Infant Massage
When it comes to taking care of your baby, you will often find yourself overwhelmed with all the dos and don’ts of parenting. But here’s the thing: there is no right or wrong way to parent. So even if people recommend something and swear by it, it’s okay to want to do your own research.
A lot of parents recommend massaging your baby and swear by the benefits. And with good reason!
Benefits Of Massaging Your Baby
Massaging babies is a common practice in Asian cultures, often taken up by the baby’s grandmother. Owing to the benefits, it is now gaining popularity in western culture as well! Some benefits of baby massage include:
- Encourages a healthy form of interaction between you and your baby
- It helps your baby relax since most of them find a parent’s touch comforting. They might even sleep better afterward!
- It can help blood flow within your baby’s body
- According to the IAIM, it can also help prevent or soothe digestive issues like cramps, colic, and constipation
- They can also help ease muscular tension, and that in turn promotes the growth of the baby
When Can You Start Massaging Your Baby and How Often You Can Do It
The IAIM suggests that you can start massaging soon after the baby’s birth. However, be mindful of starting small, with gentle strokes.
How often you can do it depends on you and your baby. Some parents like giving their babies a massage every day if they like it, others might want to do it twice or thrice a week depending on when they can make time for it and whether or not their baby likes it.
How To Do It
There is no specific way to go about massaging your baby but here are some tips to get you started.
- Ensure that your baby is in a good mood, to begin with, a fussy baby won’t want to be massaged
- If the baby was recently fed, wait at least 45 minutes before the massage to prevent any vomiting
- If your baby feels up to it, make sure you place them in a quiet, comfortable environment
- Start with slow, gentle strokes, and take your time massaging each body part
- Look at your baby’s body language for cues on whether or not they’re enjoying it
- Talk to your baby, it’s a great time for bond building!
- You can use a gentle baby-friendly oil like grapeseed oil to make it easier to massage your baby
If you want to learn more about infant massage, you can always take our class to get a better idea.
Again, always look out for signs of discomfort in your baby. If they keep crying or stiffening up, they might have an underlying issue that’s making them uncomfortable. If you feel like your baby might be feeling pain from the touch, refer to your healthcare provider just to make sure everything is okay.