How to Massage an Infant: 7 Tips to Make it as Soothing as Possible
The first three months of your baby’s life is a whirlwind of activity: bonding, snuggling, breastfeeding, sleeping, diaper changing, and trying to understand your newborn’s cries. And on that last note: we all want to have as many ways to soothe and comfort these tiny new humans as possible.
That’s where how to massage an infant can come in handy. No, it doesn’t involve a spa day complete with a fluffy newborn-sized robe and Peruvian flute music. A time-honored technique that promotes bonding, infant massage is a soothing therapy laying a foundation for healthy, secure interactions and attachment between mother and child. Everyone wins: the baby feels connected and better able to communicate their needs, while the parents build confidence in better understanding subtle cues from their baby.
And then, there are the physical benefits: stimulation of digestion and learning, reducing stress hormones and baby massage for sleep. In fact, a study showed that for colicky babies, massage can be just as effective as one of those vibrating chairs.
Tips for How to Massage an Infant
Essentially, infant massage is focused physical connection between you and your baby. We have a few tips below, but for specific guidance on technique, please research an infant massage class near you.
- Make it a part of your bedtime routine, or not; it’s up to you. Honestly, any time is fine, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the baby. They’ll need to be in quiet/alert state — think steady gaze, and a calm demeanor.
- Set the mood! Make sure you’re in a warm, quiet place, because they’ll be in their diapers and you don’t want any distractions. And yes, if you’re feeling some Peruvian flute music is in order, feel free to add that to the mix..
- Wait about 45 minutes after feeding. Massages and full tummies do not mix.
- Speak softly to your babe, and if you can, make eye contact.
- Ask for permission to give them a massage — out loud! Seriously. Follow their cues: if they become stiff and turn their head away, it’s probably not the right time.
- The hallmark of an infant massage is a light touch — soft, gentle strokes. And note: there’s definitely a difference between a tickle and a gentle touch. Even babies get annoyed by tickling.
- Use lotion or oil. Earth Mama’s Calendula Baby Oil is chosen by hospital NICUs for infant massage, but you can also try Earth Mama’s Simply Non-Scents Baby Lotion, which is truly unscented. Whichever you choose, know that in a 2016 study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in conjunction with the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, using lotion with infant massage led to better sleep for the babies — and the mothers. Even better? The scent of lavender, like in Earth Mama’s Calming Lavender Baby Lotion has been proven to both promote sleep and reduce stress in infants. And that, friends, is priceless.
Other resources:
infantmassageusa.com
lovingtouch.com
parents.com
