Tips & Precautions for Massaging Your Baby

There are several benefits cited to be associated with massaging your baby, however, there are tips and precautions you need to take while massaging your newborn baby. Leave alone the benefits it has to offer, massaging your baby offers a great time to bond with your baby. Right from strengthening the baby’s bones to promoting better sleep and soothing colic, massage offers a plethora of benefits for the baby:

Benefits of massaging your baby:

Here are some of the main benefits of massaging your newborn baby that you should definitely know as a new parent.

1. Massage promotes better sleep. But avoid massaging when the baby is already too tired or sleepy.

2. Do not massage the baby anytime close to his mealtime.

3. Know the right force to exert while you massage the baby. Keep your touch neither tickly nor too hard and apply the right amount of pressure.

4. Do not make the massage time just another routine. Consider it as a time to bond with your baby. Talk to him, laugh with him and you would soon notice that he starts enjoying his massage time.

5. Some babies hate massages. If that is the case, stop at once and allow few days to pass before you try again.

Do’s and Don’t’s while massaging the baby:

There are certain do's and don't's that you must follow while massaging your newborn baby, so that the little one's health is taken care of and also, risks of any unwanted complications are well-avoided.

Massaging your baby's Hands:

Do’s of massaging your baby's hands:

Use circular strokes and proceed downwards gently from the upper arm to the wrist.

Massage her palms in gentle circles and gently use a milking motion to massage her fingers.

Don’t’s of massaging your baby's hands:

Do not pull her fingers too tight.

Do not forget to support her wrist while massaging her palms.

Massaging your baby's Legs:

Do’s of massaging your baby's legs:

Again follow the circular motion and proceed downward from thighs to the ankles.

Use your thumb to gently massage from the heels to the toes.

The lower and upper part of the feet should be massaged with your palm.

Don’t’s  of massaging your baby's legs:

When you make downward strokes from the thigh to the feet, do not forget to support your baby’s thighs.

Massaging your baby's Chest and baby's tummy

Do’s of massaging your baby's chest and tummy:

Apply outwards strokes on baby’s chest.

For the abdomen massage, use circular motions

Don’t’s of massaging your baby's chest and tummy:

Tummy massage should not be done till the baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off and the area has completely healed.

Massaging your Baby's back:

Do’s of massaging your baby's back:

Again follow downward strokes on the baby’s back.

Massage his shoulders in gentle circles.

Don’t’s of massaging your baby's back:

Do not exert pressure on baby’s spine.

Massaging every area requires a set procedure to be followed and specific patterns to be followed. Know the procedure well before you do the massage. This applies especially when you massage your baby’s face and head. Keep the massage gentle and brief.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.