Massage has a lot of physical benefits for the babies. It plays a vital role in digestion, blood circulation and growth. It relaxes the baby, and makes the bond between the mother and the child stronger.

Studies have shown that massaging an infant can reduce crying, fussiness and give a peaceful sleep. For hundreds of years in many other cultures mothers have been massaging their babies as part of their daily routine, especially in India and it is very important for your baby even today. You should start the massage after 2 weeks of birth until the age of 2 years approximately.

Pick a time when you are relaxed and the baby is active, it hardly takes 10 to 15 minutes. Try starting after a diaper change. Leave a time gap of half an hour between breastfeeding and massage period. Before you begin, make sure the room is warm and calm. Remove solid accessories you have worn in your hands. Take some baby oil, Johnson’s baby oil worked best with me. Strip out the diaper and put your baby on a soft sheet or a blanket and a pillow under the head. It is really easy and fun.

How to massage

A/N: This is what I have done to my baby. All you have to do is use be careful and use your common sense. Don’t do anything risky or with force. Let the baby enjoy the massage.

Leg Massage:

Take some oil and gently wrap your hands around your baby’s leg and glide your hands down from thigh to ankle firmly. Repeat a few times; then do the same on the other leg.

Arm Massage:

Gently roll your baby’s arm between your hands, starting at his shoulder and moving down to his wrist. Repeat two to three times, and then switch to his other arm.

Neck to Back Massage:

Support your infant’s head and upper body with one hand. Place the thumb of your other hand on one side of her neck and your first two fingers on the other side. Then use your fingertips to gently rub your baby’s neck in a circular motion. Then turn your baby on its stomach and gently rub your finger tips on the spine to neck. Repeat the procedure a few times.

Belly massage:

Place your hands at the level of your baby’s navel. In a clockwise motion, rub your fingertips firmly and gently over her tummy in a circular motion.

Lastly,

Wrap your baby in a towel, and hold them close to you. Gently run yours hands on the back and walk around with your infant. Never give them a bath immediately after a massage, let the baby sleep peacefully. When the infant wakes up, give them some breast milk first and then after a break of 10- 15 minutes, you may take them for a warm bath.