Baby Massage Techniques Using Johnson's Baby Oil
Massaging your baby has been proven to help your baby’s growth and immunity. Massaging your baby helps release ‘feel good’ hormones in babies, such as dopamine (improves brain functioning), serotonin (mood enhancing), and oxytocin (love bonding). Massaging reduces pain and makes your baby feel relaxed, thus improving your baby’s sleep.
Apart from using a suitable, hypoallergenic Baby massage oil for lubricating your baby’s skin, applying the right strokes and massage techniques are important too.
Here are some tips in helping you create an ideal massage routine for your baby:
1. Right timing
Choosing the right time for massaging your body is important. The best times to massage your baby is during bedtime and after a bath. Also, avoid giving your baby a rubdown immediately after eating, as it may cause your baby to spit up. Ideally, you should be giving your baby a massage for about an hour or two after feeding.
Limit your baby massage to only 5-10 minutes at a time. When your baby starts sleeping, crying, or fidgeting, it is also a sign to stop massaging your baby. Also, make sure to turn off distractions when massaging your baby, such as turning off bright lights during a massage, especially for bedtime massages.
2. Right massage techniques
Applying gentle, rhythmic caressing strokes to your baby is the right way to doing baby massage. Make sure that you don’t apply too much pressure since babies still don’t have enough resistance in their muscles and bones to withstand normal strength. Here are some guidelines in applying the right massage techniques for your baby:
● Start by applying a few drops of oil in your palms, and rubbing them together to warm the oils up.
● Start massaging your baby’s thighs and legs, going down to your baby’s ankles and feet. Apply rhythmic caressing strokes on the legs, and gently press around your baby’s feet.
● Massage the arms and chest area. Apply rhythmic strokes for the arms, and gently pressing the hands and fingers. When massaging the chest area, apply light pressure from the middle chest extending outwards. Be careful also when massaging near the armpits, as it is a sensitive area.
● Flip your baby to lie on his or her stomach. Apply warm oil on your baby’s back, and start massaging on the shoulder areas, slowly moving down the butt area. Be careful when moving along the spine.
● Flip your baby to lie down on his or her back again, and massage the tummy area. Apply gentle strokes in a clockwise direction to help improve your baby’s digestion.
● Avoid massaging your baby’s head and face, since your baby’s face is more sensitive compared to the rest and the head may still have some fontanel (soft spots on your baby’s head).
Baby massages are a beneficial addition to your baby care routine that helps you bond with your little one as well. By knowing proper baby massage techniques, you can ensure a fun, healthy bonding experience for you and your baby. You should also limit massage to only a few times a week.
