Massaging A Baby’s Head And Face
A tender head and face massage can release tension, improve blood circulation, and encourage sound sleep before bedtime. And some good news for follically challenged babies: a head massage may even promote hair growth!
1. Cradling your baby’s head in both hands, massage the scalp with your fingertips, as if you’re shampooing.
2. Massage the ears between your thumb and index finger.
3. Trace a heart shape on your baby’s face, bringing your hands together at the chin.
4. Place your thumbs between your baby’s eyebrows, and stroke out.
5. Again with your thumbs, stroke gently out over your baby’s closed eyelids.
6. Stroke from the bridge of the nose out over the cheeks.
7. Using your fingertips, massage the jaw in small circles.
Learn How To Massage Your Baby
Whether a child is developing as expected, has occasional childhood illness or significant medical needs, learning appropriate and safe Infant massage techniques can be hugely beneficial. Many videos and other resources are available online, providing valuable learning opportunities when no local instructor is available, but we strongly encourage learning in person.
Infant massage specialists and health professionals recommend parents gain instruction from qualified practitioners wherever possible, especially if the child has a medical condition or is receiving treatment. Group and 1:1 instruction enables your Infant Massage Instructor to highlight safety concerns, adapt approaches, and teach you techniques specific to your childs individual medical needs. Small group classes also create social and support opportunities during a potentially isolating time in your life.
We recommend learning with a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. CIMIs are trained with the International Association of Infant Massage / World Institute for Nurturing Communication to teach infant massage to parents and caregivers. The IAIM/WINC instructors curriculum has been refined over 30 years through research, reflective practice and experience. It is taught in more than 50 countries by highly skilled trainers who undergo a minimum 7 year learning program before gaining Trainer qualification.
Infant Massage Therapy And How It Helps Baby Sleep
Infant massage helps to increase the bonding between the baby and their parents or caregiver.
It teaches both the caregiver and the baby how to relieve stress while helping to increase relaxation through the use of touch.
- lt helps to stimulate the development of various systems of the body
- lt helps to relieve colic and gas
- Massage helps to regulate sleep patterns and relax muscles
- Massage helps the caregiver to understand the messages or cues given by the baby, which in turn helps to increase the communication between caregiver and infant using body language. One of the most common and important signs is when your baby arches their back, that is their way of telling you no, I dont like this and is always important to listen. You should not continue to massage an infant that shows signs they do not want it.
While there are some similarities between massage for adults and infants, infant massage is NOT an adult massage done on an infant. Where adult massage uses pressure to relieve tension and knots in the muscles, infant massage uses stretching, pumping and wringing motions to get the circulation moving and even out the tissues from head to toe. Especially after they have been bundled up tight for a long period of time. There could be some contraindications* for massage therapy to anyone, but especially infants.
Don’t Miss: Hand And Stone Massage Charlotte Nc
When Is The Best Time To Give My Infant A Massage
Choose a time when your baby will be between feeds as he or she won’t be overly hungry or full then. When your baby is awake yet calm, it’s an excellent moment to massage them. Your baby will be ready to interact with you if he or she is quietly aware and interested in their surroundings. If your baby sleeps and feeds frequently, you may be wondering when the ideal time for massage will arrive. You’ll learn when your infant is most relaxed and enjoys a massage. You could want to incorporate it into your baby’s nighttime routine, possibly after a bath and before a night feed. A massage before bedtime will assist your baby in winding down from the day’s stimulus and becoming calm and ready for sleep.
Baby Massage Strengthens Bonds Between Mama And Baby
Studies show that the bond between baby and mama is reinforced through eye contact as well as skin-to-skin contact. Further research suggests infant massage is especially helpful for mothers with postpartum depression who have trouble bonding with their babies.
When parents massage their baby, hormones are released to help relax. Through massage, they learn to understand their baby, building their confidence Linda Storm, founding executive director of Infant Massage USA
But the benefits dont just apply to mama. A study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education found that baby massage significantly reduced paternal stress and improved the bond between dad and baby.
Studies also show that parents who practice infant massage are better able to communicate with their children. And parents of chronically ill children report lower levels of anxiety as a result of practicing baby massage.
Don’t Miss: Does Insurance Cover Medical Massage
Primary Outcome Measure #: Sleep Efficiency
Quality of sleep was defined by the number and duration of awakenings and thelongest sustained sleep period for the study interval. These data were measured byActigraph software and summarized as percentage of time spent sleeping, or sleepefficiency.
