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Step by step guide to infant massage

guide to infant massage

Massage helps in the overall growth of a baby and improves the blood circulation. The direction of the strokes used while massaging is of great importance. Hence, it is beneficial for you to know the basic techniques of baby massage.

Things to consider

Before starting a massage session with the baby, you should take care of the following points:

a. Remove diversion

In order to give complete attention to your baby, switch off the TV and preferably keep your mobile phone in silent mode. Be through with all your personal activities beforehand.

b. Environment

The place where you are going to carry out the session should be warm and comfortable. The base, on which you will lay her, should be soft to touch. The atmosphere should be relaxed and tranquil.

c. Perfect time for a massage

You should massage the baby only when she is awake and not crying. Avoid massaging her when she is ill or has just had her immunization.

d. Strokes

Your strokes should be light and should not tickle the baby. Maintain a firm gentleness so that your baby enjoys the massage session.

Goal of your massage

You should always massage every part of the baby’s body. If she has trouble with a particular part, then focusing on that area while massaging will certainly better her condition.

Tummy

Step 1

Stroke your baby’s tummy in a paddle wheel motion. Position your hand in such a way that your little finger forms the base of the motion. Do this action using both hands, starting from the base of the baby’s rib cage.

Step 2

Use your fingertips and gently rub them over your baby’s abdomen in a circular motion.

Step 3

Draw the letters ‘I L U’ in an inverted fashion on your baby’s belly. Start with the letter I. Draw it on the left side of the baby’s belly. Then for L, draw the base of the alphabet from the end of her ribs and stroke down. For U, start from right side down then work your way up around the navel in a semi-circular motion and bring it down the left side.

Step 4

Do a circular walking-motion with your index and middle finger around the navel of your baby.

Step 5

Bring together the legs and by holding her knees and feet push them lightly towards the abdomen. This will release any trapped gas in the baby’s belly. You can use another method for the same function by massaging your baby’s hips in a circular motion towards right.

Step 6

Put your hand horizontally on her belly and do a rocking motion with it.

Head and face

Step 1

Cup your baby’s head in your hands and massage randomly with your fingertips. Avoid massaging the top of her head.

Step 2

Massage gently the ears of the baby with your fingers, using the index and the middle finger.

Step 3

Using your hands, draw a heart shape. Start from forehead and bring your hands together at the chin.

Step 4

Softly stroke the baby’s eyebrows with your thumbs. Start from the middle and outward strokes.

Step 5

With your fingers, stroke the bridge of nose and work your way out towards the cheeks.

Step 6

Use your fingers and massage the baby’s jaws in a circular motion.

Chest

Step 1

Put your hands gently on the baby’s chest. Stroke her chest starting from the center towards the sternum (flat bone located at the center) and spread out towards the sides.

Step 2

Draw a heart shape with your hands. Start stroking from sternum, reach out towards the shoulders, and end it by bringing your hands together at the base.

Step 3

With your hands, stroke diagonally from right side of baby’s hips towards the opposite shoulder and bring back. Repeat it for the other side.

Arms

Step 1

Hold the baby’s wrist and gently tap her upper arm. This will relax her muscles.

Step 2

Take your baby’s wrist in your hand. With the other hand make a C-shape and stroke her arm from the shoulder towards the wrist.

Step 3

Hold your baby’s arm with both hands. Your hands should be on top of one another. Now, massage gently in opposite direction and work your way from the shoulder to the wrist.

Step 4

Stroke your baby’s palm using your thumbs. Hold one of her palm in your hands and using your thumb stroke gently from the base of the hand towards the fingers.

Step 5

With your fingers, stroke baby’s palm from the wrist to the finger tips. Hold one of the fingers in your hand, squeeze and pull gently. Repeat it with all the fingers.

Step 6

Massage the baby’s wrist in a circular motion using your fingers.

Step 7

Take either of the baby’s arms in your hands and gently roll it between your hands. Repeat the same for the other arm.

Back

Step 1

Lay the baby on a flat surface and gently massage starting from the back of her neck towards hips with both your hands, back and forth.

Step 2

Using your fingers, stroke her back in a circular motion. You should reach every portion of her back while doing this step.

Step 3

Hold your fingers in such a fashion that they are in shape of a rake and place them gently on the baby’s back. Now, stroke her from the back of the neck towards the bottom.

Legs

Step 1

Hold one of the baby’s legs, make a C-shape with your hand and stroke her leg back and forth, starting from her thigh. Repeat the procedure with the other leg.

Step 2

Gently roll one of her legs between your hands. Do the same with her other leg.

Step 3

Take her leg onto your lap and with both hands tap it from her thigh to her foot.

Essential precautions

1. Use massage oil recommended only for babies. Do not use aromatic oils.

2. Her powder, clothes and diapers should always be near you while giving a massage.

3. Do not wear jewelry while massaging the baby.

4. Trim your nails.

5. The massage session should not be long. Keep it regular, though.

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