How to Give an Infant Massage

Giving your baby a massage has so many benefits, it is hard to know where to begin to share them all!

I learned about infant massage during a class at Isis Parenting when I had my first son, and we had a nightly ritual of a post-bath massage until he was 18 month old. We have even continued it to this day with a mini-back rub before he goes to sleep. I have now begun the same bonding ritual with my daughter and find it is the perfect time to connect with her after the end of a busy day. I think I am even more conscious of this daily activity since it is often hard to find one-on-one time with her; she needs to share my time and attention with her big brother!

Don’t despair if you have never done this before as it is never too late to start. But starting early and being consistent has many proven physical, mental and emotional benefits. It is more than a sense of touch and the act of cuddling. There are proven benefits with infant massage as a communication tool, and as a way to improve digestion, stimulate brain development, boost the immune system, and reduce stress. During those critical growth periods, like digestive maturing and teething, infant massage can lessen the stress. In fact, studies show that a five minute massage enhances the performance of babies and children on tasks that require attentiveness.

So what do you need to know to get started?

  • While there is no time you have to stop, you should start when your baby is at least three weeks old.
  • Don’t force the massage on your baby. Ask for permission using sign language or other cue.
  • Wait for the right time; quiet, alert, happy. This could be before or after a nap, after waking up in the morning or before going to sleep at night.
  • Don’t give a massage if your baby is sick, has a rash, just had some shots 48-72 hours prior, has eaten in the last 30 minutes, or is otherwise sad enough that the prospect of a pending massage does not lessen their crankiness.
  • Lower the lights and/or play soft soft music to provide a soothing atmosphere for your baby and you. Eliminate outside distractions, like your cell phone too.
  • Pick a lotion that is safe and beneficial to you and your baby.
Olive oil is a great massage oil. Seventh Generation has incorporated Olive Oil into their new line of baby products with bio-based ingredients. It is a great lotion to use for infant massage and it was fun to give a $50 basket of these products to Brook S.! Thanks to everyone who left a comment to enter the giveaway. Watch this infant massage video tutorial so can learn how to give an infant massage to your weeone.

(Giveaway rules were previously listed here. A copy can be found here.)

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Images are my own and are not to be used without permission. I attended an online seminar where I learned about these products. Compensation was provided for this post, though all thoughts, content, and opinions are my own.

 

Time Wednesday, November 7th, 2012, 10:38 am   |   CategoryParenting Ideas and Advice  |  RssRSS feed Comments are currently closed, but you can Trackbacktrackback from your own site.

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67 Responses to “How to Give an Infant Massage”

    
  1. Brook S
    November 7, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    You know I’ve been trying massage’s on my newborn baby to help relieve her from gas. The doc said she has reflux but I don’t want to give her Zantac at 1 month old. She doesn’t vomit just gas. Didn’t know breast feeding could give a baby gas. But anyhow this video is very helpful! Thank you!

  2. Brook S
    November 7, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    Your daughter is gorgeous!!!!

  3. Julie
    November 11, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I really like 7th generations products
    thanks for the giveaway
    I am gong to share this on my fb page

  4. domestic diva
    November 12, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Lovely! Thanks for the chance.

  5. Jessica Beard
    November 12, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    My son and I do many things each day. I stay home with him. We give him a bath, read, play with his cars, watch Disney movies, eat yummy meals, and go on walks.

  6. Jessica Beard
    November 12, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    I love that these products are all natural! i’d love to try them.

  8. aimee lee
    November 13, 2012 at 9:50 am

    the video is great, wish i had seen this sooner. my 4 month old has become a total wiggle worm and i don’t think he would sit still for a massage. I might just try anyway. thank you for the giveaway :)

  10. aimee lee
    November 13, 2012 at 9:52 am

    i follow you on twitter (@aimeelee223)

  11. jenny green
    November 13, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I have never tried 7th generation baby products but they are something i would like to try. I also thought all the info on baby masages was great.

  12. Mary Jo
    November 13, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Books are definitely part of daily routines :)

  13. Jennifer
    November 13, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    fantastic information! My kids love a massage!

  14. kathy dunaway
    November 13, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    My son and I cuddle everyday.I massage him with baby lotion after every bath.He loves it.

