Baby Massage
Introduction
The benefits of baby massage are enormous. Not only does
it enable the mother or care giver precious time in which they
can bond with their baby, but it also aids muscle
development and relaxation. In the West, the realisation of
the benefits of baby massage have only really become
apparent during the last thirty years.
In other parts of the world, in countries such as Asia and
Africa, baby massage has been carried out for many
centuries as each subsequent generation has passed on the
therapeutic benefits and effects of baby massage from one
generation to the next.
This realisation in the West has meant that these days, baby
massage is available in hospitals and clinics under the NHS
(National Health Service) in the UK.
To a baby, touch is talk. Through massaging their baby
parents and caregivers can gain more confidence in
handling them and relating to them, by watching and
interpreting their baby’s reaction to touch.
They find out what their baby likes and dislikes and this can
only help a parent understand their baby better. Further, this
helps in developing a positive relationship between baby and
parents.
Massage has also been known to strengthen babies’
muscles and joints and help to relieve the symptoms of
some ailments that are common in the early years of life.
Studies carried out across various cross cultures have
shown that babies who have more body contact, that is by
being carried, breastfed, massaged and gently handled,
develop as adults who show empathy, compassion and
cooperation with others.
The Benefits of Baby Massage to the Parent
BONDING
Baby massage provides mother and baby with the
opportunity of increased eye contact
• Results in increased prolactin levels (prolactin is a
hormone needed to produce breast milk, also known as
the "mothering" hormone)
• Gives you the feeling of “falling in love" with your baby
• where there have been cases of abuse and neglect,
baby massage has produced some positive results
DEVELOPING SENSITIVITY
When massaging your baby, you must be vigilant for signs of
your baby’s reaction to your touch and particularly the
pressure you apply. Babies are unable to tell you whether
you are massaging them too hard!
In reading your baby’s body language and interpreting her
reaction, you are acquiring some key parenting skills.
In fact, research studies have shown that mothers who had
lots of early contact with their children could choose their 3 -
8 year old children's pyjamas from a pile of others that were
identical!
STRESS RELIEF
Massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress
hormone.
• Parents benefit greatly from giving massages to their
children and studies have shown that those who carry
out massage on a regular interval benefit from reduced
stress levels.
• Especially for working mums and dads, being able to
give your baby a massage as soon as you return home
from work, provides valuable quality time with your little
one – and in doing so helps you to relax and
“reconnect” with them.
The Benefits of Baby Massage to the Baby
STIMULATION
One of the earliest developed functions is skin sensitivity
• In studies carried out, research has illustrated that
those animals that are touched more or stroked tend to
be healthier in weight, more alert and bright-eyed and
are more good natured than other animals
• Massage is so therapeutic, it has been shown to
improve the stability of the nervous system and
resistance to disease
• Regularly massaged infants and babies tend to be
more friendly and alert once they are awake
• Similarly, these babies and/or toddlers tend to be quite
chatterboxes and make more attempts at conversation
than babies who have not been massaged
• Massaged babies tend to be more receptive to hugs
and cuddles as they grow older.
RELAXATION
After baby massage you will find that your baby will usually
have a brilliant night’s sleep (which often means that so can
you!)
• Massaging babies can help them to get rid of their pent
up frustration and tension
• It can aid in practicing handling input and responding to
it with relaxation
• Gives babies/toddlers a positive self-image of their
bodies
• Provides youngsters with a good set of relaxation
techniques that may aid them in later years
GENERAL WELL BEING
The close loving contact that baby massage provides, helps
babies such that they succumb to illness a lot less and are
not so prone to crying as babies who are not massaged.
• The act of massaging aids in improving the circulatory
process as well in providing a boost for the immune
system by helping to move the lymph around.
• It has been shown that massage can aid in providing
colic relief and other problems related to digestion (it
helps shift the gas and faecal material)
• Its therapeutic benefits are such that it can aid in
relieving the pain of teething, emotional stress and
• Massage can act as a pain killer in that the act of
massaging result n producing endorphins.
