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.

 

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67 Comments

  1. Pingback: Seventh Generation Products: Wee Generations Baby Care | Charlene Chronicles

  2. 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!

  3. Your daughter is gorgeous!!!!

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

  5. Pingback: Enter to win Seventh Generation Baby Care Products - ends 11/16/12 | Blog Giveaway Directory
  6. domestic diva says:

    Lovely! Thanks for the chance.

  7. Jessica Beard says:

    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.

  8. Jessica Beard says:

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

  10. aimee lee says:

    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 🙂

  12. aimee lee says:

    i follow you on twitter (@aimeelee223)

  13. jenny green says:

    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.

  14. Books are definitely part of daily routines 🙂

  15. fantastic information! My kids love a massage!

  16. kathy dunaway says:

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

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

  18. 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.

  20. caitlin tate says:

    Thanks for the chance to try these

  22. caitlin tate says:

    follow you on twitter @peainpod3317

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

  24. renee walters says:

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

  26. renee walters says:

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

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

  28. I play and read with my kids everyday.

  31. I always try to massage my son after his bath

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

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

  34. I follow you on twitter- @aswansie

  36. Casey Everidge says:

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

  37. Nicole D. says:

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

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

  39. right now we just cuddle

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

  41. Michelle K says:

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

  42. 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 🙁

  44. Sara Wood says:

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

  45. Stephanie Larison says:

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

  46. How sweet

  47. 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.

  48. Lisa Garner says:

    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.

  50. Lisa Garner says:

    I’m following you on Twitter @lisalmg.

  51. jessica schueler says:

    great video, and I love all natural products.

  54. I try to massage my baby every day.

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

  57. I follow you on Twitter. @thisisme79

  58. Christian Alejandro N. says:

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

  60. Christian Alejandro N. says:

    Following on twitter @lieutcrunch17

  61. shirley zolenski says:

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

  62. 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 🙂

  63. i follow you on twitter (@HollyGunter)

  64. I’d love to give their products a try.

  65. Sarah Davis says:

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

  66. Amy Davis says:

    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.

  67. Great video!

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