Massage Techniques

Baby massage is a wonderful way to make your little one feel loved, nurtured and cared for. The positive benefits highlighted by medical research include: increased weight gain; improved behavioural development; enhanced sleep patterns and easing symptoms of colic. But just as important is parent-child bonding. Baby massage offers a time for parent and baby to relax and unwind.

The amount of time you devote to baby massage will vary from baby to baby and there are no rules with massage so either follow our guide or feel free to make up your own baby massage.

Reading your baby’s cues…..

To begin, make sure your baby is in the mood for a massage. It is important that baby is not too tired, hungry or over-stimulated before the massage begins. Make sure your baby is warm. If necessary cover the areas of the body you aren’t working on with a blanket or towel, or heat the room. A perfect time is straight after a warm bath when your baby is already undressed.

Learn to read your baby’s subtle cues, including whether you should continue with that area of the body or move on. Then using firm but gentle and slow strokes it is usually good to start at the legs and work your way up. To begin warm the Binda Baby Essentials Baby Massage Oil in your hands.

Start with your baby’s legs…..

Nurse the foot with one hand and gently “milk” the leg from ankle to thigh with the other. Next, holding the foot with both hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from foot to thigh. To finish, stroke from foot to the top of the thigh. Repeat all techniques on the other side.

Some babies only like their feet or legs to begin with and this is ok.

Next, move onto the tummy…..

Using both hands, palms flat, in a hand-over-hand clockwise circular motion, from left to right. To relieve a bloated stomach, using your fingertips ‘walk’ in a clockwise circular motion around the belly. ‘Bicycling’ the legs after this massage can also relieve pain. Always stop if a child becomes distressed or uncomfortable.

To massage the chest.....

Glide both hands outwards from the centre of the ribcage up to the shoulders and back again.

For the arms and hands…..

Use the same technique for your baby’s arms and hands as used for the legs and feet.

Gently turn your baby onto his/her tummy for the back massage.

With your finger tips, gently massage little circles all over the back. Lastly, use the waterfall stroke, which is palm of hand over hand moving from neck to feet continuously and slowly.

At the end of this beautiful massage, it is lovely to give your baby a cuddle and a feed. Giving a massage before bed is a great part of your bedtime routine, helping your baby to relax and settle for bed.