Massage has become increasing popular as a gentle and nurturing therapy which facilitates improved bonding between parents and their new babies. Some of the many benefits of baby massage include improved sleeping
patterns, relaxation, improved digestion and elimination of waste, improved muscle tone and strength, and even weight gain in premature babies.
When a baby is born prematurely, physical contact may be extremely limited. It is in this situation in particular, that massage can offer parents a means to having some personal involvement in the care and comfort of their newborn.
Don't worry if your baby does not respond too well the first time you attempt to massage, as some children may need to experience two or three extremely short sessions before they begin to really enjoy this time with you.
Always check for queues from your baby. Not every child will be immediately secure in being undressed for a period of time, so be sure to only ever massage when Baby is relaxed and content and offers you signs that the experience is indeed pleasurable.
For Baby to gain the most from massage, aim to use long, fluid strokes, in a direction toward the heart - taking into consideration the direction of blood flow in the body. Always follow the direction of hair growth, to stroke in the opposite direction may cause over stimulation and distress.
Use the whole hand (palm) where possible, and don't forget the soles of the feet, hands and scalp areas that can be extremely responsive to massage. Even with older babies, it is usually recommended to begin at the legs as this is the area where they are most accustomed to being handled as a result
of numerous nappy changes and the like, and with older children, to begin at the head or chest is often non-intrusive.
Take a few deep breaths to relax yourself. Speak softly to your child, letting them know they are about to be massaged and they will learn to understand this will become an extremely special time that you both share.
10 Steps to Basic Infant Massage
Step 1. Always start at the legs for newborns, as this is least intrusive area. Begin by holding Baby's right foot in your left hand, gently stroking up the
leg with your right hand, from the outside of the ankle, up over the knee and to the inner thigh, then sweeping down to the inside ankle. Repeat each stroke 2-3 times.
Step 2. Using both hands, apply a gentle 'wringing' action, squeezing up and down the length of the leg, finishing at the ankle.
Step 3. Use your thumb to lightly circle the soles of the feet, gently squeezing and releasing Baby's toes one by one. Gently move one hand off Baby's leg
and onto the other leg, then move your second hand over so as not to break the flow of fluid movement. Continue to massage Baby's other leg using strokes explained in Steps 1-3.
Step 4. Move up toward the tummy area and make contact with this new 'space' so Baby becomes familiar with the area to be massaged next. This is an ideal
time to introduce circle shapes and shapes of letters, even spelling out words on the skin, making the massage more enjoyable particularly for the older child. Be sure to maintain eye contact as you explain the shape or word you are making to your child. Keep in mind strokes should be in a
clockwise direction and should be confined to the abdomen only.
Massage Baby's tummy from YOUR left to right, (clockwise) in the direction of their digestive tract, using small circles with fingertips or the flat of your hand and taking care to avoid the umbilical cord area.
Step 5. Complete the front by placing both hands in the centre of Baby's chest and sweep up and out over the centre of the chest, over the shoulders and
hugging the entire length of the arms finishing off at the fingertips.
Using both hands massage Baby's arms using a gentle squeezing up and down, finishing off at the fingertips. Massage each finger from knuckle to tip but do not attempt to restrain your baby if he/she curls fingers, kicks or moves arms during any part of the massage.
Step 6. Gently turn Baby over and use the whole hand to stroke from the shoulders, down Baby's back to the buttocks - take care of Baby's delicate
spinal area and instead always work either side of the spine.
Step 7. Use both thumbs to make small circles around the top of the buttocks using both hands, starting toward the middle and moving out to the sides.
Gently knead or 'roll' the buttocks simultaneously with both hands using a press and release action.
Step 8. Move onto the back of Baby's legs and use a gentle wring and release action starting at the top of one leg, massaging from the thigh all the way
down the back of the leg and onto the soles of the foot. Move hands one at a time gently onto the second leg and repeat these movements.
Step 9. Using long, light and fluid strokes from the head to Baby's toes, finish off the back area.
Step 10. Carefully turn your baby over and stroke across the forehead using fingertips of both hands. Starting in the middle and gliding out toward Baby's temples.
Pause for a moment and use feather-light circles around the temple area. Do not massage near the eye/eyelids and take care not to get oil near Baby's eye area.
This article is courtesy of Catherine Arfi, Owner of Aromababy.
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