Infant massage has been used for thousands of years! It has been most prevalent in Africa and South American cultures. The Western world has recently become interested in infant massage as it has scientifically proven benefits to both mama and baby.
The History of Infant Massage
In countries such as Nigeria, India, Bali and Fiji, infant massage is considered a routine part of the newborns life from the moment baby is born until baby is almost one year old.
In 1993, the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine studied mothers in Kolkata who performed traditional infant massage on their newborn babies as part of their everyday and evening routines. After the massage routine, which is loving but vigerous, 100% of the babies slept soundly!
In other countries, baby massage was performed daily after the child's evening bath and the results were the same - content, sleeping babies.
What Environment Should the Infant Massage Take Place In?
The room should be warm, a little warmer than room temp at about 25°C. The room should be quiet. Some background music can help, but make sure it is soothing music. Turn the TV off. Lay your baby naked on a soft towel or blanket. If you think baby is cold, then make the room warmer.
Time for Infant Massage
You can massage your baby at any time of the day, but is best done after your baby's bath, and especially in the evening before he goes to sleep for the night.
The Type of Touch
Baby massage should not involve a lot of pressure. To determine the correct pressure to use: close your eyes and massage your eyeballs.
Strokes to Use
When massaging the small areas of baby, like the face, use only your fingertips. Larger areas are better massaged with the flat palm of your hand.
Oils to Use
Grapeseed is the best oil to use. Avoid nut-based oils, because they can cause an allergic reaction. Regular baby oil is not recommended. Many manufacturers now make specially designed baby massage oils. Some aromatherapy oils can be particularly beneficial (such as lavender to soothe and calm), but it is important that they are correctly diluted with a carrier oil (like grapeseed oil).
Method of Infant Massage
- Starting at your baby's face, use your fingertips to gently stroke upwards over her cheeks, forehead and chin, gently circling her eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
- Next, massage your baby's arms. Start by circling them at the shoulder, before moving down his arms to his wrists. Gently use your fingertips on his palms.
- Moving on to your baby's legs, use your whole hand to massage in an upward direction, gently bringing your child's knees up to her tummy (this can help to relieve colic and gas pains). Use your fingertips to massage circles on your baby's feet.
- At your baby's tummy, use gentle circles in a clockwise direction starting at his belly button, and gradually increase the size of the circles.
- Finally, use your palms to sweep slowly and gently along your baby's back up to her shoulders. Do not massage her spine.
- Once you have finished your infant massage session, dress your baby and make sure he is comfortable. If your baby seems distressed at any time, or does not appear to be enjoying his massage, stop and comfort him, and try infant massage again another time.
If baby is in "gassy pain" try these tips to soothe his tummy:
- Very gently stroke your baby's tummy from top to bottom using the outer edges of first one hand, then the other, in a motion like a waterwheel.
- Push his knees onto his tummy, and hold for a count of ten.
- Massage the tummy with one hand following the other in clockwise circles. Picture in your mind-and tell your baby-that a gas bubble is leaving his body.
- Walk your fingers across your baby's tummy from the right to the left side, then down toward your baby's left hip (to move gas toward the rectum). Repeat sequence as needed
