How to Massage a Baby in Your Home

Setting up the home environment to be warm, quiet and comfortable is the first step toward a relaxing, loving experience as you give your baby a massage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Blankets
• Baby Hooded Towels
• Towels
• Towels
• Massage Oils
• Towels

1. Select a room that is quiet and warm.

2. Find a position that is comfortable for both of you. Be aware of your back.

3. Either cradle the baby on a pillow on your lap or position your baby on a towel or blanket in front of you. When having their backs stroked, young babies love to be held against your chest.

4. Have massage oil handy.

5. Take off any jewelry that may scratch the baby's soft skin.

6. Undress the baby. Either leave on a onesie or a diaper or strip the baby down to his or her birthday suit. Be aware of room temperature.

7. Breathe deeply, and relax. The baby will feel any tension in your body through your hands.

8. Swish the massage oil in your hands to give the baby a cue that you are ready to begin.

9. Talk to your baby while massaging. It is an interaction. Listen to your baby talk back to you.

Tips & Warnings

• The best time to massage your baby is during the baby's "quiet, alert" state when he or she is relaxed, has his or her eyes open and is looking straight at you.
• Check with your baby's health-care provider before the first massage. Some ultrasensitive babies may not enjoy the massage until they are a bit older.

on 11/22/2005 For babies with gas or digestive problems do the "I Love You" technique.
1. Lie your baby on his or her back.
2. Undress the baby leaving on only a diaper.
3. With your right hand (palm) gently run down the right side of the baby's body in a straight line, not pressing hard but in a soothing way(like the letter 'I').
4. Take your right hand, and in a straight line starting from the left side of the baby, run your hand across the baby's chest (under their ribs) in a straight line toward the right side of the body and then down (sort of like a upside-down 'L').
5. With your right palm, starting from the left side of the baby by his side and by his thigh, do an upside-down 'U' shape across the baby's body, and under the ribs. Finish by the right side of the baby's hip (where the hip starts)

This is a technique that baby's enjoy and it helps the digestive system. If you do this improperly, it can cause gas for the baby. So please do it the way outlined above.