How to massage your baby

Massage can help your baby in a variety of ways.

Baby massage has been practised in Asia and India for centuries, but has only recently become popular in Western countries. It can help babies sleep better, suffer less wind and reduce stress, and also promotes the bond between parent and baby. Happy, sleepy baby and a happy parents? What you are waiting for!

Benefits parents and bubs
Research has shown that babies who are massaged display better sleep patterns and have lower levels of stress hormones than infants who aren't. There's also evidence that massage can help babies who suffer from wind and colic, leading to better settled and happier babies.

Infant massage is also good for parents because it releases oxytocin, the hormone that helps reduce stress 

The benefits of massage go beyond the physical, though. Soothing touch and concentrated attention can lead to increased communication between parent and child, strengthening the bond between them. It can be especially nice for dads, who can miss out on the bonding epxerience provided by breastfeeding.

Infant massage is also beneficial for parents because giving a massage releases oxytocin, the hormone that helps reduce stress.

How do I give a baby massage?
Baby massage can be as simple as firmly, but gently, rubbing oil into your baby's skin. But for a more comprehensive massage, follow these simple steps:

1. First, make sure that your baby is happy to lie still. If your baby is upset or fidgety, it's best to leave the massage for another time. Immediately following the bath can be a great time for a massage, when your baby is warm, relaxed and already undressed.

2. Place the baby on a firm surface, like a change table or a towel on the floor. Put a few drops of oil on your hands and rub them together to warm the oil. With your baby lying on his back, talk or sing to him while you massage his feet firmly but gently. For very young babies, a gentle foot massage may be all they can cope with. That's fine, and when he's older your baby may enjoy a longer massage.

3. If your baby is still happy, massage his legs, grasping the leg gently at the top and running your hand the length of the leg. When you reach the foot, start again from the top.

4. Gently move your baby's legs, bending his knees up to his tummy then straightening them out, in an action like a frog kick. This can help with disgestion and wind.

5. Moving on to his tummy, check that it isn't firm or full of food. If his tummy is soft, massage in a clockwise direction to aid digestion. If your baby starts to squirm or seem uncomfortable, move away from the tummy, up to the chest.

6. Massage your baby's chest from the collarbones, down and out towards his sides. Then massage his arms the same way you did his legs, starting from the top and working down to the hands. Try not to get oil on your baby's hands - if you do, make sure you wipe them before he puts them in his mouth.

7. Face massage starts at the forehead, moving from between the eyes, over the eyebrows, down the sides of his face and along his jaw, finishing on his chin. Then massage down his nose and across his cheeks.

8. If your baby is still happy, turn him onto his stomach and massage his back. Use small circles down his spine, then long strokes from neck to bottom.

Best oils for baby massage
While almost any lotion or oil can help with smoothing the massage process, most massage practitioners recommend using plant-based oil for baby massage; not only is it absorbed easily into the skin, but it's easily digestible if the baby sucks his oily fingers.

Babies have sensitive skin, so try a little oil on his skin first to see if there's a reaction.

Good oils to try include olive oil, sweet almond oil (available from pharmacies), and grapeseed oil.