Baby Massage 101: How to massage baby the right way

Hey there, lovely moms! Touch isn’t just a mere physical connection, it’s the language of love and bonding. Just as we adults crave a soothing massage after a long day, our little munchkins can benefit from those gentle hands too.

In the world of babies, baby massage is more than just a routine it’s their comfort.

When you give your baby a baby massage, you can have fun and bond with each other. In the beginning, when babies can’t speak, we use touch to communicate with them and comfort them. A parent, for example, will hold, cuddle, or stroke their child when they cry.

Baby massage is a natural part of this desire. Try massage before going to bed and after taking a bath to get the most out of it. If you do this, your child will get a good night’s sleep. By massaging your baby, you can help him sleep through the night, strengthen his immune system, and reduce stress.

When to start oil massage for a newborn baby

We all know that for newborn babies, touch is the first sense they develop. Even when they grow old, gentle and soft strokes can calm and relax them.

The same goes for baby massages. Massaging a baby helps them to relax and have a good night’s sleep.

Unless the baby is premature or it isn’t medically advised, babies need body massage right after birth.

*Our blog posts contain affiliate links. These don’t cost you anything extra, but they allow us to continue running this site and providing free content for our readers. Please read my full disclosure here.

You can start massaging your baby after the first few weeks of birth. However, it also depends on your baby’s mood. The baby should be calm and alert when you are about to give them a message.

Never perform any massage technique that makes your baby uncomfortable. You must also be really careful with the umbilical cord during the first few days of birth.

So, when is the best time to massage your baby? Here’s the thing: babies don’t own watches, but they sure have their rhythms!

Post Nap Time: A massage can be a beautiful transition from naptime to active play.
Before Bath: Warm them up, and prepare them for a bath with gentle massage strokes.
Bedtime Routine: A calming massage before sleep? It’s like a lullaby for their senses.

What are the benefits of baby body massage for your newborn?

Studies include that massage can enhance the health of babies. Baby massage has a lot of therapeutic benefits for babies, both on a physical and emotional level, and it can help them.

Here are some benefits of baby body massaging an infant:

The feeling of warmth and security: When you touch your baby, this contact time of a mother and baby during the initial days helps the baby to feel safe and secure. When you breastfeed your baby or do a massage it creates a strong bond, helps them to cry less, and regulates their breath.

Improves blood circulation and digestion: Massaging helps improve the blood circulation of your baby. During a young age, the blood flow is slow, and massaging helps better blood flow and promotes in baby’s growth.

The vagus nerve that connects the brain with the stomach is really important for digestion. Baby massaging helps stimulate it, improving digestion and relief for baby colic to calm a fussy baby.

Soothes and relaxes the baby: How do you feel after a massage? Good, right? Babies feel the same.

Parent-Baby Connection: This isn’t just about the technique, but the precious moments of intimacy it fosters.

Looking for ways to help your baby sleep? Many people have sworn by Sweet Dreamers baby sleep collection to assist parents worldwide in getting their infants to sleep soundly at night.

When should I start massaging my baby?

You can actually start massaging your baby right from day one, as long as the doctors give you the green light. The sooner you start, the quicker both of you can enjoy the awesome perks of a good massage.

Starting within the first three months is a great idea, especially since that’s when your baby is rapidly growing and learning new things. Remember, when massaging an infant, it’s all about gentle, soft touches. It’s less about technique and more about making your little one cozy and familiar with the loving feel of your hands.

Is it OK for the baby to cry during the massage?

Crying is one of the primary ways babies communicate, especially in the early months. If your baby cries during a massage, it could be due to several reasons:

Discomfort or Pain: If you’re applying too much pressure or if there’s an unseen issue like a rash or sore spot, the baby might cry due to discomfort. Always ensure your touch is gentle.
Not in the Mood: Just like adults, babies have moods too. They might not be in the mood for a massage, or they might be tired, hungry, or need a diaper change.
Overstimulation: Too much sensory input can be overwhelming for a baby. If they’ve had a lot of playtime or interaction, they might need some quiet time rather than a massage.
New to Massage: If it’s one of the first times you’re massaging your baby, they might not be used to the sensation yet. Over time and with consistency, they may grow to enjoy it.

