Baby Massage: A Form of Communication to Be Discovered

The art of touch, which has been regarded as a taboo in Western countries, is now being accepted. From birth, you can massage your baby to communicate with him, secure him, soothe him and develop his motor skills.

Touch is the primary means of communication in a toddler and massage can be considered a true body language. It protects the child from the heat of the womb and comforts distraught parents who are often impressed with their newborns by allowing them to touch him. We must not always look for complicated answers; when a baby cries he simply needs a hug.

The virtues of massage

Massage promotes relaxation and brings a true welfare by releasing the muscles, stimulating blood and lymph circulation, even by reducing pain and promoting bowel movement. Finally, it contributes to the development of your baby to prepare him from his foetal position to gradually sit and stand alone.

The basic principles

To perform the massage, you must choose a time of day where you and your baby are relaxed (for example, just after the bath). Sit quietly (preferably alone with him) in a well-heated (26 ° C) room. Adopt a comfortable position by either putting your baby on a table with a towel underneath him or leaving him standing up or putting him on your lap.

While doing so make sure that the baby will not feel cold. Proceed slowly and massage for a few minutes different parts of his body and help your baby to relax. Day by day he will get used to this massage and he will feel the well-being he can obtain.

Gradually, you will manage to perform a full body massage in thirty minutes. If the baby is sick or you do not feel up to it just skip the massage for next time.

Tips on massage

The massage must produce a mutual pleasure. Be natural by singing, talking to your child, tickling him and kissing him. Do not try to execute mechanical gestures but let yourself be guided by your hands and your child's reactions.

When doing massage to your baby first you should coat your hands with oil, like sweet almond and warm your hands by rubbing them together. Play with the child while beginning to massage him. Increase pressure lightly with the palms of your hand and thumb starting from his shoulders and back and then change your child's position to continue over his thorax and abdomen. Slide your hands on his arms in circular movements. Do the same to the top of the head, forehead, temples, nose and finish by kneading his neck slightly.

Around 9-12 months, do not worry if the baby manifests impatience. He will want to move around and explore the world around him. You will see that in moments of fatigue and tension he will always appreciate a little massage on his the head, feet or back ... And you too!

Sources:

http://www.netmums.com/baby/Time_with_Baby_Massage.685/