Consumers Guide to: BabySpa Massaging Your Baby Guide - Massage, baby, massage techniques, relaxing effects

CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO:

Massaging Your Baby

Baby massage is best when baby is quiet and alert (not too tired, hungry, fussy or sick). After bath is ideal.

Keep massage under 10 minutes.

Maintain as much eye contact as possible, and describe the massage to your baby.

Baby Picture

Warm BabyMassage Oil by gently rubbing oil between your hands.

with baby facing you. Hold baby's ankle and stroke up the outside of the leg and around the thigh. Use thumbs to make small circles up the legs toward the heart.

Massage the soles and tops of the feet in circular movements with your thumbs.

Use the same technique for arms as you did for legs.

Baby Picture

Gently massage baby's belly in a clockwise direction with your fingertips or the palm of your hand.

Turn baby over onto belly, and massage up the back, with one hand on eaither side of the spine. Never put pressure directly on the spine.

Baby Picture

Avoid massaging face and hands, to minimize risk of getting oil in eyes or mouth.

BENEFITS OF BABY MASSAGE:

Enhances loving bond with baby.

Eases symptoms of gas and colic.

Promotes longer and deeper sleep.

Helps strengthen and regulate baby's digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.

Relaxes both baby and parent.

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