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Hi everybody! I have been MIA (missing in action) for a while! Still holidaying haha... Wanted to write something about baby masage...Anyone out there does that? I have been giving my boy massage since the day he came into this world. I think it is a wonderful thing. Even
though he is already two, I still love giving him 'baby' massages after his bath and before he drifts off into dreamland...
Why massage your baby? The purpose, of course, isn't to loosen up stiff joints or ease knotted muscles. Rather, it is simply to give baby extended physical contact, to bond with baby and to stimulate their skin and nerve endings. Research has shown that benefits of massage for babies, especially premature babies, are multi-faceted.
Massaged babies :
- Gain weight more quickly, compared to unmassaged babies. My boy was born only 2.88kg but he gained weight tremendously and caught up with babies at the same age who were born heavier than he was. Of course, genes play a part as well but I want to believe that my hard work paid off.
- Have lower levels of "stress hormones" cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
- Have increased level of serotonin, the "happiness hormone".
- Fall asleep more quickly and easily.
- Do better on developmental tests and interaction assessments.
- Cry less and feel more secure.
- Become more alert and have more motor activity (especially for premature babies).
- Have greater "alert time" in which the baby is awake and quiet but alert - it is thought that infants learn best in this mode.
- Have increased activity in the vagus, the part of the brain related to attentiveness.
Massage can help with gastrointestinal problems, a common cause of colic and persistent crying, and with asthma as the baby is less anxious. It is also a good way for fathers to get in on the act and build a bond with the baby, since they don't have those natural hours of closeness that a breastfeeding mother daily enjoys.
How to massage :
- Put baby on his back on a warm soft towel. Close all doors and windows to disallow any draft. Make sure the environment is cosy and comfortable.
- Pour a little oil into your palm and warm it by rubbing your hands together. Smooth the oil on your baby's body from shoulder to feet, avoiding the face and eyes.
- Start by gently massaging just below the breastbone and between the ribs.
- Move onto his abdomen, moving hands gently in continuous circular strokes.
- Stroke his entire arm, from shoulder to wrist, rubbing and rotating your thumb on each of his fingers gently.
- For the legs, gently knead the fleshy parts such as the calf, knee and thigh . Stroke the top and sole of his feet, massaging the areas such as the heel and ball of the feet. Remember to gently rotate your thumb on every toe and rub between his toes.
- Turn baby over and stroke his back and shoulders and buttocks. Gently rotate your knuckles on his buttocks.
- Finish off by using downward feather strokes all along his spine, from neck to buttocks.
What to use :
There are many types of massage oils out in the market. I usually use Aromababy's Newborn Massage oil with Jojoba oil. The chemical structure of jojoba oil is closet to our skin's. Another one is Sweet Almond oil. I would discourage using Baby oil or mineral oil as these have the potential to clog skin pores. Certain aromatherapy oil blends or scents are not advisable to use on babies so always check with your local aromatherapist if you are planning to use those. Do not use essential oils on babies which are one year old and below.
Important note :
Do not massage a baby if he is running a fever or suffers from an unusual heart condition or blood pressure problem. Do not massage over broken skin. Remember to take your time and always be gentle with baby. Turn on some soothing music. It is important that the parent be as calm and relaxed and unhurried as possible. If the massage is making your baby fretful, stop and try again another time. The point is to soothe and calm her down.
Baby massage is indeed an enjoyment for both baby and child! It is a wonderful activity to do before your kid start to refuse to stay still anymore! =)
Related links :
http://www.infantmassage.org.au/main.htm
Adapted and used with permission from 'Pregnancy & Babycare Guide' 
(November 2007) (