PHYSICAL GROWTH
Massage promotes physical self-awareness, tones muscle
and makes joints more flexible. In this way it is especially
beneficial to premature babies, those with low birth weight
and children with special needs.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Touching teaches a baby about communication.
Massage helps to establish a non-verbal communication with
babies that enhances a parent’s early relationship with their
child, and therefore helps builds the baby’s self-esteem and
sociability.
In a study, conducted by the Touch Research Institute of the
University Of Miami School Of Medicine, massaged babies
gained 47 percent more weight than unmassaged babies
given the same number of calories.
Premature Infants who are regularly massaged are
hospitalized an average of six fewer days than non-
massaged babies. This is why massage is now used in
many special care nurseries.
Preparing To Massage
When to start?
Baby massage can be started as early as the day a baby is
born. However, special care must be taken to avoid
touching the navel area until the umbilical cord stump has
fallen off. This normally happens from between four to seven
days after delivery.
Research has shown that premature babies receive
tremendous benefits from baby massage.
When premature babies receive routine care in hospital their
pulse rates increase and their oxygen levels decrease,
indicating distress. However, when they are massaged, the
opposite occurs: their pulse rates come down and their
oxygen levels rise. This would indicate that premature
babies find massage calming and soothing.
What environment is needed for the massage?
A warm room. The room must be warm enough to keep
your baby comfortable (26 C) is the ideal room temperature.
Babies lose heat quickly when uncovered and oil tends to
reduce body heat as well.
A quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Do not have the
television on or other people in the room causing
interruption. Both parent and baby will enjoy the massage
and tune into each other more effectively if there is nothing
around to cause distraction.
What time of the day is best for baby’s massage?
The best time to massage a baby is when he is awake and
feeling happy. Most people prefer to massage babies after a
bath or before one. It is important the parent is also calm
and relaxed otherwise the baby will absorb the tension and
anxiety and be affected by the parent’s mood.
Also, it is advised not to carry out a massage immediately
after a feed. Leave at least an hour between the baby being
fed and being massaged, otherwise this may induce
vomiting.
Do not leave the massage until just before the baby’s next
feed as the baby may become distressed and unsettled
during the massage if he is feeling hungry.
How long should a massage take?
Usually a massage can take about 20 to 30 minutes. A baby
is not very big and so it is possible to do a complete
massage in that time.
However, in the beginning, it will probably take a bit longer
as parents new to massage will need to learn and get used
to the different techniques.
A good way of learning for the parents to enrol themselves
and the baby into baby massage classes.
In many cases hospitals or local clinics may have classes
available or be able to recommend suitable points of contact.
Being part of an interactive class where the tutor can show
how to perform the movements, and then to be able to
perform those very movements on a baby is an excellent
way for parents to learn.
Failing that, there are many excellent books on baby
massage; the ones with pictures are easiest to follow
through.
There are also many excellent DVDs and videos which take
you through the entire massage process step by step. As
with anything, parents can use these tools to learn the
techniques but after a few weeks, the whole massage
process should become second nature.
How often should a baby be massaged?
If possible, baby massage should be incorporated into a
baby’s daily routine. Even a 15 minute massage session will
prove beneficial to both mother and baby. However, if this is
not possible, even massaging a baby three times a week will
still have positive results.
What oils should be used?
The basis of massage is skin to skin contact. Therefore
parents should massage their babies once all the baby’s
clothes have been removed. Oil will helps the hands move
over the baby’s body smoothly, and allows long, continuous
strokes to be made without causing friction.
Natural oils, such as almond oil, grape-seed oil or extra
virgin olive oil, are excellent to use as these are easily
absorbed by the skin.
Massage pressure
The ideal pressure to use on a baby is similar to that
obtained when closing your eyes and pressing the eyelids
without any discomfort.
In the small areas fingertips should be used. In bigger
areas, such as the babies back and chest, the palms of the
hand should be used.
