Baby Massage

Everyone knows that massage helps you relax, and a lot of parents are aware of the benefi ts of baby massage for their babies.

Many Benefits Of Massage for Your Baby

• Stimulates circulation
• Stimulates myeline (nervous system)
• Stimulates immune system
• Benefits co-ordination
• Promotes good digestion
• Helps improve sleep patterns
• Stimulates lactaction so can help breastfeeding babies

But massaging your baby, and indeed continuing bringing positive touch into daily family life as your child grows older, benefi ts parents as well as kids. Massaging babies regularly actually allows parents the time and connection to really tune in with the many ways babies do communicate with us without being able to speak.

I have watched mothers who are very low emotionally a few weeks after birth develop so much in confi dence and self esteem by attending massage classes with their baby even after just 3 weeks. They learn to read their baby’s cues, and they are doing something positive yet so simple with their babies.

HOW YOUR BABY COMMUNICATES

There are now baby massage classes running in most towns in the UK. You can fi nd a baby massage instructor near to you by looking on www.GICM.org.uk (Guild of Infant Massage)or www.IAIM.org.uk (International Association of Infant Massage).

It is usually mothers who bring their babies to these classes but fathers are also welcome - studies have shown that fathers who massage their babies are rewarded by greater positive response from them. This improved early communication can have a profound effect on the future relationship between parent and child.

The Basics
What oil should I use?

• Use a pure, ideally organic massage oil, such as VitalTouch Natalia baby massage oil (organic sunfl ower and vitamin E) which is the closest match to your baby’s sebum (the natural oil secreted by their skin).
• Vegetable oil is full of nutrients and will be really easily absorbed by your baby’s skin, whereas mineral oil can clog pores and has no nutritive value.
• The most important smell in the early weeks is that of the mother or father so don’t use any essential oils at this stage.

When should we not massage?
Massage is very safe, but there are times when it would be uncomfortable for your baby to receive massage :

• The massage should ideally be between feeds, when your baby is not too full, nor hungry.
• Never massage against your baby’s will. If your baby starts to cry, stop the massage, pick them up and comfort them, then when your baby is relaxed and happy again, continue the massage where you left off, or wait until the next day.
• If your baby has a fever or seems unwell.
• Do not massage directly over skin that has sores, cuts, burns, inflammation or infectious rashes. If you are in any doubt, consult your GP or health visitor.

Before you begin
Are you relaxed? Shake the tension out of your arms and hands and take 3 deep breaths, letting go of tension with each out breath.

Understand that just 5 minutes of massage is a long time for a little baby. Build up the length of massage sessions gradually over time. Massage strokes should be slow, soothing and gentle.

After bath and before the last feed of the day is the ideal time as part of your regular routine – but massage your baby whenever they are in the mood for it – it should be fun.

Keep it fun! Both you and your baby should enjoy it. Introduce games and singing and try to keep eye contact as much as possible. You can play music if you like, but your baby will enjoy the sound of your voice just as much.

Baby Massage is simple and intuitive. But to help you on your way, a simple step by step guide is available from www.vitaltouch.com for £1.00 plus p&p.

As your baby grows you can still massage them and if you have kept it lively and enjoyable this will help. They will start to ask for massage when they are old enough and, for example, a foot massage at bedtime can help any child settle and feel good in themselves before they drop off to sleep.

I believe that positive touch can set the blue print for family life later on. And it is never too late to start.

Katie Whitehouse is an experienced baby massage instructor and bodyworker, also founder of Vital Touch, based near Buckfastleigh.
Tel: 0845 0525345 or email katie@vitaltouch.com.