Infant Massage Instructions
The benefits of learning how to massage your infant are many. Massage stimulates the nerves and increases blood flow. Parenthood.com states that massage can assist in constipation relief, help ease congestion and improve an infant's ability to suck. Also, according to Infant Massage USA, babies who receive massages prior to bedtime have improved sleep patterns, reduced stress and gain more weight. Massage also may assist mothers suffering from post-partum depression in bonding with their babies and fathers in developing a stronger parent-child bond.
Things You'll Need
- Hypo-allergenic baby lotion
- blanket
Instructions
Prepare for the Massage
Clean your hands and your baby. If you have dirt on your hands, you risk spreading germs that can make her sick. Bathe your baby prior to giving her a massage to help calm her. She should wear only a diaper for the massage. Lay her on a blanket in front of you. Dim the lights in the room. Babies relax better when the light is softer rather than in harsh light or complete darkness. Remove any jewelry you wear to lessen distractions. This includes rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. If your baby is distracted by dangling objects, it may be more difficult to get her to calm down. Apply baby lotion to your hands. Rub your hands together to warm the lotion. Don't apply lotion directly to your baby's body because its coolness may jolt your baby into a higher state of awareness. This will make it difficult to calm him down. Perform the Massage
Stroke your baby's chest diagonally, running your hand from chest to waist. Repeat this stroke on the other side, making an "X" on her chest. Don't press too hard, but don't stroke so lightly that it tickles her. Rub your baby's stomach, making circles around his navel. Do this for about one minute clockwise. Rubbing a baby's belly in this manner helps ease digestion. Rub your baby's chest with both hands across the chest as if smoothing out the pages of a book. Place your hands in the middle of her chest and push lightly to the sides. Then, bring your hands together in a heart-shaped motion to the center of her chest again. Massage your baby's face lightly with your thumb, beginning with the brow. Start at the center of the brow ridge and stroke outward, moving down toward the temple. Work your way down his face and stroke the cheeks from the nose to the ear. Knead the neck under the jawline and rub his ears. Take your baby's arm in both hands and rub in a downward motion, moving hands in opposite directions. When you reach the wrist, stroke her palm with your thumb. Take each finger between your forefinger and thumb and lightly stroke them from the palm to the tips. Repeat with the other arm. Move your hands to each of your baby's legs and rub downward toward the ankles. Use your thumb to add light pressure, working your way from the hips to the feet. When you reach the feet, apply slight pressure to the heel with your thumb. Turn over your baby and rub the palms of your hands across his back several times. Your hands should be moving in opposite directions. Finish the massage with a series of light-pressure strokes down the back, from the neck to the top of his diaper.
