaged if they are not in the mood or asleep, and don’t get upset with yourself if you can’t fit it in every day.
Oil
There are many expensive Baby oils on the market but I tend to prefer to use unprocessed oil, as a rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin. I use coconut oil, as it smells lovely and doesn’t leave baby all greasy, but olive oil or sunflower oil works just as well.
What should my baby wear?
Put your baby on a towel in just their nappy. It is vital for the massage that there is skin on skin contact as this is how the oxytocin is released in both you and your babies brain. To read more about the benefits of oxytocin and massage then read this article.
Right let’s get massaging!
Before you begin, keep your baby engaged by speaking to them, tell them what you are doing, (“Look I’m taking out the oil, that means it’s massage time”), and maintaining eye contact.
Then when you are ready put both hands on babies chest, take 3 deep breathes and ask them if they would like to have a massage today. This might seem like a strange thing to do but it’s important that you set up up boundaries and show your baby that you respect their body and wishes. Your baby will very quickly learn the cues that a massage is about to begin and will communicate to you if they are in the mood.
Do each stroke for about three minutes or as long as baby is enjoying it 🙂
LEGS
Start with the legs as these are least sensitive part of the body and most babies enjoy this. Quite often with very young babies it might take a while to get past the legs but that’s OK just stay doing the legs, they are still getting the benefits of the bonding and relaxation.
- Start by holding the babies foot with one hand and running up the leg with the other hand as though you are ‘milking’ the leg. Make sure the oil is warm and be careful of the joints.
- making sure your have plenty of oil on your hands turn your hands in opposit directions up and down the leg.
- take the leg in both hands and roll the leg between the hands
- Repeat on opposite leg
If at any time baby doesn’t like a new move just continue with the old one and as soon as baby starts getting grizzly, stop.
Feet
Some babies (like adults) find the feet very ticklish and some love it!
- Rub the thumb up the sole of the feet gently but firmly.
- Roll the thumb around the ankle and the heel in a circular motion.
- Twizzle the toes between your fingers like you’re doing ‘this little piggy went to market’
Tummy
Do everything on the tummy in a clockwise direction and don’t let your hand wander up the chest, keep below the ribs.
- Draw a circle around the belly button in a clockwise direction.
- Draw a daisy around the belly button in a clockwise direction.
- Sweep the hands down the tummy.
- March the legs up and down to release any wind.
Arm
- Start by holding the babies foot with one hand and running up the leg with the other hand as though you are ‘milking’ the arm. Make sure the oil is warm and be careful of the joints.
- Making sure your have plenty of oil on your hands turn your hands in opposit directions up and down the arm.
- Take the arm in both hands and roll the arm between the hands
- Repeat on opposite arm
Chest
- Draw a heart in the centre of the babies chest up to the shoulders.