Babies love to be cuddled, patted, and massaged, and this is good for both parents and the child.
Baby massage has benefits, to straightening legs, for weight gain, supporting physical, mental, emotional development etc.
Baby massage is very important for motor skill development and other body functions such as digestion, immune system, and blood circulation.
When Can I start Massage for my baby?
Baby massage therapy can be started once the child is 8 weeks. Generally, baby massage therapists admit babies who’re at least 3 months into massage classes.
However, it is important to plan baby massage classes properly to choose the best time.
Determine whether you want it in the morning or afternoon. Massage therapy for babies is good between meals when the baby is not too tired or restless.
Make sure the room is comfortably warm for your newborn, the baby has just taken a nap, or bath and is well relaxed, and there’s no noise or any disturbance before you start the massage session.
The massage session should not last for more than 30 minutes and should be at least 10 minutes.
While some parents like to offer massage therapy to their babies daily, it’s good to make it 3 times a week.
Baby massage with Music and Baby Oil
Babies love coordinated sounds and rhymes, and are interested in listening to soft and slow music.
If you whisper to them lovingly, then it’s easy for them to get relaxed quickly, then you can start rubbing their body with your warm hands and oil.
You start your baby massage gently: the younger the baby, the softer the touch.
For 3 months old babies, tender stroking movements are ok. After 5 months, you can add more pressure gradually as the baby develops.
Also, you should pay good attention to the reaction of the baby to understand how soothing and comfortable the massage is to their body.
Is the baby relaxed or showing discomfort? Is he enjoying the therapy and looking relaxed or otherwise?
The answers to these questions would help to either increase or decrease the pressure and intensity of the massage therapy.
How to Start a Baby Massage
A good option is to let the baby lie on its back on your stretched legs. The baby’s head should lie in the direction of your knees, and the arms are lovingly caressed in the direction of the hands.
You should start stroking the body from the shoulders to the stomach. You should do this with the palm of your hand in clockwise circular movements.
In this way, slight abdominal pain or three-month colic in the child can also be managed.
After this, you can continue with the baby’s legs, back, and buttocks, and gently knead the body. A final cuddle session should of course not be missing.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Babies
The main benefits of baby massage therapy are to improve sleep, relieve pain and discomfort, stimulate the growth hormones and also improve the overall functioning of the body systems.
The baby’s most important tactile organ, the delicate and soft skin, is also stimulated with massage therapy.
Also, the parent-child relationship is intensified and the self-confidence of the baby can be developed better as the child develops.
