Pregnancy tips Infant Massage

I'm sorry I never knew or learned about infant massage. Although my daughter was an easy baby who was quite content most of the time, she probably could have benefited from a massage when she was fussy.


Here is an article from mothersintuitionmassage.com which gives some pointers on infant massage:

"The best time to massage your baby is at bath time or bedtime – massaged babies fall asleep right away, so it’s better not to massage immediately after a feeding or when a baby is hungry.

Choose a room that is warm and draft-free where you can sit on the floor or a bed with the baby in front of you on a padded pillow or blanket.

Take a few deep breaths to relax before you begin. Stretch and shake the tension from your body.

Make sure your hands are clean and warm, remove jewelry and be sure to rub in a way that your nails don’t scratch the baby’s skin.

Use some cold-pressed, natural oil – such as coconut or canola oil – [Rick: I prefer Jojoba Oil] to prevent friction and to allow for deeper stroking. Refrain from using mineral oil, which clogs the pores, and nut oils, in case of allergies. Choosing something unscented lets your baby bond with your scent first. Keep your hands well-oiled throughout.

Begin with the legs and feet using slow, gentle strokes. Babies are delicate, but too light a touch can be ticklish and aggravating, advises Karen Wright, a certified infant massage instructor. If your baby splays her fingers or toes, or avoids your gaze and looks away, she’s telling you that she’s stressed or that you’re using too much pressure, Wright says. If your baby clenches her fists in front of her chest, don’t try to pull her arms apart. This is a stance that the baby isn’t ready to be touched there. Some infants are extremely sensitive and can’t deal with a lot of touching at first. Maintain eye contact and observe your baby’s body language.

Massage your baby for about 15 minutes, stroking both sides of his body symmetrically. Think of the massage as a gentle, warm communication. Go slowly at the beginning so your baby can get used to the new sensations gradually.

Stop if your baby cries. You cannot force a baby to relax. Try again when the baby is more receptive.
“There are no mistakes in terms of technique,” says Wright. “Follow your baby’s cues. Massage is supposed to be enjoyable for both of you.”