Self-Help

Massage Your Infant

Note: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.

Nurture Your Baby With the Loving Touch of Infant Massage

You want your baby to grow up healthy and happy. Perhaps you want to spend more time interacting with your infant in a loving way or to help your baby relax. If your baby was born premature, you may also want to do something extra to help his/her growth. Infant massage is a wonderful activity appropriate for meeting all those intentions.

Infant Massage is easy to learn and share with your little one. Babies of any age, including newborns, can receive massage. Touch is so important for all ages, but especially for infants. Massage is a specialized form of touch that is enjoyable and healthy for both the giver and receiver. Infant massage encourages the little one's physical growth and psychological health, supports the bonding process between parent and baby, and is enjoyable, relaxing, and pleasurable.

Special Benefits of Infant Massage

Stimulates the digestive system
Enhances neurological development
Tones muscles
May help colic and sleep
Forms and strengthens bonds between parent and baby
Contributes to development of secure, self-confident children
May relax or calm anxious babies
Conveys nurturing and love
Encourges physical growth and psychological health
Promotes parental awareness and communication

How to massage your baby

Massages are best given when your baby is alert.
Following a regular schedule, such as once a day, is best.
Choose a place that is warm, quiet, and comfortable, and a time when you will not be interrupted or disturbed.
Use a natural unscented vegetable oil such as canola, safflower, castor, corn, or olive oil.
Be sure your hands are clean and your nails are trimmed short to avoid scratching.
Strokes may be gentle but firm to avoid tickling.
The first massages may need to be as short as three minutes to avoid over-stimulating the little one's sensitive nervous system. The time may be gradually increased as the baby becomes accustomed to receiving massage.

The most important thing is to attune yourself to your baby's response. Let your baby give you cues as to how the massage is going and if he or she is enjoying it, and if not, end the massage early or try when the baby is a little older. Clear eyes, alert attention, relaxation, smiles, and coos are all signs of enjoyment.

Points to Remember

Follow a regular massage schedule
Don't massage if you're not calm and happy
Start small - three minutes! Babies are easily overstimulated.
Adapt massage to baby's activity level
Let baby set the lead

As infants grow older, parents often find that appropriate and safe touch continues as a form of communication and pleasure for both themselves and their growing children.

You may Search Amazon.com for books and videos about infant massage.

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Website Claimer and Disclaimer: In the holistic healing model, each person is responsible for one's own health and makes one's own choices in healing. The information in this website is provided for your information and education. It is not medical advice. Any application of the information is at your own discretion. If you feel you need to do so, consult with your physician or other knowledgeable health care practitioner before or while making use of this information.

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