Your Ideal Guide To Infant Massage: Benefits And More!

It’s said that there’s nothing more precious in the world than a mother's touch! Well, it’s certainly true, particularly in the case of babies. Rather, they crave much more than just a touch. The little joy of your life loves a soothing massage (just like you). But have you ever wondered what are the benefits of infant massage? Well, we’ve got the answers for you! Keep on reading to learn more about the primary benefits of infant massage and how you can massage your little one in the comfort of your own home.

What Is Infant Massage and What Are the Benefits?

Infant massage is a soothing therapy that involves gently touching and stroking your baby in a way that communicates your love and care. It is a relaxing process that is usually carried out by professionally trained and certified infant massage therapists. But this therapy calls for bonding with your little one. So, eventually, it's the mother or the father who become the ideal people to give his/her baby a soothing massage.

There are many benefits of massaging your baby which includes the following:

● Bonding The prime benefit of baby massage is that it helps in fostering a stronger bond through skin-to-skin interaction with your baby. As your little one is new in the world, he needs reassurance of someone special being there for him. This act of massaging helps in strengthening this cause. ● Helps In Relaxing It helps in calming your little one and relaxing him. In turn, it also helps him in attaining a night of sound sleep.

● Reduction In Stress Hormones As mentioned earlier, a gentle massage relaxes your baby. This has a positive effect on your baby’s stress levels.

● Reduces Crying You might have noticed that when you put a baby down, they immediately start crying. But as soon as you hold them in your arms, they feel comfortable and happy. That’s exactly what massages do. During the massage, as a mother loads her baby with lots of love and care, it keeps him away from being fussy and from crying.

● Aids Growth In Premature Babies Massages help in stimulating growth and development in premature babies. But there is very little evidence that states this benefit out loud.

● Other Health Benefits As per the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), baby massage can stimulate the circulatory and digestive system. Overall, it may help relieve conditions like cramps, constipation, gas, colic, etc.

How Do You Massage Your Baby?

With just a little bit of prep and some basic massage techniques, you are all set to start massaging your little one. Follow these five easy steps:

Step 1: Pick your location Find a warm, calming environment, like a quiet room or a shady spot outdoors on a nice day. The massage can take place on the floor or the ground, on a bed, or on the changing table. But be sure not to leave your baby unattended on a high surface, as he could roll and fall. Always keep a hand on him during the massage.

Step 2: Get your baby ready You might consider massaging your baby after a bath as being bathed may help calm him in advance. Gather your oil if you're planning on using it. Once you’re ready to begin, place your baby on a blanket or towel. Remove his clothes except for his diaper, and softly tell him it’s time for a massage.

Step 3: Pay attention to your touch Start by massaging your little one with gentle strokes on each part of his body, including his head, neck, upper back, shoulders, hands, waist, thighs, and feet. As he gets older and more accustomed to the routine, you can gradually increase the pressure or firmness of your touch. Avoid tickling or irritating your baby but do whatever makes him happy. You could try some of the following massage variations:

○ Stroke your baby with open palms

○ Stroke him with your fingers or thumbs

○ Rake him with your fingertips

○ Tap him lightly with your fingertips

○ Use a wringing motion to massage his arms and legs.

Step 4. Move from top to toe Begin by placing him on his stomach and gently rubbing him from his head down to his hands and feet. If you’re using massage oil, don’t overdo it as your baby can get very slippery. Once you’ve turned him onto his back, extend and flex each of his arms and legs separately and then simultaneously. Then, you can repeat the massage again from top to bottom. Avoid your baby’s abdomen if he’s recently eaten. Otherwise, you can try the “I love you” abdomen massage, by stroking the letters I, L, and U across his abdomen.

Step 5: Be calm and communicative Throughout your baby’s massage, you’ll want to stay connected to your baby by quietly talking to him, narrating the massage, or by singing a song or telling a story. The way he responds will clue you into whether he is enjoying the massage or not. If he flaps his arms and seems happy, then you’re onto something. If he turns away from you, fidgets, and seems unhappy, then it’s time to stop. You can always try again another time.

If you still feel hesitant about starting infant massage, look for a book on the subject at your local library, watch some videos online, or reach out to your child’s healthcare provider for guidance. There may even be classes on infant massage at your local medical centre or a massage specialist you could consult for more information.

If your baby has any special medical issues, be sure to check with his healthcare provider before beginning massage.

When and How Often Should You Massage Your Baby?

You can start massaging your baby as early as you like. Just be sure to be extra gentle with newborns.

Here are some tips on choosing the right times to massage your baby:

• Wait 45 minutes or longer after a feeding. Starting too soon after she's eaten could cause your baby to vomit.

• Pay attention to your baby’s moods. If she seems calm and looks at you with a steady gaze, she’s probably good to go. If she seems fussy, turns her head away from you, or stiffens up when you pick her up, it might be best to skip the massage for now.

• Choose a time that’s good for both of you. It’s really up to you and your baby when and how often you do this activity together. You may decide to massage your baby in the evening, for example, as part of her bedtime routine. It could serve as a soothing ritual to calm her before sleep.

What Can You Use for Baby Massage?

This is a personal preference. You may like to use an oil (that you may already have on hand for your baby’s skincare) during your baby’s massage to help reduce any friction created between your hands and your baby’s delicate skin. Some experts recommend vegetable oil, which won't be absorbed as quickly as standard baby oil. Or, you may decide using oil is just too messy.

If you do decide to use oil, choose one that is free of harsh chemicals and fragrances, and one that's edible, in case it gets into your little one’s mouth.

Before using the oil for the first time, you’ll want to test it to gauge the reaction on your baby’s skin. Do this by applying a tiny bit to an area of his skin and wait to see if there’s a reaction. If there is, stop using the oil and consider trying another type of baby oil or skipping it altogether.

The Bottom Line

Massaging your baby is a great way to soothe her and bond with her. You might find that you enjoy this time together just as much as she does! Choose a time when she’s in a good mood, and, who knows, it could turn into a routine that your little one comes to love and expect.

In between your baby’s massage sessions, you’ll probably be changing lots of diapers. Why not make it a bit more rewarding? Download the Pampers Club app, scan all your diapers and wipes purchases, and earn rewards points. Then simply redeem the points for cool rewards like gift cards or cashback.