Experts say that massaging a baby, especially when it’s done routinely, reaps great benefits for the little one’s well being. This loving skin-to-skin contact does more than just keep your baby happy. Here are some of the extra benefits tied to baby massage:
- It helps you bond with your baby. This is important for both moms and dads and baby massage is one of the best ways to bond with your baby. You can both take turns and enjoy some quality one-on-one time with your little one.
- Reduces baby fussiness and colic. Massaging your baby will help to stimulate the central nervous system, resulting in the release of a chemical called serotonin. It’s a feel-good chemical that calms the body. A baby will feel relaxed and calmer as a result.
- Reduces crying and improves sleep.
- Increases emotional well-being for both babies and parents.
- Increases weight gain in premature babies.
Some useful techniques
There are many different ways you can give your baby a massage. If you’re clueless as to what to do though, here are some tips:
- Using a good baby massage oil, start off with the hands. Hold your baby’s hands and rub the palms with your thumbs. You can do the same thing with your baby’s little feet and toes.
- Next, move onto your baby’s legs – gently squeezing the legs from ankles to thighs and then thighs to ankles.
- After the legs, massage each arm separately by gently rolling your hand on the arm or just using your fingertips in a circular motion.
- For the chest and belly area, gently use your fingertips and use circular motions on your baby’s belly.
- Finish with the back. Keep in mind that very young babies may not yet enjoy “tummy time,” so if your little one tends to fuss while trying to hold his head up, you might want to skip this one.
Points to remember
After a diaper change or right before the nighttime bath routine (after the baby is fed and no longer hungry) are good times to do a ten-minute massage. Also, take off any jewelry. You don’t want anything to get in the way between you and your baby.
