How To Massage a Baby

You just had a baby. Congratulations are in order!!! If this is your first child this time can be scary, especially for new dads. Infant/baby massage can be a great way to bond, and help your child adjust to being in the world as I describe in my previous article "Benefits of baby massage" So lets get right to the heart of the matter and break the massage down into simple steps.

Getting ready:First things first, oil. Your choice of oil for your massage time is very important. Baby skin absorbs more than adult skin, so a good choice would be a nice organic unscented grapeseed oil. Once you've gotten that your going to want to make sure the space is nice and warm and that your baby is in a good mood. Start by asking your child's permission. I know this seems a bit odd and strange but we as adults expect our personal space to be respected and this is a good exercise to show respect to our baby's bodies. They hear us and know that their body is theirs, from the very beginning. Now you can undress your baby down to the diaper. We want to introduce our touch gently and make sure baby is aware that the massage is going to start. Rub oil together in your hands so they see you.

Massaging the feet and legsBabies come from a place that is warm, wet, and secure. Once baby's are born they are often met with heel pricks and other painful health precautions. This can cause issues with some children's feet. When reaching for your baby's feet be aware that they may fear their feet being touched due to these first encounters. Let your child express his/her pain. Let your baby know that its ok and lets replace those painful memories with good ones of massaging touch. Ticklish or light touch is too stimulating and uncomfortable for most babies, so take a firm grip on your baby's thigh and gently but firmly squeeze and pull down to the foot. Repeat with the other leg. Talk to your baby. Smile, let this be a happy experience. You can then slide your thumbs firmly up the soles of your baby's feet. Rotate and stretch the muscles. You can then squeeze back up from foot to hip. Experiment. See what your baby likes. Each person is different! Spend time finding out what your baby likes.