How to Give a Baby a Massage

Infant massage can help to relax your baby and decrease your stess. It can help your baby to sleep better and it stimulates brain development and sensory awareness. Infant massage also helps to strengthen the bond between parent and baby. The following article discusses how to give your baby a massage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfortable and safe place to lay baby down

How to Give a Baby a Massage

1. Begin with your baby's head and work your way down his body to his feet. To massage his head, gently touch his forehead and temples. Move to his eyebrows, eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips, and ears.
2. Gently rub your baby's neck. Use small movements to massage the neck and slowly move to the shoulders. Place both hands on his shoulders and gently massage from his neck to his shoulders.
3. Circle your baby's arm with your finger and thumb. Rub around the underarm area and move down along his arm. Gently turn his wrist to help him practice this movement.
4. Use circular motions to massage your baby's stomach. Move clockwise around his tummy beginning below his ribs.
5. Rub each leg lightly with your entire hand. Carefully flex his legs and knees.
6. Rub your baby's feet by placing light pressure on each toe. Rub the foot and return to the toes. Rub his heel in a circular motion.
7. Place your baby on his stomach to rub his back. Slowly rub his back, taking care to always rub in the same direction. Do not massage your baby's spinal cord. Simply rest your hands there to allow him to feel the warm sensation.

Tips & Warnings

• Massage your baby when you want to spent a few special moments with him and when you are able to take the time and not be rushed.
• Massage your baby when he is relaxed and calm. About 30 minutes after he is finished eating is usually a good time.
• Do not get frustrated if your baby is not cooperating with the massage. Take a break and try again later.
• Be sure not to rub your baby too hard. To be sure, close your eyes and press on your eyelids without feeling discomfort. This is the level of pressure that you should use when massaging your baby.