Massage tips
It’s never too early to start massaging your baby for some super benefits. Here’s how, says certified baby massage instructor Tina Otte
OF ALL THE SENSES, the sense of touch is the most developed at birth, and newborn babies need plenty of tactile stimulation in order to learn about the world around them.
Touch may be one of the main intersensory integrators, and one of the cementors of development. When you touch a baby you are not only growing a healthy baby, but a healthy brain as well.
Deep, slow stroking over her body is deeply relaxing and soothing, while light, faster touching is more stimulating. Touch your baby with a variety of different textures – using soft or furry gloves, stroking her with a feather or using a soft, new paintbrush to brush her skin. Stroking her hands and feet and playing games like “This little piggy…” will encourage fun and laughter. Find out about enrolling for baby exercises and massage classes. Baby exercises not only strengthen your baby’s body but also teach your baby about how her body moves in space, as will massage. YB
LONG LEGS
Support your baby’s leg by holding securely at the ankle in an extended position. With the other hand, starting from the hip, grasp your baby’s leg securely then slowly but firmly bring that hand up towards the ankle. Change hands and repeat with your other hand on the inner side of the leg. Do this three times with each hand. This movement warms up the extremities and moves tension away from the body. It also tones and strengthens the muscles and ligaments for weight- bearing later. Do this on both legs.
TOE TO NOSE
Holding your baby’s foot, gently squeeze and roll each toe [1]. Before moving on to another toe, first touch the tip of baby’s nose [2]. Say “toes” as you touch the toe and then “nose” as you touch the nose. Your baby will start to connect the two ends of her body.
GROW MY BRAIN
The part of the brain that controls balance, memory, hearing and critical thinking is found in the temporal lobe – the area behind the ears. Gently wake up the ears by massaging the earlobes simultaneously from top to bottom between your fingers and thumbs. This will enhance the growth of the networks between the ears and the brain. It is also a calming strategy when your baby gets fractious and overstimulated.
TOMMY THUMB & FRIENDS
To open baby’s hands (newborns’ hands are tightly gripped from the grasping reflex) and make her aware of her fingers do the following and name the fingers as you touch them. Press your thumb into your baby’s palm and make small circles to relax her grip. Then gently roll and stretch each finger as you say: “Tommy Thumb, Peter Pointer, Toby Tall, Ruby Ring, Baby Small.” Repeat on both hands.
DRAW MY FACE
With the gentle pressure of a fingertip slowly outline your baby’s face, eyes, eyelashes, nose, cheeks and mouth as you name each of the parts that make up her face. This is especially soothing and non- threatening if done slowly and gently.
OPEN YOUR HEART
Emotions are held in the chest area where the heart is. With both hands together at the centre of the chest, gently but firmly press out to the sides of your baby’s body, following the ribcage, as if you were flattening the pages of a book. Without lifting your hands, bring them back to the centre from where you started.
BACK TO FRONT
It is important for your baby to spend some wakeful time on her tummy. This is a safe and effective way of providing tummy time while she gets a massage on her back, buttocks and legs. Place baby on her tummy and with well- oiled hands make small circles all around the back with your fingertips, making larger circles over the buttocks. Don’t forget to stroke down the legs to the feet, in order to bring awareness to that part of her body. • Do this at a time when your baby is lying quietly with her eyes open and her limbs relaxed.
• Make sure that you have no chance of being distracted for at least 10 minutes.
• Keep the movements you use slow and firm.
• Use a good- quality baby oil or organic oil when you massage.
• Make sure the room is comfortably warm, remembering that newborns cannot maintain their body temperature as well as you can.
• Place baby on a clean, soft surface.
• Ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable during the massage. • Make sure you have your oils, a spare nappy and towel and anything else you may need before you start.
I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK
This movement helps ease winds and stimulates the digestive system. It also gives you an opportunity to tell your baby how much she is loved. You will use both hands for this stroke. Your left hand makes a full circle in a clockwise direction around your baby’s abdomen. Your right hand makes an upside down half moon from your left to your right. While the right hand is above, the left hand is below.