Module 18: Baby Massage

By the end of this chapter, you will

know:
How to give a baby massage
What to avoid when giving a baby massage
How it can benefit both mother and baby
The techniques that should be used
About the history and culture of baby massage

18.1 Introduction
The benefits of baby massage are enormous.

Not only does it enable the mother or caregiver precious time

in which they can bond with their baby, but it also aids
muscle development and relaxation. In the West, the
realization of the benefits of baby massage has only really
become apparent during the last 30 years.

In other parts of the world, in countries such as Asia and

Africa, baby massage has been carried out for many centuries
as each subsequent generation has passed on the therapeutic
benefits and effects of baby massage from one generation to
the next.

To a baby, touch is talk. Through massaging their baby,

parents and caregivers can gain more confidence in handling
them and relating to them, by watching and interpreting their
baby’s reaction to touch.

They find out what their baby likes and dislikes and this can
only help a parent understand their baby better. Further, this
helps in developing a positive relationship between baby and
parents.

Massage has also been known to strengthen babies’ muscles and

joints and help to relieve the symptoms of some ailments that
are common in the early years of life.

Studies carried out across various cross cultures have shown

that babies who have more body contact – that is by being
carried, breastfed, massaged, and gently handled – develop
into adults who show empathy, compassion, and cooperation with
others.

18.2 The Benefits of Baby Massage

to the Parent
Bonding
Baby massage provides mother and baby with the opportunity of
increased eye contact.

Results in increased prolactin levels (prolactin is a

hormone needed to produce breast milk, also known as the
“mothering” hormone).
It gives you the feeling of ‘falling in love’ with your
baby.
Where there have been cases of abuse and neglect, baby
massage has produced some positive results.

Developing Sensitivity
When massaging your baby, you must be vigilant for signs of
your baby’s reaction to your touch and particularly the
pressure you apply. Babies are unable to tell you whether you
are massaging them too hard!

In reading your baby’s body language and interpreting their

reaction, you are acquiring some key parenting skills.

In fact, research studies have shown that mothers who had lots
of early contact with their children could choose their 3 -8-
year-old children’s pajamas from a pile of others that were
identical.

Stress Relief
Massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone.

Parents benefit greatly from giving massages to their children

and studies have shown that those who carry out massage on a
regular basis benefit from reduced stress levels.

For working mums and dads, being able to give your baby a
massage as soon as you return home from work, provides
valuable quality time with your little one – and in doing so
helps you to relax and reconnect with them.

18.3 The Benefits of Baby Massage

to the Baby
Stimulation
One of the earliest developed functions is skin sensitivity.

In studies carried out, research has illustrated that those

animals that are touched more or stroked tend to be healthier
in weight, more alert and bright-eyed, and are more good-
natured than other animals

Massage is so therapeutic, it has been shown to improve the

stability of the nervous system and resistance to disease.
Regularly massaged babies tend to be more friendly and alert
once they are awake. Similarly, these babies and/or toddlers
tend to be chatterboxes and make more attempts at conversation
than babies who have not been massaged.

Massaged babies tend to be more receptive to hugs and cuddles

as they grow older.

Relaxation
After a baby massage, you will find that your baby will
usually have a brilliant night’s sleep (which often means that
so can you!)

Massaging babies can help them to get rid of their pent-up

frustration and tension. It also gives babies/toddlers a
positive body image and provides youngsters with a good set of
relaxation techniques that may benefit them in later years.

General Wellbeing
The close, loving contact that baby massage provides, helps
babies such that they succumb to an illness a lot less and are
not so prone to crying as babies who are not massaged.

The act of massaging helps in improving the circulatory

process as well in providing a boost for the immune system by
helping to move the lymph around. It has been shown that
massage can aid in providing colic relief and other problems
related to digestion (it helps shift the gas and fecal
material).

Its therapeutic benefits are such that it can aid in relieving

the pain of teething and emotional stress. Massage can act as
a pain killer in that the act of massaging results in
producing endorphins.

Physical Growth
Massage promotes physical self-awareness, tones muscle, and
makes joints more flexible. In this way, it is especially
beneficial to premature babies, those with low birth weight,
and children with special needs.

Social Skills
Touching teaches a baby about communication.

Massage helps to establish a non-verbal communication with

babies that enhances a parent’s early relationship with their
child, and, therefore, helps build the baby’s self-esteem and
sociability.

Fact

Massaged babies gained 47 percent more weight than unmassaged

babies given the same number of calories.

Source: Touch Research Institute of the University Of Miami

School Of Medicine

Premature infants who are regularly massaged are hospitalized

an average of six fewer days than non-massaged babies. This is
why massage is now used in many special care nurseries.

18.4 Preparing to Massage

When to start?
Baby massage can be started as early as the day a baby is
born. However, special care must be taken to avoid touching
the navel area until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off.
This normally happens from four to seven days after delivery.

Research has shown that premature babies receive tremendous

benefits from baby massage.

When premature babies receive routine care in hospitals, their

pulse rates increase and their oxygen levels decrease,
indicating distress. However, when they are massaged, the
opposite occurs: their pulse rates come down and their oxygen
levels rise. This would indicate that premature babies find
massage calming and soothing.

What environment is needed for the massage?

A warm room. The room must be warm enough to keep your baby
comfortable. 26 C is the ideal room temperature. Babies lose
heat quickly when uncovered and oil tends to reduce body heat
as well.

A quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Do not have the television on

or other people in the room causing an interruption. Both
parent and baby will enjoy the massage and tune in to each
other more effectively if there is nothing around to cause
distraction.

What time of the day is best for baby’s massage?

The best time to massage a baby is when they are awake and
feeling happy. Most people prefer to massage babies after a
bath or before one. It is important the parent is also calm
and relaxed, otherwise, the baby will absorb the tension and
anxiety and be affected by the parent’s mood.