Sleep efficiency for the study period was 78.7% on the morningsthat massage therapy was administered, and 77.8% on the mornings withoutmassage therapy. No significant difference in sleep efficiency was found between the twogroups .
The Benefits Of Baby Massage
Daily infant massage has many advantages, which the International Association of Infant Massage breaks down into categories: interaction, stimulation, relief, and relaxation. Researchers find that these benefits affect not only the child, but their entire family and even society as a whole. Here are just a few of the standout benefits of baby massage.
Interaction. Regular massage promotes quality time between parents and baby, encouraging feelings of attachment, love, and trust. This close early contact with parents can encourage the development of empathy and confidence in children.
Stimulation. Infant massage stimulates all body systemsincluding digestive, hormonal, immune, and circulatoryas well as muscles and joints. Babies may experience improved body awareness, leading to better coordination and balance.
Relief. Parents have reported that massage may help provide relief from gastrointestinal issues such as colic and constipation, teething discomfort, and growing pains.
Relaxation. Infant massage has been linked to improved sleep patterns for babies and their parents, along with a reduction in stress hormones and an increase in “feel-good” hormones.
Don’t Miss: Hand And Stone Massage And Facial Spa Fort Lauderdale
How To Massage Your Babys Tummy
Massaging your babys tummy is a one way to help relieve constipation or gas. Heres how to massage your babys belly:
- Using your fingertips, draw an oval underneath your babys belly button.
- Move your fingers clockwise, which follows your babys digestive tract.
- Afterward, walk your fingertips diagonally, making an X from one side of your babys belly to the other.
- Repeat as necessary.
How To Massage A Babys Feet And Legs
You know how much you love foot massages? Babies love them too. Use the technique below to give your newborn baby a foot massage.
- Begin by holding your babys heel in your hand.
- With your other hand, massage your baby starting at the top of the thigh, and work your way down to the feet.
- Apply very gentle pressure on the thighs and legs all the way to the ankle. Think of it like youre handling a water balloon…you dont want to squeeze so tightly that it pops!
- Once you get to the feet, use your thumbs, and gently uncurl your babys toes with tender strokes.
- Once you finish one leg, switch to the other.
Also Check: Full Body Massage Therapy Techniques
Technique 2 Tummy Massage
Step 1 Place baby on back facing you.Step 2 Hold knees and feet close together and stretch legs straight out.Step 3 Lift knees toward babys tummy 3 times.Step 4 Place your hand on babys tummy and massage in firm but gentle circular movements from one side of tummy to the other. All movements should be clockwise to support digestive system.Step 5 Repeat 3 times slowly.
Things We Know To Be True About Baby And Toddler Massage
You May Like: Hand And Stone Massage Wellington Fl
Recommended Reading: Massage Therapy School Santa Cruz
How Often To Perform Baby Massage
How often you massage your baby depends on you and your baby. Some parents give their baby massages daily, while other parents massage their little ones every other day.
You can massage your baby during the morning to get the day going or at night before bedtime to help soothe your baby to sleep. Pay attention to your babys cues to help determine the best massage routine.
Here are some tips and techniques that will help you and your baby make the most of massage time.
Donât Miss: Lymphatic Massage Therapist Education Requirements
What Are The Advantages Of Massaging Your Baby
Massage is an excellent approach to improve your relationship with your child. Many academics and doctors believe that a healthy maternal-child attachment helps to create the foundation for future relationships, hence knowing how to massage a baby well is critical to a child’s development. The following are additional advantages of massaging your baby:
Also Check: Sanyo Hec 904 Massage Chair
Should You Use Massage Oils
When you massage your baby to sleep, it is not necessary to use lubricating oils. It is strictly a personal choice. You may choose to use a massage oil not only to moisturize their babys skin, but to minimize friction between your hands gliding over your babys tender skin.
If you do prefer to use an oil, select one that is safe and odorless, just in case your baby does gets some into her or his mouth.
Always do a patch test first to assure your baby doesnt have allergies with any product you are using. To perform a patch test, apply a small amount of the oil to an area of your infants skin and watch for a reaction within a few minutes. If no reaction, you should feel comfortable to use the oil.
Select an oil that is higher in linoleic acid, as those are safe for your baby if ingested . Consider the following oils for massage:
Note: oils high in oleic acid should be avoided because they can break down the natural protective skin barrier needed in early infants)Note: mineral oil and nut oil may be prone to cause allergic reactionNote: if you are averse to using oils try cornstarch to reduce contact friction
What Are The Benefits Of Infant Massage
How can infant massage benefit your little one? It may help ease your babys tummy troubles and teething pains, boost his muscle development, calm him when hes fussy, and soothe him to sleep.