Points to note
• Babies become very slippery when oiled so be very
careful when picking them up after the massage.
• If a child is believed to have a nut allergy, use oil which
is free of nut products.
• Do not use essential oils (aromatherapy oils) on babies
unless directed by a trained aromatherapist.
• Do not massage a baby if he has a temperature.
A Step By Step Description of Massage Techniques
As mentioned before, the best way to learn baby massage is
to take classes or from copying the techniques illustrated in
books. The following excerpt was taken from
www.makewayforbaby.com with their permission.
Preparation
Choose a moment in which you and your
child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after
the baby has eaten is recommended.
Be sure that the room temperature is warm
(78 degrees Fahrenheit). Undress the baby
completely, if the weather is cold or humid
cover the areas of the baby's body that are
not being massaged.
Put the baby on a soft surface so your baby
will feel comfortable and secure. Keep some
little pillows handy.
Basically the massage flows from the head to
the toes. With soft and gentle touches you
will work on the head, face, shoulders, arms,
chest, stomach and legs.
While you massage your baby look tenderly
at him/her. Doing this you stimulate all the
senses of the baby and establish a more
intense visual and tactile communication.
Feel free to speak to your baby, do not inhibit
yourself.
Remember that your touches should be
tender do not make mechanic motions. Try to
be flexible by not keeping a rigid routine.
If the baby wants to change position let them
do so. Do not force your baby to keep a
position; you can go back to these areas
later on.
Technique
Pressure to use:
Close your eyes and press your eyelids. The
pressure you should use is the same as
pressing your eyelids without any discomfort.
In the small areas use your fingertips. In
bigger areas use the palm of your hand.
"Little strokes" mean to touch your baby's
skin gently and "massage" is to softly move
the muscles under the skin.
Step by Step Description
The head:
Touch the forehead,
temples and the base of the
cranium
Eyebrows and eyelids
Nose
Cheeks
The area around the mouth
Ears and surrounding area
Jaws:
The frontal part of the neck
(Remember doing this very
gently)
Make small strokes and
massage the posterior part
of the neck with slow
movements down to the
shoulders.
Softly put both hands on
his/her shoulders. Caress
the baby from the neck to
the shoulders in the
direction of his chest.
Shoulders and arms:
Form a ring with your
fingers and thumb around
your child's arm. Begin to
caress around the armpit
and then go down along the
arm. Be very careful when
you arrive at the elbow, it is
a very sensitive region. In
the wrist you can gently
practice turning motions
using. Remember to take
great care with all these
motions.
Stomach:
Massage the stomach in a
circular way (the genitalia
area is excluded from the
massage). Caress the
abdomen moving your
hands clockwise beginning
below the ribs.
Legs:
Caress each leg with your
whole hand, press gently on
the thighs. Slightly flex the
legs and knees pressing the
thighs gently against the
body.
Heels and feet:
A foot massage is very
relaxing. Begin by putting a
soft pressure on each toe,
then the foot and return to
the toes again. Sometimes
a foot massage can help
reduce stomach pain.
Caress gently all the toes.
Apply circular movements at
the heels.
Back:
Turn your baby around.
Begin with large and slow
movements that include
head, neck, back and legs
always in one direction.
Give your baby soft strokes
on the shoulders and back
and massaging with your
fingertips with circular
movements. Do not
massage the spinal cord,
only put your hands over it
and let the baby feel the
warm sensation. You can
even make small circular
movements on your baby's
back.
Put your hands at the top of
the legs and begin gently
caressing while working
your way down towards the
foot.
When you arrive to the feet
start again from the top.
With soft and slow
movements finish the
massage starting once
again at the head and back
to the toes.
Research and More information about Infant Massage
Links
• www.infantmassage.com
More information about babies and touch.
• www.miami.edu/touch-research/home.html
The Touch Research Institute. For people who want to
see the research. Click on their "research" buttons to
see: "Sleep problems in Infants decrease following
massage therapy" AND "Weight gain increases in pre-
term infants."