While the gentle art of infant massage has recently been introduced to the Western civilization, it has been practiced for thousands of years in other countries. The power of gentle touch to babies in their first year of life is very important to baby and parent.
When to massage baby:
- Choose a time that best suits your family
- Try to wait 20 minutes after baby has eaten
- If baby is too upset, it is not a good idea to massage
Equipment for baby's massage
- Massage oil
- A warm room with closed windows
- Soft and quiet music (optional)
- Towels so massage oil does not get on anything
- Warm loving hands free of jewelry
California Baby® oils
safe for baby’s massage!
- Calming: Calm baby with aroma therapy of French Lavender
- Overtired & Cranky: Ease cranky baby with a blend of essential oils that includes Roman chamomile
- Super Sensitive: No fragrance or scent making agents for baby’s extra sensitive skin
- Colds & Flu: Treat or prevent that cold with Douglas fir and eucalyptus aroma therapy
- I Love You: Let baby experience how much you love them with the Ylang Ylang and sweet orange blend oil
 1. Begin with baby’s feet (massaging the feet is very relaxing) Use firm but gentle and slow movements |
 2. Slowly move up the lower leg to the thigh and across the hips |
 3A. Next put both hands on baby’s shoulders and gently stroke from the shoulders towards the middle of the chest |
 3B. Another option would be starting at baby’s shoulders and massage down the arms to the fingers |
 4. Tummy strokes should go in circles, clockwise as you look at the baby’s tummy (only massage the tummy if it is soft and baby doesn’t become unsettled or squirmy) When massaging the tummy think of it as a clock and start the massage at 5:00 and gently move clockwise down to 6:00 and then up to 12:00 and back down to 5:00 |
 5. When massaging the face gently with your index finger tips use small circular motions across the forehead and lightly on the cheeks. You can also use these movements starting at the nose and moving outwards |
 6. You can end the massage with massaging the feet and if baby is really relaxed and loves their pampering you can turn baby onto their tummy and keep massaging |
 7. On their tummy start the second part of the massage with baby’s head moving down the back, legs and ending with the feet |
Benefits
For parents:
- Provides quality bonding time
- Allows parents to better read babies cries
For infants:
- Stimulates circulation
- Improves muscle tone
- Releases stress
- Improves sleeping patterns
- Stimulates right/left brain development and coordination
- Increases sense of being loved and accepted