  15. Tamar
    November 13, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    I bathe and moisturize her every day and we also always use ointment on her little bottom

  16. Janet W.
    November 13, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    I do many things with my grandsons every day. I feed them solids, play, cuddle, you name it! We would love to try these products as they both have very sensitive skin.

  18. caitlin tate
    November 14, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Thanks for the chance to try these

  20. caitlin tate
    November 14, 2012 at 12:12 am

    follow you on twitter @peainpod3317

  21. Melanie B
    November 14, 2012 at 12:47 am

    I love to read to my daughter and, I play on the floor with my toddler daily

  22. renee walters
    November 14, 2012 at 2:06 am

    Very informative video and your daughter is adorable! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!

  24. renee walters
    November 14, 2012 at 2:08 am

    I follow you on Twitter as ReneeWalters7! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!

  25. Yvonne D
    November 14, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Thank you for your suggestions and love and care you show.

  26. Romina
    November 14, 2012 at 9:35 am

    I play and read with my kids everyday.

  28. Romina
    November 14, 2012 at 9:36 am

    Twitter follower @justanotherhat

  29. Caryn S
    November 14, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    I always try to massage my son after his bath

  30. Heather
    November 14, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Everyday, I like to play with my kids! : )

  31. Amy
    November 14, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Our bedtime routine has always been pretty standard- bath, breastfeed, book, bed.

  32. Amy
    November 14, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    I follow you on twitter- @aswansie

  34. Casey Everidge
    November 15, 2012 at 12:31 am

    im pregnant with my first baby! i would love to win these for my little one!

  35. Nicole D.
    November 15, 2012 at 11:06 am

    I can ‘t wait to try these products. Thanks!

  36. jen
    November 15, 2012 at 11:54 am

    everyday my kids and I eat dinner together, this is always something I can count on!

  37. Rachel
    November 15, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    right now we just cuddle

  38. Tiffany
    November 15, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    I’m a big fan of baby massage. It really helps me calm my fussy baby, and it bonds us together!

  39. Michelle K
    November 15, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    These products look great! I would love to try them.

  40. Richelle
    November 16, 2012 at 1:41 am

    It’s not product related, but we rock each evening. I like the little moment we have alone from everyone. I know soon enough she will outgrow this :(

  42. Sara Wood
    November 16, 2012 at 8:15 am

    My son has really bad gas and I have tried unsuccessfully to relieve it =( Maybe the video will help me.

  43. Stephanie Larison
    November 16, 2012 at 8:32 am

    I haven’t tried their products before but I’ve heard great feedback!

  45. Cee Love
    November 16, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    I always found that giving baby massages was a great bonding experience for us both, plus babies have stress just like you do and it helps them relieve that. Love your in depth review.

  46. Lisa Garner
    November 16, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    My daughter and I read everyday to have special time together. I would love to pass this great basket on the my sister who is expecting her first child.

  48. Lisa Garner
    November 16, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I’m following you on Twitter @lisalmg.

  49. jessica schueler
    November 16, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    great video, and I love all natural products.

  51. Dollops of Diane
    November 16, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Twitter follower (@dollopsofdiane)

  52. Jenny
    November 16, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    I try to massage my baby every day.

  53. Angela M
    November 16, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    Every day we just spend quality time together. Never the same thing all of the time.

  55. Angela M
    November 16, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    I follow you on Twitter. @thisisme79

  56. Christian Alejandro N.
    November 16, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Great video! And yes.. soft music makes a difference. It can be relaxing for the parent as well as the baby.

  58. Christian Alejandro N.
    November 16, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    Following on twitter @lieutcrunch17

  59. shirley zolenski
    November 16, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Massage is so good for everyone. Circulation, the touch everything

  60. holly
    November 16, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    we have a bedtime routine that we do every night…i give her a bath, dry her off, massage her with lotion, put her pj’s on and then read a story :)

  61. holly
    November 16, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    i follow you on twitter (@HollyGunter)

  62. Gianna
    November 17, 2012 at 12:04 am

    I’d love to give their products a try.

  63. Sarah Davis
    November 19, 2012 at 9:40 am

    Great idea. My son has severe reflux. Maybe massage would help!

  64. Amy Davis
    November 20, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Every day, my kiddos and I: read books, laugh, and snuggle. They’re the light of my lives! I try to show them this every day.

  65. Julie S
    November 20, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Great video!

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