Then do a heart-shaped movement - with all of your fingers on the chest, at the center of the breastbone, gently trace a heart, ending at her belly button. Now take your right hand and go back up, tracing a “moon” (a backwards “c”) up to the top of her chest then do the same with your left hand (a forward “c”). Moving Upīlau and Hogg suggest making a “sun- and-moon” motion by using both of your index fingers to trace a circle - the “sun” - that starts at the top of your baby’s chest and ends around her belly button. “Walk” your fingers from the stomach to the chest. Using both thumbs, gently massage from the belly button toward the outside. As you move your top hand toward the left, move your bottom hand toward the right, gently and softly massaging her skin and muscles, thereby increasing leg circulation. As you go up the leg, gently use what Blau and Hogg refer to as the “rope twist”: wrap your hands loosely around your baby’s legs. ![]() Massage the top of the foot towards the ankle, making small circles around the ankle. Gently stroke the sole of the foot, heel towards toe. One thumb should rub upward, taking turns with the other thumb, which moves in the same direction. Start with those irresistible baby feet! 4. The soothing sound of your voice will become a trigger for her relaxation. Make sure you continue talking to her throughout the massage, letting her know what to expect. Read: Why Newborns Wake at Night and 10 Things You Can Do About It 3. Wonder why newborns wake up at night so much? Put a teaspoon or two of oil in your hands and rub your palms together to warm it. Use this time to tell her what you plan on doing and how much you’re going to enjoy this special time with her. Begin by washing your hands and soothing your baby with a soft voice. Turn off the ringer and let the phone go to voicemail. Prepare Yourself for this Time with your Baby Your massage area should consist of a waterproof pad placed on top of a pillow, which is then covered by a soft bath towel. The temperature in the room should be about 75 degrees, with no drafts. Within a few weeks, you can work up to twenty minutes and often times, will have an eager, happy baby on your hands! 1. Build your baby’s tolerance to massage with a few movements lasting only two or three minutes at a time. ![]() Use a soothing soft voice when speaking to your baby and make sure you tell your baby before you touch her, ensuring her of what you plan on doing each step of the way. You can set up on the floor or a changing table. When getting ready give your infant massage, make sure everything you need is at your finger tips: a pillow a waterproof pad two fluffy bath towels baby oil, vegetable oil, or a specially formulated baby massage oil (make sure it is formulated just for babies as other oils can be too strong and irritating for young skin). Today, we often think of massage as a modern-day stress-reliever, but if we go back to the roots of massage, we can find many benefits to sharing this age-old tradition with our baby.Īrticle adapted from Melinda Blau and Tracy Hogg’s book, Secrets Of The Baby Whisperer. Wow – That was GREAT! Why shouldn’t we offer the same comfort to our babies? Massage has been around for thousands of years to aid in rest and relaxation. Have you ever had a massage? The lights are low, soft music gently floats through the air, your thoughts drift as you sink onto a decadently covered surface where you delve into relaxation and begin to part with all of your daily tensions. Giving your baby an infant massage can help baby relax and drift off to sleep. Infant Massage – Ten Steps to a More Peaceful Baby
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