Baby Massage? - Wellness Moms - Post

Wellness Moms

Public online group

Baby Massage?

Jennifer

Can Suzanne please share with us some techniques for baby massage? My son is 3 months and I think he would enjoy some relaxation...I mean he spends most of his time laying down...poor guy and poor muscles!
Posted by Jennifer on 04/22/2008 02:11 PM

Suzanne

hi jennifer, i'd be honored to speak a bit about baby massage. i just hled a class this morning with the cutest two week old boy you've ever seen..."reno" and he appeared to be in heaven with his mama lovin' all over him. this work is called infant massage but the way i teach it, it's really about "loving touch" and is therefore appropriate for any age. i still do this with my 5 and 7 yr olds...but now i get massages back as well sometimes. a plus to tell any new mom. a few basics, begin by taking a deep breath and asking your child for permission to begin. i like to say "namaste" and then "massage?" with a question intonation for little babies that get more the energy of what we say that really what we say. then apply some oil to your hands. i like almond oil and grapeseed oil best...and have had no issues with alergies over the ten years i've taught using these natural cold pressed oils. then begin. the massage flows well if you begin with babies feet and legs as these are the babies least vunerable areas. start with one limb and massage the foot ankle and long strokes up the leg...getting htis lmb to relax before moving to the other leg and foot. i tlak to my babies as i go, making eye contact is so good and i keep their head elevated slightly to hel with digestion. pick a warm, quiet place int he house...maybe on the floor in the bathroom right after bath time :) the idea is to connect...to talk and to listen. your baby will guide you if you listen. i can go on for hours...and i do regularly as i teach this class weekly!!! i' can post some moves on my website at www.bcoh.org and will do so this week! so happy to be asked. one other thing. the tummy is a GREAT area to work and an area that parents generally avoid, feeling more comfortable with legs and backs...but massage your babies tummy. the basic moves are down and clockwise as you face your baby as this is the way the intestines run and this helps greatly with gas, digestion, etc. basic principles of massage are to go slow and deep as light is often more stimuating and less relaxing. if you are in st. louis, look me up as we get together with our babies weekly to give them a massage and build connection to ourselves as mothers and to each other. to end, say something like "all done" and do this every time to really make your time together a ritual...with a beginning and an end. play music and enjoy this secial time...and you'll find you may even feel like you're the one who got the massage!!! again, thanks for asking. namaste.
posted by Suzanne on 04/23/2008 11:35 PM

Jennifer

Thank you so much in behalf of Matthew, he will get a treat tonight!
posted by Jennifer on 04/24/2008 07:11 PM

Jennifer

Suzanne, I just wanted to let you know that I did the moves you said on Matthew and on my 5 year old Nayelli because she had a tummy ache last night...they had a look of tranquility on their faces and it put them both right to sleep! I really feel that this act nourished our mother-child bond because I really had to pay attention to their nonverbal signals to see if the touch was too firm or was tickling them or if I just needed to use more oil...and you are right...I got a little charge off of it, I really felt just as relaxed as they looked! Thanks for sharing!
posted by Jennifer on 04/25/2008 04:04 PM

Suzanne

hey jennifer, you have some lucky kids to have picked you as their mama. i am soooo glad the tips helped and even more glad to hear you used them not only with your baby but with your 5 year old as well. you got it!!! truely special. suzanne
posted by Suzanne on 04/27/2008 12:24 AM

Sierra

Hello,

I am a massage therapist and I can tell you mothers that massage for your baby is WONDERFUL!

At one time this was used on sick children and permature newborns but now we know it is great for healthy children also!

BENEFITS:

Strengthening the immune system

Improving muscle development

Stimulating growth

easing colic

If you have questions about this I would love to help...

posted by Sierra on 12/03/2010 05:34 PM

Sierra

Suzanne you are amazing for posting this! I hope all moms take your advice!
posted by Sierra on 12/03/2010 05:37 PM

Your reply: