Benefits of Baby Massage (And How To Do It)

The idea of baby massage is not a new one, but it's only recently that it's become more popular in Australia. There are so many benefits for both you and your baby when you start doing natural baby massages. The greatest benefit is the bonding that you and your baby experience.

Benefits of Baby Massage

Studies show that baby massage has many benefits. Regular baby massage with natural baby products have shown that your baby is less likely to get colds, colic and digestive problems. Baby massage improves the circulation and helps their little bodies remove waste, boosting overall health. Your baby’s first sense in the womb is touch, and that means he or she will be more sensitive after birth. Take the time to learn techniques for baby massage to help calm and soothe your baby, and you'll soon learn to judge their emotions as you and your baby get to know each other.

What you'll need

You don't need much to massage your baby. Make sure that the room is warm, and that you have a soft towel or blanket to lay your baby on. It's best to lay your baby on something that's easy to wash, in case of accidents. It's good to massage your baby with a natural oil, to help your hands glide over his skin easily. There are lots of baby massage oils, but simple is always best for a baby. Look for something that's based on natural plant oils, not mineral oils. Unscented oils are good, or you can choose essential oils like chamomile that are calming. Make sure that any scents or essential oils used are suitable for babies. Our favourite baby massage oils are the ones from Weleda, Little Innoscents, and Nature's Child. It's great to get into a routine of a bath, massage and perhaps a final feed as a way of getting baby to know that it's bedtime. Your baby will be warm and clean, soothed and fed and this will help in getting your little one off to a great start with sleep routines!

How massage your baby

It's very easy to learn how to massage your baby. You may be able to find a local class, like the ones from Infant Massage Australia. It's a great way to meet other new mums and learn some useful techniques at the same time. You could also watch a video on baby massage and try the techniques out on your baby. Weleda has a great tutorial on how to massage your baby, below.

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