Loving strokes for a healthy, happy baby.

My children are past baby age, but when they have a stomach ache or they’re coming down with a cough or cold, they ask for their dose of stomach massage or chest and back rubs – depending on where the problem is. And it always makes them feel better.

It all started when they were babies, when we discovered the wonders of infant massage.

I had read about baby touch therapy in a few books and websites that told me about how good it is for calming babies and for forging a good baby-and-mommy bond. Studies also show that massage improves the growth and development of premature infants. Studies have not been made for how it affects growth among full-term babies, but but even they can benefit from the power of touch.

Experts highlight why massage is good for all infants.

• Babies have high needs for touch and physical intimacy. Massage provides this and strengthens the mother and child bond in the process.
• If you are a new mom, massage can help you get used to handling your baby.
• It stimulates the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems.
• It eases a typical problem among babies – gas pains. I have seen this myself, a few strokes and… relief!
• It can calm or quiet down some fussy babies. Massage is known to encourage deeper sleep.

Massaging your baby is pretty simple and easy to do. You don’t need to be an expert masseuse. No need to worry about wearing yourself out either. Babies are tiny and require just a few minutes of tender touch. Here’s how to do it:

1. A good time to give baby a massage is after a bath. This is when I would do it, but you can determine which is the best time for you. Make sure it’s a time when you are free from all distractions and possible interruptions. All you need is between 5 to 15 minutes.
2. Find a quiet and warm comfortable area. Lay your naked child on a warm towel. I’ve heard some babies do not like being completely bare so leave the pants, shorts or diapers on first. Start with a bare upper body and remove the pants when you get to the lower body.
3. Begin with a gentle head massage. Gently stroke the top of her head then move to the forehead and sides of the face. Continue to stroke down to the neck and shoulders. When you get to the arms, use tender squeezes. Go back to light rubbing in the chest and belly area. On the tummy, make big to smaller circular motions ending right in the middle of the belly. Apply gentle squeezes down her legs, ankles, feet, and toes. Finish with long light strokes all the way down her body from head to toe.
4. While massaging, use light, gentle strokes all throughout. Look at your baby eye to eye and talk to her. Use a gentle voice and smile. You can talk about what you’re doing or tell her about her body parts.

If your baby is willing, you can turn her on her belly and massage her back, again working from head to toe. Don’t force it though if she’s no longer interested. My own kids loved being massaged, but I noticed that sometimes they would only be interested for shorter periods, or would just like the tummy rub or the head rub. Other days they could go with the full front and back massage. My son enjoyed longer sessions more than his sister. It’s a personal thing I suppose. Take your child’s lead, as even just a little touch therapy can go a long way.

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