MASSAGE FOR BABIES

New mothers have a particular heightened awareness in the early days after birth which makes them feel the need to get to know as much about their babies as they are able. It is this increased sensitivity that can also make you so emotional at first - naturally overwhelmed by the wonder of it all.The more your baby is with you, the more use you can make of this natural response by simply looking, touching and listening.You may never have found other babies fascinating, but if you allow yourself to touch and get to know your own baby well, you will soon find yourself coming under her spell. Simply stroking and enjoying your baby's soft skin, little movements and noises will make you feel protective and help physical and emotional closeness to grow.

You will inevitably touch your baby frequently as you attend to her needs, but this is not the same as taking the time to touch for the sheer pleasure of it. Massaging, like feeding, involves rhythms which nappy changing, dressing and undressing do not. Giving your baby a massage is soothing for both of you and allows an opportunity to enjoy the feel of each other. You can begin as soon as she starts to have periods of wakefulness. Use light but firm pressure, taking your guide from how she reacts. Being able to stroke your child confidently will be a useful technique throughout childhood.
Your toddler will want to touch the new baby too and can be shown ways of stroking her or simply feeling her softness and noticing her dimples. This will encourage the older child to feel protective as well as giving satisfaction because he can soothe the newcomer.
It's safer, of course, to let him practice stroking while the baby is lying down, rather than while holding her.

WHOLE BODY MASSAGE

Just before or just after a bath, when your baby is undressed, is a good time to practice, provided that the baby is not too hungry. lie her by her tummy and lightly stroke from her shoulder to her feet several times and then from shoulders to her fingertips. Turn her over onto her back and stroke the front of her body.

FACE MASSAGE

Lie the baby comfortably on your lap such that she is facing you. Then using your fingertips, stroke her forehead, from the middle outwards. Using your thumbs, stroke the top of her cheeks and then stroke the sides of her face to meet at her chin, with your fingertips.

FOOT AND HAND MASSAGE

This little piggy can be an opportunity gently to stretch her toes and uncurl her fingers. simply make your baby sit on your lap and stroke her hands and feet with your thumbs. This will help keep her contended and it,s something you can do even when visitors claim your attention.

ARM AND LEG MASSAGE

Lie the baby on her back and, lifting her legs, either do bicycling movements or gently stroke her legs letting her push against your hands with her feet. You can also do large circular movements with her arms. All help the baby enjoy the feel of muscles being gently stretched.

TUMMY MASSAGE

Stroking with gentle, even pressure on a baby's tummy can help soothe colic. Either lie her over your knee with her bottom slightly higher than her head and pat her bottom ( firmly if there is a good padding of nappy ) or stroke the sides of her tummy from the hips up on the chest. Or lie her on her back and circle her tummy button with both hands stroking in the same direction.

Mothers are always excited on their baby’s birth and its a natural passion to have babies and their proper care with parentage spirit. Baby feeding is a key topic of mothers’ discussions and pediatrics suggest breast feeding till the first birthday of your baby.