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Baby Massage

"Baby massage can help parents to understand their child's needs"

Baby massage has been used for centuries across many cultures and research shows it has many benefits. Today our lives can be so hectic that it's important to take time out to spend quiet, loving, quality time with your baby. It is a wonderful way to bond with and make your baby feel secure and safe by showing that they are loved and cared for. Baby massage is also a simple technique, it's free and can be performed anywhere.

There is no set way to massage your baby - provided you know how to do it safely, you and your baby will discover what's best for you both. It is important to remember, however, that massage is something you do with, rather than to your baby. It is recommended that you learn from someone with a qualification in baby massage, or from a midwife or health visitor, to ensure you are doing it safely.

 

The benefits of infant massage for your child

• Smoothes transition from womb to the world
• Develops baby's first language: touch
• Teaches positive loving touch
• Develops a feeling of being loved, respected and secure
• Develops body, mind, awareness and coordination
• Can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation
• Helps to regulate and strengthen baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systems
• Promotes relaxation
• Can help to reduce 'fussiness' and improve quality of sleep
• Improves skin condition

The benefits of infant massage for parents

• Helps parent to understand baby's non-verbal communication
• Enhances parent's confidence and competence in dealing with baby
• Can help with postnatal depression
• Both parents and baby relax together
• Promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones)
• Promotes nurturing instinct (through stimulation of hormone oxytocin)

(From The Guild of Infant & Child Massage website, www.gicm.org.uk, 2005)

Where and When To Massage

You need a warm room with a minimum temperature of 25 C as babies lose their heat quickly when uncovered.  

Choose a room on your own away from distractions like the television and other people.

Don’t massage when baby is tired or has just had a feed. Wait until at least one hour following a feed, otherwise you could cause baby to bring up his/her food. However, don\t wait until just before a feed is due either as he/she could be too hungry to enjoy the experience.

You can begin massaging as soon as you like after baby's birth, but don't massage around the navel area until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off – normally four to seven days after birth.

How Long Should A Massage Take?

A baby massage should take about 20-30 minutes. A baby is not very big so half an hour will be enough to completely massage baby. If possible, include a massage in baby's daily routine. If this is not possible, even three times each week will be beneficial.

Massage Pressure

Babies are fragile! As a guide, close your eyes and rub your eyelid. This is the maximum pressure you should use when massaging baby.

The Massage Oils

Oil will help your hands move gently over baby's body without causing friction, they will also moisturise baby's skin. Use natural oils such as extra virgin olive oil, almond oil or grape-seed oil as these are easily absorbed by the skin. Essential oils may be added but only those safe for use and within the recommended doses, it is best to consult a trained aromatherapist or buy a product which meets the Cosmetic Regulations 2004 legislation such as the Baby Massage Oil from The Celtic Herbal Company.

Baby Massage Oil

Our Baby Massage Oil is a simple yet very effective massage oil which is safe to use on baby. A blend of natural vegetable oils, calendula oil, vitamin E and Lavender, Mandarin and Chamomile essential oils.

Our oil contains no artificial ingredients and is not tested on animals. If you would like to give baby massage a try then click here for our 100% natural baby massage oil.

At Celtic Herbal we have also developed a 100% natural Yummy Mummy Massage Oil, so if you also need some loving then click here.

 

If you need any more information on baby massage visit www.gicm.org.uk (Guild of Infant and Child Massage)

All text copyright © The Celtic Herbal Company Ltd.