Infant massage has been a popular practice for generations among parents and newborns. There is also a ton of evidence to support the advantages; studies have connected infant massage to better non-verbal communication, stress reduction, healthy brain and physical development, and more. In summary, including infant massage in your daily caregiving practice can have a significant positive impact. Here are some baby massage techniques you can use on your child on a regular basis.
Massaging a Baby’s Tummy
IAIM claims that massaging a baby’s stomach can help relieve digestive problems like gas and constipation, lessen colic symptoms, and promote healthy digestion. The best approach for parents is provided here.
- Position your hand such that the edge of your pinky may glide across the tummy of your infant like a paddle. Stroke down in a paddle-wheel action with one hand at a time, beginning at the base of the rib cage.
- Use your fingertips to rub the abdomen in a clockwise, circular manner.
- Perform the “I Love You” stroke by drawing the letter I along your infant’s left side. Then, make an inverted L shape by tracing your hand across your stomach from right to left and down, along the base of your ribs. From low on the infant’s right side, trace an inverted U motion up and around the navel before moving down the left side.
Massaging a Baby’s Chest
When a baby has a cough, cold, or respiratory illness, massaging their chest with a healing oil may help ease their symptoms. A chest massage can enhance breathing patterns and lung health in healthy newborns as well. If they are ill, speak to your child’s doctor before massaging their chest.
- Place both hands on your child’s chest and rub his or her chest from sternum to shoulders.
- Trace a heart shape starting at the chest, moving both hands up to the shoulders, down, and back together.
- Stroke diagonally from one side of your baby’s hip, up and over the other shoulder, and then back down to the hip in a crisscross pattern.
Massaging a Baby’s Legs
Even though your infant may not yet be able to walk, a little leg massage can nevertheless help relieve stress and encourage calm.
- Raise one of your infant’s legs by the ankle and gently tap the top of the thigh to relax it.
- With your other hand, form a C-shape around your baby’s upper thigh while holding the ankle with the other. From the thigh to the foot, make a stroke.
- Wringing a towel-like motion with both hands spinning in opposing directions while holding the leg at the thigh with one hand directly over the other.
- From the heel to the toes, massage the sole of the foot using a thumb-over-thumb motion.
- From the heel to the toes, massage the bottom of the foot with your entire hand.
- Gently rub your foot’s top. Gently pull and pinch each toe.
- Apply gentle circular motions as you massage the ankle.
- As if you were rolling out dough, roll the leg between your hands.
