5 Tips for Baby Massage

With over a decade of service to children and families, Tina Allen, founder of leading children’s health and nurturing touch organization Liddle Kidz™ Foundation (LKF), has become an internationally respected educator, author and expert in the field of infant and pediatric massage therapy. She is a Pediatric Massage Master Teacher, Developmental Baby Massage Teacher, a Licensed Massage Therapist with specialized training in providing massage therapy for infants and children with special healthcare needs.

Today, I am sharing her 5 tips for baby massage!

5 Tips for Baby Massage

1. Choose the Best Time and Place. Creating the best environment for massage is an ideal way to give yourself, and baby time to relax. Choose a familiar place that is warm, quiet, and with few distractions. The best time for massage is when baby is awake, healthy, and happy. Some babies prefer the morning, while other prefer the afternoon, or before bedtime.

2. Be comfortable. Relax, enjoy, and have fun! Position yourself so that you are comfortable. Be sure baby is safe and placed on a soft area. Keep in mind, babies roll, and become slippery when using oil. Be sure your hands are warm and clean before your begin.

3. Choosing a Massage Oil. While it is not required, using oil can help make massage more enjoyable for some babies and parents. Olive oil and Grapeseed oil are some of the best choices for infant massage. However, if you choose to use lotions be sure to choose a non-toxic option, like Seventh Generation baby lotion – which contains olive oil as a main ingredient.

4. Ask permission. Infant massage can be a wonderful tool for increasing your communication. Listen to your baby. She will give you the signals to let you know she is enjoying massage, or when she is all done for now.

5. Know when not to massage. Never provide massage for your baby without permission {when sleeping, crying, or fussy}. Avoid massage when he is ill, has a fever or infection, or if he has broken skin, rash, or bruising. Wait at least 48-72 hours following immunizations. For tummy massages, wait 30 minutes after eating. If he has any special healthcare needs seek further guidance as to what would be the safest approach.

Want to know more about baby massage? Watch this video!

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Disclosure: As a member of The Motherhood, I received a Seventh Generation gift basket and a stipend. All opinions are my own.