If your baby cries during a massage, it’s essential to pause and address their immediate needs. Check for signs of discomfort or other needs, and try again later when they’re in a calmer state.

What happens if you don’t massage a newborn?

If you don’t massage a newborn, the baby will still grow and develop normally but might miss out on the potential benefits that touch therapy can offer.

Massage can aid in relaxation, improve sleep patterns, and enhance parent-infant bonding. However, it’s just one of many ways to nurture and bond with your baby.

Do babies need a massage every day?

Some people give their babies massage daily, and some people weekly. I think it is more based on personal preference.

Consider massaging your baby in the morning to kickstart the day or in the evening before bedtime to aid in calming them down for sleep. Always observe your baby’s signals to establish the most fitting massage schedule.

Things to do when giving a massage to a newborn baby with oil

Here are a few things you can do before and during massaging your baby with oil:

1. Choose a Cozy Place for Massaging Your Baby

The best place to massage the baby is in a comfortable and cozy area for you. It’s better to put a soft towel on the table and then put the baby on top of it.

Play some gentle lullabies or nature sounds something like white noise. Let the ambiance whisk you both away.

2. Communicate during massage

You can gently move your baby’s ankles, wrists, and fingers as part of a massage routine. While you massage, whisper, or sing to them to help your baby feel calm and secure. This will infuse a feeling of security and protection in them.

A better way to communicate is to talk more than Stimulate. Pre-verbal babies and even some toddlers use their bodies to communicate. Infant massage combines this tactile, kinesthetic, and emotional stimulation gently but significantly.

When you talk to her, don’t try to manipulate her muscles. Instead, you’re communicating with her in a way that both of you find comforting.

3. Use the baby oil for a massage

Oil can be used for massage, but many parents don’t like its mess. Make sure the baby’s skin is safe to use. Do not use an oil that has harsh chemicals or strong smells. Oils that have harmful ingredients can make your skin itch.

Natural baby massage oil or cream moisturizes your baby’s skin and helps stimulate their senses to relax and prepare them for bedtime.

4. Be gentle

Don’t forget to be gentle when you’re giving a massage. Think about how the baby’s skin is delicate and soft when you buy clothes for them. People who use harsh massage strokes can make the baby’s skin itch. This can make it look red.

Keep talking and laughing while you massage the baby to make it more fun for them. This way, the baby will be interested in you, and you’ll build a good relationship with them, so do this.

5. Do all the preparations before the massage

Before taking the baby off for a massage, do all the preparations. It might have a cloth to wipe things down, new clothes, and more. If you are giving a massage before bed, make sure that you have the sheets ready.

Because of any stroke during the massage, if you find the baby in pain, don’t do it again, and stop right away.

6. Same time every day

A time for the massage needs to be set up so that you can get it. To give your child the baby massage simultaneously every day, you should do it at the same time each day. The baby will get used to it and start to look forward to it every day.

Also, don’t choose to massage the baby right after being fed. Be confident and keep your mind at ease as you massage the baby. The more comfortable and calm you are going to be, the more pleasant and happy the experience will be for you.

7. Eye contact

Always pay attention to how your baby reacts to the massages, no matter how long they last. Produce a lot of eye contact with the baby to have a better conversation. The reason to massage a baby is that it helps the baby get better sleep at night.

Step-by-step guide on how to massage your baby the right way:

Here’s the right way to give your little one a calm and soothing massage. Please make sure you use gentle strokes and pressure on your baby’s delicate skin.

Head and Face

Begin with your baby’s forehead. Using gentle circular motions with your fingertips, move slowly to the temples. Glide your fingers softly over their eyebrows and cheeks, ensuring you’re not applying too much pressure. Their skin is delicate, so always maintain a gentle touch.

Arms and Hands

For the arms, start at the shoulders. Use a gentle grip and move down to the wrists, ensuring your motions are smooth and consistent. When massaging the hands, gently press and roll each finger. This can be soothing for them, especially if they’ve been using their hands a lot.

Legs and Feet

When attending to the legs, begin at the thighs. Using both hands, glide down towards the ankles, mirroring the technique used for the arms. As for the feet, start at the heel and move towards the toes. Gently press the sole of their foot and give each toe a soft squeeze.

Comforting Back Massage

Lay your baby on their tummy safely. Start at the shoulders and use broad strokes to move down to the base of the spine, avoiding direct pressure on the spine itself. Use this time to check for any signs of discomfort, ensuring your baby is always at ease during the massage.

There you have it—a straightforward guide for a loving baby massage.

When to stop baby massage

Baby massage is a beautiful way to ease, calm, relax, and gently help your baby fall asleep. You can use it to help your baby fall asleep. In the end, there will be a time when the massage does not help.

The process will not work, and your baby will not want to be massaged at that point—time to stop massaging the child.

Experts say that a 15-minute massage session for babies is enough. If the baby has fun, you can keep it going for a few more minutes. This time may be shorter or longer as the baby gets older, depending on several things.

If your baby doesn’t like the message, is grumpy, or starts crying, you should stop right away and not go back in. Many parents aren’t sure how long they should keep giving the massage to their babies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to massage a baby belly?

Lay the baby down on their back on a comfortable surface.
Warm your hands by rubbing them together.
Gently but firmly, start massaging in circular motions around the baby’s navel, moving your hands outwards.
Ensure you’re following the natural path of the digestive system: move hands in a clockwise direction.

How to massage a baby tear duct?

With clean hands, place your index finger near the corner of your baby’s eye, close to the nose.
Apply gentle pressure and slide your finger downwards, along the side of the nose.
This may help open up a blocked tear duct. Always consult with a pediatrician if tear duct problems persist.

How to massage baby flat head?

Babies can develop a flat spot if they lie in one position often. While changing the baby’s position regularly is crucial, massaging can also help.

Lay the baby down comfortably.
With warm hands, gently massage the flattened area in soft circular motions, being very gentle to avoid causing any discomfort.

How to massage baby belly to poop?

Lay the baby on their back.
Move their legs in a gentle bicycling motion.
Massage their belly with warmed hands in a clockwise direction. This follows the natural path of the digestive system and can help relieve constipation.

How to massage baby’s belly for gas?

Lay the baby down on their back.
Gently hold the baby’s knees and feet together and press them towards the belly.
Slowly rotate the baby’s hips a few times to one side, as this can help release trapped gas.

You can also use the “I Love U” technique:

Using your fingers, draw an “I” on the left side of the baby’s belly.
Then, draw an inverted “L”, starting at the top right side of the baby’s belly and moving down, then to the left.
Lastly, draw an inverted “U”, starting at the lower right side of the baby’s belly, moving up and around and down the left side.

These massage techniques can offer relief and comfort to your baby. However, if you notice that the baby is uncomfortable, it’s essential to consult with a pediatrician.

Conclusion:

Alright, so I have journeyed you through baby massage benefits and techniques. Remember, this isn’t just about the technique but it’s about the bond, the love, and the warmth that flows between your hands and your baby’s heart.

Embrace it, enjoy it, and let it be your shared moment of joy.

With practice and consistency, a baby massage will become a no-brainer part of your routine with your little one and you’ll both reap the benefits!

How to Disinfect Baby Toys Naturally (the Green Way)

Baby Foods To Help With Constipation

8 Best Baby Sleep Tips And Tricks That Really Work For New Moms

How To Get Picky Toddler Eat Healthy Meals

Potty Training Tips For First Time Parents: 10 Strategies To Consider

9 Benefits Of Babywearing For Mom And Baby

How To Calm A Fussy Baby? My 10 Tips!

Don’t forget to Pin It For Later!