The Best Massage Techniques for Your Baby

Your baby is under constant stress. From the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep, their world is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and even smells that baby can’t process. This leaves your little one constantly on edge, stressed by everything around them. Because of this, babies are constantly looking for ways to relax and de-stress. Their parents see this need as an opportunity to connect with their child in a unique way that no other person can. 

Giving your baby a massage not only soothes them, but also teaches them how their parents feel and react when they’re touched in certain places. While massages aren’t exactly easy for adults – let alone small creatures – they are absolutely perfect for babies and toddlers! They’re flexible enough to be stretched out comfortably while still being strong enough to support your little one. Here are our top tips on how you can give your baby a relaxing massage at home that will soon become an essential part of their daily routine:

Start with a shower and a dry skin

If your baby is in the phase where they’re most receptive to being touched – and most likely to be receptive to being massaged gently – it’s best to start with a shower. Showering your baby helps to wash off surface tension that can cause baby’s skin to be more sensitive and easier to touch. 

Next, dry your baby’s skin and apply a soothing moisturiser. Babies’ skin is very delicate, which means that the water has been rough on their skin, which means that any moisturising cream you use will be absorbed better and have a much longer shelf-life.

Don’t expect your baby to stay still

If you’re trying to place your baby in a position that will allow you to get a good grip and use your full range of skills, don’t do it at the expense of your baby’s comfort. 

Expect your baby to squirm and wriggle while you massage them, which will not only be an adorable sight to see, but will also let your hands have more room to work. If you’re trying to massage your baby’s tummy, try to do it while they’re lying down. 

This will allow you to get a good grip on them while also letting them feel like they’re in control. Babies and toddlers are constantly on the go and they don’t have the extra layer of fat and muscle that adults have, making it much harder for you to get a good grip on them. 

If you’re trying to massage your baby’s legs, help them by holding their legs and resting them on your lap. This will let your hands get a better grip on their legs and help to reduce the amount of wriggling.

Use your palms, feet and fingertips

There’s a massive difference between rubbing your baby’s arms or legs with your hands and using your fingers. It’s important to remember that your baby’s skin is incredibly delicate and using your fingers too roughly can cause damage to their skin. To massage your baby’s arms, use your palms along the arm. 

This will help to reduce the amount of damage you cause while also letting your baby feel like they’re having the arm they want massaged. To massage your baby’s legs, use your feet. Your feet are fill with muscles that are much stronger than your hands so they’re much more suit to the task of massage.

Wrap up with a final touch

When you’re do massaging your baby, don’t forget to give them a cuddle. Cuddling helps to reduce anxiety and calm your baby down, which will help them to relax and sleep better. Your cuddles don’t have to be super long or dramatic. A few gentle strokes from you will do the trick and help your nannu says to relax.

Don’t stop at one - keep going!

If your baby is receptive to being massage, you should try to massage them as often as you can. It’s important to remember that your baby won’t be able to massage you back, so you have to take the lead in easing tension. However, you don’t have to massage your baby every single day. 

Your baby is under constant stress, which means that they’ll be more relaxed on days where you don’t. If you do massage your baby, try to use different techniques. Different strokes on different parts of your baby’s body let them know that you’re always there for them even when they’re stress.

Conclusion

Massaging your Nannusays can help ease their stress and give both of you a break from the hectic world that your life has become. It’s important to remember, however, that you’re the one doing the massaging, so take the time to do it properly. While massages are best do by an adult, babies and toddlers can benefit from a massage as well. 

A baby massage is especially beneficial for children under the age of two, as it helps to relax them, calm their nerves and make them feel loved. When you take the time to massage your baby, you not only make them feel loved and cared for, you also teach them about touch, which will be incredibly useful for them as they grow up. Babies and toddlers are constantly on edge, so it’s important to help them to relax as much as possible.