Infant massage is a wonderful way to improve your baby’s circulation and relaxation. It is also a great opportunity for you to develop a true closeness with your child.
In the womb, your baby is constantly supported. Movement is always present, whether it is your exercise routine, or just the gentle breathing as you sleep.
Don’t be afraid to touch your child. To rub the back, arms, legs, neck and face. Infant massage may begin as early as one month of age, when the umbilical cord is completely fallen off and healed.
Massage can release tension that builds up in the muscles. This tension is relatively easily released in the infant. Without release of this tension a person can be seriously crippled in ways that do not show themselves easily to the outside world. Give your baby a good healthy start; feed the need for touch.
Begin by placing your baby naked on your legs, so his feet are near your belly and you are looking into those eyes. You may want to place baby on a thick towel, as baby may empty his bladder when completely relaxed.
Place a small amount of oil on your hands. Begin massage at the chest, working outward in slow methodical movements using very little pressure at first. Talk to your child and speak gently with your eyes and voice. Stroke across the chest, then down toward the abdomen.
Massage the arms next, turning your baby on his side. Gently move the arm upward. Hold the wrist gently in one hand, while moving up the arm from the shoulder with the other hand. Rotate the arm and rub the shoulder. Repeat with the other arm. Rub the wrists and palms of each hand. Massage the fingers, gently unfolding each one.
Next massage the abdomen. Start at the base of the chest moving toward you, as if to empty the stomach.
Massage the legs in a similar manner as the arms, rotating them. Cuff the ankle with your hand, raising it upward; message up toward your hand, holding the ankle. End with the foot, first massaging with your thumbs, then with the palms of your hands.
Now turn your baby over to massage the back; place baby across your legs and place baby’s head to your left. First, stroke across the back; kneading the muscle in opposite directions with each hand, one pushing and one pulling simultaneously. Work up and down your baby’s back in this manner from the shoulders to the buttocks.
Now move your hands down along the length of the spine. Once again, work slowly, applying even constant pressure. Place your right hand on your baby’s bottom, while moving your left hand down toward the right hand. Now move your right hand down to gently grasp baby’s ankles, slightly raising the legs. Continue messaging the back, except now instead of stopping at the buttocks, extend the motion to the heels.
Now for that precious little face, turn your baby over so his feet are at your belly and your looking into his eyes. Begin in the middle of the forehead, stroking outward along the eyebrows. Repeat this motion several times. Then move to the bridge of the nose. Move lightly along the sides of the nose toward the forehead. Now move your thumbs down from the closed eyelids along the nose toward the corners of the mouth and back up again.
Your baby may have fallen asleep. As a final stretch, place both of your baby’s arms across his chest, then open again. Cross the babies legs into the Lotus position, then open again.
The message is now complete. What a wonderful connecting time for you and your child. Work with your baby, each child is unique and it may take a few sessions before your child relaxes completely. You will also gain skill as you gain experience. After a message is a great time for a bath or to go right to sleep.
Enjoy the time you spend performing infant message, it is so precious to both you and your baby!
Tags: infant massage, movements, release tension
