Baby Massage

 
 

Baby Massage Timing and Cues

Avoid baby massage if:

  • right after feeding

  • when baby’s hungry

  • mid-nap

  • baby has heavy cold/congestion

  • baby has fever

Baby massage is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate positive communication and a respectful sense of touch. Ask for baby’s permission before starting the massage and see what kind of response you get back in the form of cues. If you get cues of aversion, it is best to wait until a better time. Trust your intuition.

Positive Cues

  1. Eye contact

  2. Smiling

  3. Looking at parent

  4. Smooth movements of arms and legs

  5. Making happy baby noises

Aversion Cues

  1. Pulling away

  2. Grimacing

  3. Crying

  4. Squirming

  5. Flailing the arms and legs

  6. Arching the back

  7. Turning their head away

Getting Ready

Warm room – Make sure that the room you will be giving baby massage is extra toasty, hot even. They are not going to be happy about undressing and freezing their little tooshie off! Some find it helpful to give baby massage on the floor of the bathroom. Generally bathrooms are easy to heat and you can run a warm bath for them in advance, further contributing warmth to the space and ease of bathing them afterward.Old linens – You will want an old sheet for the floor or bed, a couple of pillows (for you and baby) and towels you don’t mind getting oily.Warm sesame oil – Buy organic, cold-pressed, unrefined sesame oil whenever possible. It is generally available in health food stores. Even better, the Ayurvedic oil blend ashwagandha/bala is an ideal oil for building baby’s strength and vitality.Baby soap/shampoo/pudding soap – Use mild, unscented soap or warm Ayurvedic pudding soap for bath time.Fresh clothing and diaper – Have on hand for after the bath.Toy – Something to keep baby happy if they get bored.

Baby Massage Tips

10-15 minutes is plenty of time for baby massage.Use as much full palm as possible. Avoid massaging with just your fingers.If giving massage in the evening, do a simplified version of the massage sequence below. If you stimulate baby too much, they may have trouble falling asleep at bedtime.Sit in a comfortable position, maybe with back support and your legs outstretched. Your newborn will fit nicely on your thighs for massage. Another nice option is for baby to lie on a pillow.Ask them for permission before starting massage and look for positive cues.Use gently firm pressure. You don’t want to tickle them!Remember to be loving and patient, relish this time of healing and connection.Encourage them with positive affirmations or singing.If baby gets bored or restless, give them a toy or change up their position.

Baby Massage Sequence

Ayurvedic baby massage is done by covering your baby in warm sesame oil and gently massaging it into your baby’s skin in sweeping and circular motions. Use a generous amount of oil 

Head

Circle top, sides and back of the head with using your whole hand with gentle but firm pressure 3X.Massage the outer ears up and down with gentle squeezing motions.Stroke palm across the forehead 3X.Circle temples and cheeks 3X.Stroke down the sides of the nose 3X.Stroke across the upper lip and chin 3X.

Chest, Arms, & Belly

Apply oil to both your hands. Using a sweeping motion starting at the belly, go up the chest and fan out both arms, all the way to the hands 3X.Say “hello” to the arm by gently putting it between your 2 palms and sweeping down from the shoulder to the fingers.Circle shoulder 3X.Gently squeeze the upper arm back and forth 3X.Circle elbow 3X.Gently squeeze the forearm back and forth 3X.Circle palm and back of hand with your thumb and fingers 3X.Say “goodbye” to the arm by gently putting it between your 2 palms and sweeping down from the shoulder to the fingers.Repeat other armMassage the belly in a clockwise circular motion 7X. If baby is constipated, feel free to do a little more.

Legs & Feet

Say “hello” to the leg by gently putting it between your 2 palms and sweeping down from the hip to the toesCircle hip 3X.Gently squeeze up and down on the thigh 3X.Circle the knee joint 3X.Gently squeeze up and down on the lower leg 3X.Massage foot with thumb and forefingers in circular motion 3X.Say “goodbye” to the leg and foot with a gentle sweeping motion down to the feet.

Back

Gently and carefully turn baby over, making sure to support the head. A pillow may come in handy here.Oil palms and say “hello” to baby’s back by starting at the base of the spine, with palms on either side, and gently press up back and out the arms.With long, sweeping strokes, massage up and down on either side of baby’s spine 7X.Say “goodbye” to baby’s back (same as “hello” stroke).

Bum, Legs & Feet

Apply oil to your palms and say “hello” to baby’s bum, legs and feet. Starting at the bum and going down to the toes, sweep down with your palm, wrapping your fingers around the legs out to the toes.Massage baby’s bum with your thumbs in opposing circular motions, about 10 seconds each cheek Gently squeeze the upper thigh back and forth 3X.Circle back of knee 3X.Gently squeeze the lower leg back and forth 3X.Massage the bottoms of the feet with your thumbs and forefingers 3X.Repeat other legSay a final “goodbye” to the back, bum, legs and feet using a long sweeping motion from the shoulders, down to the toes.