Baby Massage: Everything you need to know.
Welcoming a new baby into the world is a magical yet overwhelming time. Among all the cuddles, feeds and nappy changes many parents start to wonder how they can help their baby to feel calm, comforted and secure and how to begin building that beautiful bond from the very beginning.
One gentle, nurturing way to do this is through baby massage. But a common question I hear from new parents is “When can I actually start massaging my baby?” The good news is it’s probably sooner than you think!
In this blog, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about when to begin baby massage, how to tell if your baby is ready, and how to get started with confidence and care.
If you want to learn how to massage your baby, check out my online courses Baby Massage Online.
When to start massaging your baby.
Baby massage with Baby & Me Wellbeing is suitable from birth. It is important to note that newborn babies are only likely to tolerate a few minutes of massage at a time before they find it to much. It is important to always let your baby lead the way and if they become unsettled or cry it is important to listen to these cues and stop. You want this to be something you do together, not something you do to them. Ideal areas to use massage on a newborn include the legs and feet (just be sure there is no bruising from heel prick tests or blood tests before massaging their tiny feet) there are lots of reflexology points on the feet so it can be a good way to treat their whole body from this one body part! The back of their hands and their forehead are all lovely and soothing areas they enjoy massage to in the early days.
What is the best time of day to massage your baby?
Many parents think that for massage to be effective it should be done around bath and bedtime at the end of the day. Quite often babies are already tired and overstimulated and as a result massage can often feel rushed or stressful. The best time of the day to massage your baby is when they are awake, happy, not hungry or to full…I know these is a tricky time to find but there are often small windows of opportunity in the early days and these windows become longer as baby gets older! The time that is best for your baby may change daily but if you manage to time it right it will be such a beautiful experience for you both and you will fall in love with massage together and the incredible benefits it has for both you and your baby. It is also worth knowing that you should avoid massaging your baby for 48 hours following any vaccinations and if they are unwell as this will make them feel worse and they are unlikely to enjoy their massage.
What do I need to massage my baby?
The beauty of baby massage is that you actually need very little to get started. I love a stripped back baby massage set up to help reduce distractions and to really allow you and your baby to connect on a deeper level through positive touch and eye contact. The basics you will need include: a mat or towel for baby to lie on, a blanket or towel to keep baby warm and some natural baby oil to use on their delicate skin. Now if you want to add more to your massage sessions together you can consider using soft music in the background, sensory lighting on the ceiling and diffusing baby safe essential oils such as lavender or chamomile. However, all of these extras add more layers of stimulation for the senses which can sometimes overwhelm new babies quickly. I always recommend keeping it simple and adding a bit at a time as baby gets older when they are used to the massage strokes and need more things to hold their interest but you may be surprised at how massage, eye contact and talking or singing to your baby can be incredibly calming, relaxing and engaging for your little one. They love this special time with you.
How do I know if my baby is enjoying their massage?
You will be able to tell if you baby is enjoying their massage but the subtle (or not so subtle!) cues they are giving you. Key signs that your baby is enjoying their massage include eye contact (this may come and go depending on how stimulated they are feeling), babbling or cooing noises, relaxed body language, sucking their hands and smiling (if they have met this milestone). Key signs your baby is not comfortable or enjoying their massage will include fidgeting, pulling knees and arms in towards their body, no eye contact, yawning and crying. If your baby is not enjoying the massage stop what you are doing, pick baby up for a cuddle and plenty or reassurance and come back to try it again later. They may only enjoy a couple of minutes to start with but with regular practice this can be built up to around 20 minutes as their enjoyment for massage grows.
How can I learn more about how to use baby massage safely?
If you are interested in learning how to massage you baby safely to support their wellbeing, relaxation and development come and join me on my Baby Massage Online course for parents and their babies. This is designed as a 5 week self-study course to use with your baby. You will learn how to massage your little one from top to toe as well as learning some special bonus routines for common ailments such as colic, wind, teething, colds and congestion. If you want to learn the content quicker than the recommended 5 weeks you can work through the massage strokes at a pace more suitable for you and your baby.
My recommended schedule is as follows:
Week 1: Leg and foot massage
Week 2: Tummy massage
Week 3: Chest, arm and hand massage
Week 4: Facial massage
Week 5: Back massage.
Each session recaps the previous massage strokes and adds on the new techniques to help you feel confident with using massage with your little one. If your baby isn’t keen on certain strokes of parts of the body being massaged you can skip these and try again another time.
So, if you are ready to make baby massage an essential part of your daily routine and fall in love with this beautiful skill come and join me!
I’ll see you on the inside!
Get started with baby massage today.