It is advised not to carry out a massage immediately after a

feed. Leave at least an hour between the baby being fed and
being massaged; otherwise, this may induce vomiting.
Do not leave the massage until just before the baby’s next
feed as the baby may become distressed and unsettled during
the massage if they are feeling hungry.

How long should a massage take?

Usually, a massage can take about 20 to 30 minutes. A baby is
not very big and so it is possible to do a complete massage at
that time.

However, in the beginning, it will probably take a bit longer

as parents new to massage will need to learn and get used to
the different techniques.

A good way of learning is for the parents to enroll themselves

and the baby into baby massage classes.

In many cases, hospitals or local clinics may have classes

available or be able to recommend suitable points of contact.

Being part of an interactive class where the tutor can show

how to perform the movements, and then to be able to perform
those very movements on a baby is an excellent way for parents
to learn.

Failing that, there are many excellent books on baby massage;

the ones with pictures are easiest to follow.

There are also many excellent DVDs and videos which take you
through the entire massage process step by step. As with
anything, parents can use these tools to learn the techniques
but after a few weeks, the whole massage process should become
second nature.

How often should a baby be massaged?

If possible, baby massage should be incorporated into a baby’s
daily routine. Even a 15-minute massage session will prove
beneficial to both mother and baby. However, if this is not
possible, even massaging a baby three times a week will still
have positive results.
What oils should be used?
The basis of massage is skin to skin contact. Therefore,
parents should massage their babies once all the baby’s
clothes have been removed. The oil will help the hands move
over the baby’s body smoothly, and allows long, continuous
strokes to be made without causing friction.

Natural oils, such as almond oil, grape-seed oil, or extra

virgin olive oil, are excellent to use as these are easily
absorbed by the skin.

Massage pressure
The ideal pressure to use on a baby is similar to that
obtained when closing your eyes and pressing the eyelids
without any discomfort.

In small areas, fingertips should be used. In bigger areas,

such as the babies back and chest, the palms of the hand
should be used.

Points to note Babies become very slippery when oiled so be

very careful when picking them up after the massage.

If a child is believed to have a nut allergy, use oil which is

free of nut products.

Do not use essential oils (aromatherapy oils) on babies unless

directed by a trained aromatherapist.

Do not massage a baby if they have a temperature.

18.5 Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation
Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and
calm. A half-hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.
Be sure that the room temperature is warm (78 degrees
Fahrenheit). Undress the baby completely, and if the weather
is cold or humid, cover the areas of the baby’s body that are
not being massaged.

Put the baby on a soft surface so that they will feel

comfortable and secure. Keep some little pillows handy.

Basically, the massage flows from the head to the toes. With
soft and gentle touches, you will work on the head, face,
shoulders, arms, chest, stomach, and legs.

While you massage the baby, look tenderly at him/her. Doing

this, you stimulate all the senses of the baby and establish
more intense visual and tactile communication. Feel free to
speak to the baby, do not inhibit yourself.

Remember that your touches should be tender so do not make

mechanic motions. Try to be flexible by not keeping a rigid
routine.

If the baby wants to change position, let them do so. Do not

force the baby to keep a position; you can go back to these
areas later on.

Technique
The pressure to use: Close your eyes and press your eyelids.
The pressure you should use is the same as pressing your
eyelids without any discomfort. In the small areas, use your
fingertips. In bigger areas, use the palm of your hand.
“Little strokes” mean to touch your baby’s skin gently and
“massage” is to softly move the muscles under the skin.

Step by Step Description

The head:
Touch the forehead, temples, and the base of the cranium,
eyebrows and eyelids, nose, cheeks, the area around the mouth,
ears, and surrounding area
Jaws:
The frontal part of the neck (very gently). Make small strokes
and massage the posterior part of the neck with slow movements
down to the shoulders.

Softly put both hands on his/her shoulders. Caress the baby

from the neck to the shoulders in the direction of their
chest.

Shoulders and arms:

Form a ring with your fingers and thumb around your child’s
arm. Begin to caress around the armpit and then go down along
the arm. Be very careful when you arrive at the elbow, as it
is a very sensitive region. In the wrist, you can gently
practice turning motions. Remember to take great care of all
of these motions.

Stomach:
Massage the stomach in a circular way (the genital area is
excluded from the massage). Caress the abdomen moving your
hands clockwise beginning below the ribs.

Legs:
Caress each leg with your whole hand, press gently on the
thighs. Slightly flex the legs and knees, pressing the thighs
gently against the body.

Heels and feet:

A foot massage is very relaxing. Begin by putting a soft
pressure on each toe, then the foot, and return to the toes
again. Sometimes a foot massage can help reduce stomach pain.
Gently caress all the toes. Apply circular movements at the
heels.

Back:
Turn your baby around. Begin with large and slow movements
that include the head, neck, back, and legs always in one
direction. Give your baby soft strokes on the shoulders and
back and massage with your fingertips with circular movements.
Do not massage the spinal cord, only put your hands over it
and let the baby feel the warm sensation. You can even make
small circular movements on your baby’s back.

Put your hands at the top of the legs and begin gently
caressing while working your way down towards the foot.

Feet:
When you arrive at the feet, start again from the top. With
soft and slow movements, finish the massage starting once
again at the head and back to the toes.

Lessons Learned In this module, you have learned about the

background of what inspired baby massage.

We have discussed how to give a baby massage and you

understand the benefits this can have for both mother and
child. You know how delicate babies can be so you must treat
them with extra care and have a soft approach to your massage
therapy techniques. You know the suitable times to give a baby
a massage, understanding all of the preparation and different
techniques to be used on different body parts.

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