The Benefits of Baby Massage
In many hospitals and birth centers, newborns are places on the mother’s chest to give them as much skin-to skin contact as possible. Gentle and loving touch can help small babies grow stronger and feel less anxiety. Infants who experience routine touch show 50% more eye contact and are 3 times more likely to have an overall positive expression than infants who do not.
Infant massage may soothe your baby and reduce his/her crying, aid digestion and help relieve colic, gas and constipation, increase daily weight gain, enhance your baby’s adjustment to nighttime sleep, and help him/her sleep more deeply, relieve nasal congestion and teething discomfort, help develop good muscle tone, coordination and suppleness, enhance body awareness, boost the immune system, improve skin texture, help calm and relax both you and your baby, and boost your confidence.
Products for Baby Massage
Choose a gentle product to massage your baby’s skin, such as a baby lotion or oil. Our Clinically Proven Mildness lotions and oils are gentle; free of parabens, phthalates, and dyes; and formulated for baby’s delicate skin.
Did you know?
Researchers believe that a positive maternal childhood helps to form the basis for future relationships.
How To Massage a Baby
A gentle massage can calm your baby, aid in his/her development and even help him/her sleep better. All it takes is a few minutes and these five easy steps.
8 Baby Massage Tips & Tricks
Choose a time when your baby is awake and alert, not too hungry or too full.
Ensure the room is warm and lighting not too bright.
Have what you need ready: baby massage oil or lotion, towel, clean diapers and clothes.
Wash your hands and remove jewelry.
Find a comfortable place to massage so they can see your face clearly.
Before starting, relax with a few full breaths — this can help your baby relax too.
Babies are always changing. Some may feel more secure if they’re close to their parents.
Use baby oil or lotion and glide comfortably over baby’s skin.
WARNING: Keep all products out of reach of children. Keep any baby oil out of children’s reach to avoid drinking and accidental inhalation, which can cause serious injury. Should breathing problems occur, consult a doctor immediately.
Massage Guides
You have a toddler! At this stage your baby will be much more active, wriggling, sitting up, crawling and trying to stand.
During toddler massage, try to introduce fun by singing songs, rhyming and even playing games. Use these toddler massage techniques to help your little one’s develop his/her self-confidence and his/her ability to relate to others while also helping to build his/her coordination and strength to help him/her prepare to walk.
Legs Rolling
Leg rolling is a fun activity which increases body awareness. With your hands, roll the leg from thigh to ankle.
Back
If your baby wants to sit upright, you can adapt your toddler massage technique. Swoop one hand after the other from neck down the back and up again.
Gentle Movements
Gentle movements help to develop baby’s coordination, align the spine and keep your baby flexible.
Cross-Cross-Cross-Open
Cross your baby’s arms at the chest three times, alternating, which arm is over and under. Then gently stretch the arms out to the side.
