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PLAYING: How to give a baby massage

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How to give a baby massage

Baby massages are a great opportunity for interacting with your baby and for skin-to-skin contact. Find out what to do with this baby tummy massage breakdown. Now you can put “baby masseuse” on your CV, alongside “super mom”.

2 mins to read Sep 15, 2020
  • Choose a time when baby is relaxed. After their evening bath is good.
  • Use the right oil. Plant-based oils - like coconut, canola, corn, olive, grapeseed, avocado, or safflower oils – all work well and are safe if your baby sucks on their hands or fingers.
  • Prepare all your massage equipment before baby’s bath, when your hands are free.
  • Get set up on the floor with a clean, soft towel on top of a yoga or baby mat.
  • Make sure the room is warm enough for baby to be in just their diaper or a onesie.
  • Dim the lights if it’s getting close to bedtime.
  • Put some relaxing music or lullabies on for those sleepy cues.
  • Remove any rings or bracelets.
  • Make sure your hands are warm.
  • Undress baby and lay them on top of your soft towel and mat on the floor. 
  • Pour a small amount of your preferred oil for baby massage on your hands and warm it in your palms.
  • Start at baby’s feet. Stretching and rubbing their toes and bottoms of their feet.
  • Work up baby’s legs and very gently rub and squeeze their muscles. Support your baby’s leg by holding their heel with one hand.
  • Work your way to baby’s arms. Support their wrist with one hand.
  • Finish with a chest and tummy rub. Use clockwise circular motions on his tummy to aid digestion.
  • Talk to your baby softy and narrate what you are doing to them throughout the massage.
  • Keep eye contact as you massage baby.
  • Don’t rub or squeeze baby too hard.
  • Stop massaging if baby doesn’t enjoy it. Not all babies do.
  • Stop massaging if baby falls asleep.
  • If the massage hasn’t helped to relieve baby’s tummy problems, read our checklist for other tips on how to help.

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