Infant massage for parents & caregivers
Concrete ways to ease your baby’s tummy aches, tooth pain and boost your baby's immune system naturally (not to mention bond with your baby!)
How to properly massage your baby and what areas to stay away
Benefits and contraindications of infant massage
When is the best time to massage your baby by learning about their cues
Strokes used specially for infants from newborns to 12 months
Introduction
Legs & feet routine
Abdomen, chest & bonus colic routine
Arms & hands routine
Face routine
Back routine
You want to improve your baby’s well being
You want to help boost all your baby’s body systems naturally as many people from other cultures have done it for decades
You want to connect and bond with your baby
Liliana Morris
Melissa Dedon
Infant massage has many benefits including relaxation, bonding and attachment, improved sleep habits and reduction in gas, constipation and fussiness. However, the most beneficial part of massage is the opportunity to just be with your child. Listen with your hands and with your heart as you massage, dropping your expectations or need for accomplishment or perfection. The quality of this interaction is very powerful and allows you to enjoy a special experience with your child, emotionally and physically.
We are never too old or too young for a massage. However, we recommend newborns to up to 12 months. The younger they are the easier and the better. Your child will benefit from your nurturing touch from birth through the teen years. The principles of respect and asking permission apply throughout all these years. This is a great way to keep in touch with your child and it is never too late to start! For older siblings, massage is a good way to neutralize jealousy and provide the focused attention they also require. Massage is a relaxing form of communication that can help you maintain positive communication with your child at any age.
Massage should last as long as it is pleasurable for both you and your child. This may be as little as a few minutes (which can be very effective) and as long as a half an hour or more.
Infant massage uses a firm, yet gentle touch. Don’t press too hard—this isn’t “deep tissue massage”, but also don’t tickle or use touch that is too light. Watch for the baby’s reaction to determine the appropriate pressure.
Observe your baby’s breathing to notice how your touch is being received. Your baby’s breathing will probably become deeper and slower. Signs may indicate that your baby is receiving the massage as nurturing and pleasurable. Facial expressions, body posture, movement and sharing what they like with words and pleasurable sounds also indicate if babies like the experience.
Yes! Massage is a wonderful way for fathers to demonstrate their love. We must respect that a father’s way of relating to the child may be different from that of mothers. Sometimes Dads give the best massage because they aren’t afraid to go a little deeper. Massage is also a great way for fathers to learn more about their baby’s body, needs, communication and cues.
Absolutely, we actually teach you the routine to help.