Enjoy

BABY
MASSAGE
Written by Helen Carr, an experienced Midwife and Baby Massage Instructor.

An informative and easy to follow guide

aimed at anyone interested in baby massage.
 INTRODUCTION
Baby massage provides a special time for you and your baby to share.
As a mum of three, I believe that massage is a life skill,
a gift to cherish and helps you to create a
life long bond with your baby.
As your child grows older you may find he/she will begin to massage you!

Whilst working as a midwife I gained a BA(Hons) in Health Studies.

As part of my degree course I researched and devised a teaching pack for
midwives and health professionals on baby massage.
that has formed the grounding for this guide.

The aim of this guide is to encourage families to enjoy baby massage.

You can learn baby massage before your baby is born by practising
on a doll or teddy bear.
The guide will enable you to massage your baby confidently.
Massaging your tummy, singing and talking to your baby
before birth is the beginning of baby massage
and the start of your special journey.

When your baby is new born, start with gentle stroking movements.
As your baby and your confidence grows, gradually include new
movements using the routine to guide you.
These step by step instructions will provide you with necessary skills
to form a strong physical, emotional and spiritual
attachment with your baby....ENJOY.
 SPECIAL THANKS
to the beautiful model Erin Longworth, who shows how it should
be done and her parents Joanne and Neil for allowing Helen
to share in that special time.
 CONTENTS
The most important thing about baby massage
is that you and your baby enjoy it.
Baby massage is a very special way of
spending precious and fulfilling time together.

The aim of this booklet is to

provide you with information on page

The benefits of baby massage. 1

Checklist for safe baby massage. 2

What to use on your baby’s skin. 3-4

How to prepare for baby massage. 5

Baby massage routine. 6

Leg massage 7-8

Foot massage 9-10

Tummy massage 11-12

Chest & arm massage 13-14

Back massage 15-16

 THE BENEFITS OF BABY MASSAGE
There are many research articles published on baby massage and the benefits are widely
accepted (further reading is suggested at the end of the guide)
Some of the physical and psychological benefits are described below.

Physical benefits of baby massage include :-

Good for condition of the skin.
Stimulates the circulation, encouraging blood supply to the muscles and tissue.
Improves digestion and can prevent/help with wind, colic and constipation.
Encourages weight gain.
Stimulates endorphins – the body’s natural pain killers.
Encourages joint mobility and flexibility.
Usually calming and relaxing.
Improves sleep patterns.

Psychological benefits of baby massage include :-

Bonding
Bonding has been defined as the strong physical, emotional and spiritual attachment,
which can develop between people of any age.
Baby massage is both good for your baby and the person performing the massage.

Family involvement
All family members can participate in baby massage, creating that special involvement
with your baby and encouraging a closer family unit.
Involving siblings (either massaging the baby or a doll) also helps them adjust.
For breast feeding mums - someone else massaging your baby
provides you with a little time-out.

‘Allows’ Touch
It has been demonstrated that in our society there are many factors which inhibit physical
contact between parents and their baby. Baby massage provides the ‘permission to touch’.

Promotes confidence
Baby massage helps you to gain confidence in holding, handling and caring for your baby.
It can empower and enables you to communicate well with your baby.
Touch is the basic and simplest form of communication.

Soothing and calming

It can help with a fretful or crying baby especially when the baby is used to massage.
Stroking and soothing movements can also help if your baby is teething or poorly.

1
 CHECKLIST FOR SAFE BABY MASSAGE
Baby massage is a very safe method of care but check the list below before you start.
If unsure seek advice from your midwife, health visitor, doctor or a
qualified baby massage instructor.

1. Is your baby well?

If your baby is poorly, particularly if he/she has a high temperature,
your baby’s body is working hard and your baby needs to rest.
Seek professional advice if your baby is unwell.
Gentle stroking and soothing movements can be calming and relaxing for your
baby but do not perform a full massage routine.

2. Has your baby had a recent immunisation?

Avoid baby massage for 48 hours after the immunisation
in case your baby develops a temperature.
Again the stroking, soothing movements can be calming and relaxing.
If your baby appears well after 48 hours, you can massage but be very gentle
over the injection site for about a week.

3. Has your baby got a rash/skin problem?

Babies (especially when little) have sensitive skin and are prone
to slight rashes, spots and dry skin patches.
If you are at all concerned about the condition of your baby’s skin,
consult with your GP, midwife or health visitor before using a massage medium.
Skin infections are not common but need ruling out.
If your baby has a skin infection it is important not to massage until fully treated,
to prevent spreading the condition.
If your baby has a skin condition (e.g. eczema) and you are prescribed a cream or lotion,
use this as your massage medium with the exception of steroid creams.
Your health professional will advise you on the use of steroid creams.

You know your baby best, but it is advisable...

Not to wake your baby for a massage.
Not to massage your baby against his/her will.
Not to force any movements.
To stop if your baby becomes upset. Settle him/her and return to the
massage if/when your baby is ready and happy.
To wait for about an hour after a feed to allow for digestion.
(A stimulating massage just after a feed can make your baby vomit.)

2
 MASSAGE MEDIUMS
A massage medium can be an oil, cream or lotion used to lubricate the skin for
massage, allowing for a smooth flow of movement.

Newborn Baby
At birth, the top layer of your baby’s skin is very thin and easily damaged.
Over the first month (or longer if your baby was premature), your baby’s skin matures
and develops its own natural protective barrier.
Vernix (the white sticky substance that covers your baby’s skin in the womb)
should always be left to absorb naturally. This is a natural moisturiser and protects
against infection in the next few days.
It is best to avoid bathing your baby in the first few days
For at least the first month it is best to bath your baby with plain water only.
If you need to, you can also use some mild, non-perfumed soap.
Avoid skin lotions, medicated wipes, or adding cleansers to your baby’s bath water.
Premature babies skin is even more delicate; neonatal staff will advise you on skin care.
Avoid using any oils, creams or lotions until your baby is at least 1 month old.

Introduction of a massage medium when your baby is older

Choosing a massage medium is entirely down to personal choice;

most people find oil the easiest medium to work with.
It is advisable to apply the chosen medium to a small area of your baby’s skin, a few hours
prior to applying over the whole body, to ensure it is suitable for your baby.

Cold pressed vegetable or fruit oils are the most suitable to use and are
cheap and easy to obtain. Examples are : -

Rapeseed oil
Obtained from the plant it is a cold pressed oil that is a deep yellow colour and easy to use.
It contains Vitamine E and helps to soften and nourish the skin.

Grapeseed oil
As a fruit oil it is very light and easy to use.
It leaves the skin with a smooth satin finish without being greasy.

Calendula oil
A more specialist oil which is a cold pressed oil that has had marigolds steeped in it.
The marigolds’ properties are very good for dry cracked or sore skin and help
with healing and reduce inflammation.
As a more specialised oil it is more expensive than the ones described above.

3
 Avoid buying oils used for cooking as they are highly refined.
The refining process frequently involves the use of high temperatures and chemicals
which can alter the natural properties and character of the oil.
This makes the oil unsuitable for massage purposes.

Commercial baby products e.g. baby oils or baby massage creams are also suitable to use.
They make the baby smell nice but the perfumes added can
irritate some babies with sensitive skin.

Alternatives to oils are creams or lotions. It is better to use an un-perfumed base cream
or base lotion made from pure, natural plant products.
More specialist creams can also be helpful for certain babies.

If your baby has a skin condition (e.g. eczema) it is recommended that the cream prescribed
or advised by your GP, midwife or health visitor is
used as the massage medium, with the exception of steroid creams.

Massage mediums can be obtained from a chemist or health food shop.

If you require any advice please speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.

4
 PREPARATION FOR BABY MASSAGE
It helps to prepare before you start to massage your baby.
If possible ensure that...The Time is Right.
BABY
Choose a time when your baby is content, when he/she is not tired,
hungry , just had a feed or fretful.
YOU
Ensure you have enough time and are not tired or in a hurry.
The room is warm and draught free.
Try to remain undisturbed (e.g. turn the phone off).
Remove jewellery and keep nails short to avoid scratching.
Your hands are clean and warm.
WHERE
The safest place to massage your baby is on a towel on the floor
where you know your baby is safe and cannot fall. If it is easier you could
place your baby on the bed or changing area but ensure your baby is
not left unattended at any time.
YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED
Clean towel. Massage medium (i.e. oil, cream or lotion).
Clean nappy and clothing for after the massage.
Cotton wool and water or wipes for any accidents!
ONLY UNDRESS YOUR BABY WHEN YOU ARE READY TO BEGIN.

5
 BABY MASSAGE ROUTINE
This routine is provided as a guide. It is helpful to have a routine to follow when
you first start baby massage but it is not essential.
It does not matter if you miss things out or add movements in.
The most important thing is that you both enjoy the massage.

It is both relaxing for your baby and the person performing the massage.
It is lovely to sing to your baby and as he/she gets older incorporate games -
Make it fun!

Initially start with gentle stroking movements. As your confidence and your baby grows,
include new movements, using the routine to guide you.
Most babies will initially tolerate about 5 minutes before they become restless;
this is perfectly normal - build up slowly.

You will find that your baby enjoys certain movements more than others. If you get
to a movement your baby does not like, go back to a movement he/she enjoys.
If your baby becomes upset, stop, comfort your baby and continue if appropriate.

If massaged regularly you will find your baby will soon become used to the routine.

Baby massage is usually calming and relaxing for most babies and the routine is,
therefore, better performed at night before bed. For this reason a lot of parents
like to include baby massage as part of a bed time routine.
Again it is a personal choice and has to be the right time for you both....ENJOY

The following pages illustrate a baby massage

routine from start to finish.
You can make the routine longer or shorter
depending on how much time you have
and what mood your baby is in.

ENSURE YOU ARE SITTING COMFORTABLY AND RELAXED.

6
 LEGS
Most babies enjoy having their legs massaged.
The movements are good for your baby’s circulation,
muscle tone and skin condition.
1
2
STROKING - to apply oil or
cream, stroke down both legs

MILKING - ‘milk’ hand

over hand by gently
drawing the leg through
your hands,repeat on the
other leg.

3 CALF CIRCLE - with two fingers

circle up the inner calf from 4
ankle to knee and glide back
down, repeat on the other leg.

LOWER LEG CIRCLE - with

thumbs circle up either side
of the shin bone from ankle
to knee and glide back down,
repeat on other leg.

5 INNER THIGH - gently abduct the

hip and leg up and outwards 6
(do not force any movements),
massage inner thigh,
gently shake leg down,
repeat on other leg.

HIP - gently bend knee up

and onto tummy, massage
hip area, gently shake leg
down, stroking as No:1,
repeat on other leg.

7
7
FROG - gently abduct hips
8
and legs outwards and
massage down the legs,

FEET CLAPPING - holding

feet clap together, rocking
up and down.

9
ROCKING - gently rock legs 10
side to side, from one side
right across to the other.

LOWER BACK - slightly raise

legs and massage base of
the back, shake legs down.

Repeat No:1 - Stroking

8
 FEET
Again most babies enjoy having their feet massaged
but some babies who are not used to massage may start
to get fed up at his stage. Don’t worry, this is normal.
Try to massage your baby each day and you will find he/she
will become used to the routine and you will
both enjoy the session.
Go at your own pace and listen to your baby.
Stop if he/she becomes fretful, then go back to a part of the
massage your baby liked or just cuddle him/her.

1
STROKING - stroke the
foot hand over hand.

3
TOP - finger circle
over the top of the foot.

ANKLE - finger circle around both

sides of the ankle.

9
4

SOLE - finger circle over

the sole of the foot.

5
TOES - roll and pull
each toe. As your baby
gets older you can
play ‘This little piggy’.

TOPS - massage between

and the tops of the toes.

Repeat No:1 - Stroking

10
 TUMMY
Apply more oil/cream to your hands
The tummy massage can be particularly useful for babies
with wind, colic or constipation or to help prevent these conditions.
If your baby does suffer from any of these conditions it is
advisable to perform this massage when your
baby is happy and comfortable.
(e.g. In the morning when changing your baby’s nappy)
Your baby will not enjoy this massage if he/she is unhappy or in pain.

1 HAND PLACE - gently place

your hand on the tummy 2
so your baby adjusts to the
warm weight of your hand

SMALL CIRCLE - gently circle

with fingers clockwise around
your baby’s navel.

3 LARGE CIRCLE - continue to

circle clockwise but make a 4
larger circle with pads of your
fingers around sides of
tummy and under rib cage.

SLIDE - using your left hand

slide across your baby’s
tummy and glide back.

11
5
SIDES - stroke inwards and
downwards.

I LOVE YOU - a deeper massage for

babies with wind, colic or constipation.
I...firmly stroke down your 1
baby’s tummy from under
the ribs tracing the letter ‘I’.
This will encourage
contents of the Descending
Colon downwards.
2

LOVE...firmly stroke from

opposite corner across and
down tracing the shape
of an ‘L’ for LOVE.
This will encourage the
bowel contents across the
Transverse Colon and down.
3

YOU...firmly stroke from the

right lower side of your baby’s
tummy up, under the ribs,
across and down tracing the
shape of a ‘U’ for YOU.
This will encourage the bowel
contents up the Ascending
Colon, across and down.

Repeat No:3 - Large Circle

12
 CHEST & ARMS
Apply more oil/cream to your hands.
The chest and arm massage is good for opening out the rib cage
and chest capacity and therefore for the lung capacity.
If your baby is snuffly or has had a cold the
‘Pitter Patter’ movement can be performed 1

more firmly to stimulate and dislodge any

mucous. Again it is fun to incorporate
games like Wind the Bobbin or
Wheels on the Bus. SHOULDERS - glide up the
chest and over the shoulders.

2
ARMS DOWN - glide up
the chest over the 3
shoulders and down
the arms.

ARMS OUT - glide up

the chest over the
shoulders and take the
arms out to the sides.

4 ARMS UP - glide up the

chest, over the shoulders 5
and take the arms
above the head.

PITTER PATTER - using

finger tips ‘pitter patter
rain drops’ over whole
of your baby’s rib cage.

13
6 MILKING - ‘milk’ hand over hand
by gently drawing the arm
through your hands, 7
repeat on the other arm.

HANDS - using your

thumbs, circle palms
of your baby’s hands.

CLAPPING -
clap hands together

SO BIG - take arms

up and out...
saying ”SO BIG”.

10

WIND THE BOBBIN or

WHEELS ON THE BUS -
winding hands
round and round.

Repeat No:2 - Arms Down

14
 BACK
Turn your baby over and place on his/her tummy with the arms in front.
Little babies will automatically turn their heads to the side
while older babies will lift their upper body up.
It is good to place your baby on his/her tummy to
encourage upper body strength and prepare for crawling.
Often babies with tummy ache like the pressure on their tummy.
Try lying your baby on his/her tummy across your knees and back patting.
‘Tummy Time’ is good but NEVER put your baby on his/her tummy to sleep.
Apply more oil/cream to your hands.

1
STROKING - hand over hand 2
stroke down your baby’s back

PITTER PATTER - using finger

tips ‘pitter patter rain drops’
over whole of the rib cage.

3
BASE - circular massage base
of spine with finger tips or 4
heal of your hand.

MILKING - milk down one leg

and repeat on the other.

15
5
6
HIP - gently bend heel
of foot onto buttock
and then massage
the hip.

FEET - thumb circle

soles of the feet.

7 TOP TO TOE - using finger tips

stroke your baby from top of
the head to bottom of feet.

LOVELY!

16
 The routine shown is intended as a guide.
It can be adapted to suite you and your baby’s needs.
Some days you may want to lengthen or
shorten the session depending on how much time
you have and what mood your baby is in.
You will find as your baby grows you will adapt and work
with the routine to meet your changing needs.

The main aim is to

Enjoy
BABY
MASSAGE
Enjoy your baby...Enjoy your special time together.
 Suggested Further Reading

Peter Walker
The Practical Art of Baby Massage.
Carroll & Brown Publishers Ltd.
ISNB : 1-903258-10-3

Dr Alan Heath & Nicki Bainbridge

Baby Massage. The Calming Power of Touch.
Dorling Kindersley.
ISNB : 0-17513-0843-9

Helen McGuinness
Baby Massage. A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Instructors.
Hodder & Stoughton
ISNB : 0-340-86928-3

Fredrick Leboyer
The Traditional Art of Baby Massage.
Newmarket Press
ISNB : 1-5570-314-0

Dr Sally Ward
Baby Talk.
Random House Group Ltd.
ISNB : 1-874353-02-6

Research Articles
As mentioned earlier there are numerous research articles published on baby massage.
Many can be found by accessing PubMed library (a free database accessing the MEDLINE database of
citations, abstracts and some full text articles on life sciences and biomedical topics).
The Cochrane library (an independent collaboration producing best available evidence for health care
decision making) provided a systematic review of infant massage studies in 2006.
The review – ‘Massage intervention for promoting mental and physical health in infants aged under 6
months’, was published by Warwick Medical School, university of Warwick, UK,
by Angela Underdown, Barlow J, Chung V, Stewart-Brown S.
It concluded that there was evidence of the benefits of infant massage on mother-infant interaction,
sleeping and crying, and on hormonal influencing stress levels. This article abstract can be seen on
PubMed by searching – ‘Infant massage. A Underdown’
ENJOY BABY MASSAGE

When no one’s looking Erin does it herself!

Copyright Helen Carr 2007. Edited 2017