But the advantages dont stop there: All that stroking and touching make it easier for you to bond with your newborn. Whats more, giving your baby a massage can help you find your own inner Zen, too .
You can start these gentle massages the day you bring your baby home. Or you can encourage your partner to try their hand at infant massage a good opportunity for bonding.
Recommended Reading: Massage Envy Keystone At The Crossing
Technique 4 Leg Massage
Here is a great massage to stimulate your babys legs.
Step 1 Place baby on back facing you.Step 2 With babys legs gently straightened, feather your fingertip pads down legs from thighs to top of feet and then to underside of feet. Move fingertip pads back up to thighs in the opposite direction. Repeat.Clasp your babys ankles in both hands and gently massage by using circular movements with your thumbs as your hands move from ankle to thigh.Step 3 Gently and firmly grasp your babys thigh with both hands.Step 4 Slide your hands down the leg from thigh to ankle.Step 5 Repeat Steps 1 through 3 approximately 2 to 4 times.Step 6 Alternate legs and complete Steps 1 through 4.Step 7 Raise babys legs to hips and slowly move them in a bicycle rotation. Repeat 4 times.Step 8 Hold one leg in your palm at the calf. Gently flex foot at the ankle with your other hand. Repeat. Switch hands and complete on opposite leg. RepeatStep 9 Straighten babys legs and feather your fingertips from side to side up the legs.Step 10 Finish by placing your palms gently on babys thighs.
At What Age You Can Start Giving Massages
You can start giving your baby massages before you even get home from the hospital. Mom can start from the first skin to skin to help calm a newborn down from the shock of entering the world. Dad can start that first night so mom can sleep. You cant give your hours-old newborn a deep tissue massage, but you can give a gentle caress.
Recommended Reading: Hand And Stone Massage Rolling Meadows
Other Benefits Of Baby And Toddler Massage
- Some people believe that baby massage is an opportunity to boost a parents confidence in touching and handling their child. As they calm, they give positive feedback to their parent.
- Helps to calm and soothe both parent and their child. Theres a symbiotic loop which occurs when a young child smiles and shows happiness which, in turn, causes their parent to smile back. This creates positive changes in the childs brain.
- Massage may help to relieve wind and colicky discomfort.
- Helps to fill in time between feeds and sleeps. Massage is another strategy for parents to try when theyre keen to use a flexible routine to create predictability around sleep and settling.
Parent And Baby Bonding
Along with having several potential health benefits, baby massages can also promote your little ones emotional health by helping to strengthen the bond between baby and parents. Skin-to-skin contact is an integral part of bonding with baby, and touch is essential to your little ones emotional development. Bedtime massages are an excellent way to make skin-to-skin bonding a part of your everyday routine.
Also Check: Best Massage Spa In Los Angeles
Baby Massage Improves Certain Conditions
Just like massage therapy can be used to treat various conditions in adults, massage therapy can also be used to treat conditions in babies and young children. For instance, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder performed better on tests after a massage. The same was true for children with ADHD. Other pediatric psychiatric disorders that were also improved by massage included:
Getting Started With Baby Massage
Massage can be soothing for babies. Make sure the room is warm, your baby is quiet, well-rested and alert, and youre relaxed. Try massage after a nap, when your baby is being changed or in the cot, or after a bath. You can do massage for 10-30 minutes.
Smooth a few drops of baby massage oil or sorbolene cream into your warm hands and massage the soles of babys feet. Use firm, gentle, slow strokes from heel to toe. Always keep one hand on baby. If you see signs of allergic reaction to the oil, wipe it off and see your GP.
Do long smooth strokes up babys leg. Massage from ankle up to thigh and over hip. Massage both legs at once or one at a time. Avoid the genital area. Hold babys leg under the knee and gently press it towards the tummy to help release wind.
Don’t Miss: Belly Massage For Constipation Baby
Is Baby Massage For Sleep Ok For Infants That Have Health Problems
If your infant has some underlying health problems, speak with your childs physician before attempting Baby Massage For Sleep. The physician can help you figure out if massage is suitable. You may also ask your childs physician if they are able to suggest a baby massage pro or other qualified specialists who will teach you methods to deal with your infants particular needs.
It may require a few attempts before you and your baby gets the hang of baby massage. Be patient. With just a little practice, baby massage can be a healthy way for you and your baby to bond and relax.