6 useful tips for baby massage

1) Right time for the baby massage

Before you start the baby massage, you should make sure that your baby is not too tired or hungry. It then becomes restless and cannot enjoy the massage. However, it is also not advisable to have a massage immediately after eating, as your child could vomit. Also remember that the massage should be fun for your baby. If your child doesn’t feel like getting a massage, there’s no point in forcing them to. In the worst case, they may even refuse the massage altogether after a negative experience.

You should also be in the right mood to massage your baby. If it doesn’t suit you at the moment and you just “push in” the baby massage, it will probably not be a relaxing experience for you or your baby.

2) Comfortable temperature

Since your child is mostly naked during the massage, you should make sure that the room temperature is around 25°C. In this way you can prevent your baby from starting to freeze or even getting cold. Depending on which part of the body you are massaging, you can cover your baby with a towel or a thin blanket in between. So that the massage is particularly pleasant for your baby, it is recommended that you warm up your hands a little beforehand. Simply rub them together for a while or hold them under warm water for a short time.

3) Comfortable position

Before you start the massage, you should lay your baby down comfortably. For example, use a soft changing pad that you cover with a towel. You can also lay your baby on your outstretched legs. Here, too, it is advisable to put a towel underneath so that your clothes are protected from oil stains. Also, make sure you are comfortable yourself. You too can relax during the massage and enjoy it together with your baby.

During the massage, your baby’s face is best turned towards you and their feet are touching your stomach.

4) Use massage oil

Before the baby massage, you should oil your child generously but gently so that your hands can easily slide over the little body and you don’t accidentally pinch small skin folds. Baby oil also moisturizes and softens your child’s sensitive skin.

So that the oiling is pleasant for your child, it is advisable to warm up the baby oil a little beforehand. You can do this, for example, by heating the bottle in a water bath.
Important: Be sure to check the temperature of the massage oil before you rub it on your baby! It should roughly match your body temperature.

5) Apply grips correctly

Many parents shy away from massaging their baby when they are very young for fear of hurting them. However, this concern is mostly unfounded. The most important thing is that you perform all movements very slowly and gently. The tender touch is the focus of the baby massage.
Note: The spine is still very sensitive in newborns and babies. Therefore, you should avoid massaging them if possible.

The stomach should always be massaged in a clockwise direction, as this corresponds to the course of the intestine. In this way, any air bubbles can be gently “massaged” out of the stomach and flatulence can be alleviated if necessary.

You should also pay attention to symmetry during the baby massage. If you massage the left arm five times, you should do the same with the right one. This is how the body stays in balance. However, always pay attention to your baby’s reaction and adjust your touch accordingly.

6) Not too long

Even if a baby massage is a great experience together, you should take it slow in terms of duration. Therefore, limit the massage time to about five minutes in the first two months after the birth. This way your baby will not be overwhelmed with too many sensory stimuli and can fully enjoy the massage. After the second month of life you can slowly increase the massage time. Then a baby massage can sometimes last 20 minutes. However, always pay attention to your child’s behavior. If you notice that it is getting restless and no longer gets involved in the massage, it is better to shorten it.

In principle, a baby massage is a very individual process to which every baby reacts differently. If you observe your baby closely and respond to his preferences, nothing can actually go wrong. If you are still unsure, you can also take a baby massage course. Such courses are often offered by midwives, for example. If you and your baby both enjoy the massage, you can continue the massage into childhood. This will strengthen the relationship between you in the long term and you can show your child your affection in a very special way.

Here you will find many more helpful tips on how to get a grip on digestive problems in your baby and yourself.