Games and Activities

Baby Massage

Giving your baby a massage can be a fantastic bonding experience for you and your baby, as well as having various benefits for your baby. Baby massage can help soothe your baby and make her feel relaxed. Studies have shown that babies who are given a massage before bed sleep better at night. Massaging your baby can also help improve her circulation and can help relieve the symptoms of colic, trapped wind and constipation. There are benefits for you too, studies have shown that when parents massage their babies, their mood lifts. Baby massage is especially beneficial for women with postnatal depression.

Many children's centres and privately run organisations hold baby massage classes. If you'd like to attend classes, ask your health visitor for details on local classes. They're also a great way to meet new mums and let your baby mix with other babies!

When To Do It

Choose a time to massage your baby when she is awake and contented. Don't do it when she's tired, hungry or just after a feed. Her tummy will be too full at this point which may make massage uncomfortable. Many parents choose it do it after bath time, and as part of their bedtime routine. This doesn't mean it's the best time for you and your baby however. If your baby doesn't seem to like you massaging her after her bath, try doing it before her nap instead.

Stop at any time if your baby doesn't seem to be enjoying it. Not all babies like being massaged, so if your baby cries, whimpers or tries to squirm away, she's telling you she doesn't like it.

How To Do It

Make sure the room is warm enough and lay your baby down on a soft, flat surface, such as a bed. You can massage your baby with their vest and nappy on, or take these off if you prefer skin-to-skin contact. If you take off your baby's nappy remember to put your baby on a changing mat with a towel underneath as babies are prone to little accidents while being massaged! To create a relaxing environment for you and your baby, make sure you have enough time to do it. Keep the room quiet, turning off the TV, radio and phone.

You don't have to use oil, but it helps your hands glide smoothly over your baby's skin. Baby oil and olive oil are safe to use on your baby (don't use aqueous cream, sesame, mustard or peanut oil).

If you're using oil, warm it up in your hands first (don't overdo the oil, a little oil goes a long way!). It's not recommended to massage a baby's head, but you can prepare your baby for the forthcoming massage by moving your hands over his body, from head to toe. This signals the start of the massage to your baby.

Start the massage with your baby's thighs and use gentle, light strokes over your baby's skin. Moving onto your baby's lower legs, support her ankle with one hand. Use the other hand to perform a 'milking' action on your baby's lower leg. When your hand reaches her ankle, move your other hand to the top of her lower leg to create a continuous 'milking' action. Once you've done one leg, move onto the other. Always repeat what you have done one side on the other side, before moving on to a different area.

After you've massaged your baby's legs, massage her feet. Hold your baby's foot in your hand and apply very gentle pressure to the top of the foot, stroking from the top all the way to the toes. Gently stroke each toe, before applying gentle pressure to the sole of your baby's foot. If your baby seems to find it ticklish and snatches her foot away, move on to a different area.

After you've massaged your baby's legs and feet, massage her tummy. Use gentle, circular motions in a clockwise direction over her tummy area. If your baby still has the umbilical stump attached, don't massage their tummy area as it may be sore.

Next massage your baby's arms and shoulders. Starting at one shoulder, move your hand down from your baby's shoulder to hand using the milking action from earlier.

Use circular motions over your baby's back and buttocks. You can also use your thumbs gently to make smaller circles over her skin.

Use your fingers to stroke over her forehead and down the sides of her face, over her cheeks and down to her chin. Use a finger to stroke from under her lip down her chin, holding her chin with your thumb as you do this.

Keep the order in which you massage your baby consistent every time you do it. Babies love routine and will get excited about what's coming next!


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This internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional.