Baby Massage Routine

Here is an easy baby massage routine for you to try, either on your own little one or on the small child of a friend or client. Make sure that you use a firm touch but don't be rough. Be gentle, but don't be afraid that the infant will break. He won't.

Of course, if you are an experienced mom or dad, you will not have the fear of breaking a baby.

Try to perform the infant massage when the baby is fairly calm such as right before naptime or shortly after waking up.

While the infant is lying on his back, use light fingertips and run them over his chest, tummy, and face. This portion of the massage should not be firm.

Then place your hands on the sides of his abdomen and using your thumbs, move them over his abdomen in an up and out motion. Then bring the thumbs back down over the skin. You may need to use lotion smoothed on the abdomen for this. Repeat the move 5 times. This portion of the massage routine is good for the abdominal organs.

With your thumbs, using medium pressure, make small circles in the fatty portions of the infant's bottom. Do not pick the thumbs up off of the skin, but move the tissue under the skin in little circular motions.

Knead the thighs up and down using your fingertips, a few times.

Grasp the lower leg and gently push the knee up toward the chest. Then gently stretch the leg out straight again. While you do this move, use your other hand to hold the opposite hip to keep the baby still.

Then wrap up the routine by gently massaging the toes and feet. This will calm the little one and he/she will be ready for sleepy-bye time.

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