Baby Massage
A great way to bond with your baby premature or full term. Always prepare for some relaxed time with your baby with no interuptions. It can be a great way to prepare for bedtime after a bath or just to have some nice contact if your premmie baby is still in hospital.
Asking permission
Before you begin each body area,start by rubbing a few drops of oil or lotion into your hands to warm up as you ask your baby’s permission - ‘Can I give you a massage?’ Only massage your baby when he or she shows you it is the right time for them, a massage won't be of any benefit to you or your baby if they are crying or.
Legs / Arms Massage
Use downwards strokes to massage the legs from thighs to ankles. The same approach can be used for the arms, starting at the
shoulders down to the finger tips. Use a gentle milking action rather than a forceful stroke.
Stomach MassageWhen the umbilical cord has healed, you can massage around your baby’s tummy button in clockwise circles. Then, make
paddling strokes on your baby’s tummy, with one hand following the other. Or the old I LOVE YOU which can also help colic.
(Simply trace I LOVE U across the babies tummey with firm but gentle strokes)
Upper bodyWith both hands, stroke your baby from the centre of the chest in outward sweeps to the sides. Picture a heart on your babies chest and starting at the center trace up and out and down to the point.
HeadUsing lotion for the face, stroke with your fi ngers from the middle of their forehead to the tops of your baby’s ears;
make little spirals around the cheeks, along their jaw area. Best to avoid touching or massaging the top of your babies head while it is still soft.
BackTummy time is very important to a babies development while they are awake. Lightly stroke your baby's back beginning at the neck, down to their bottom or feet. Or lightly tap your finger tips running down their back.
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