Infant massage is a great way to bond with your baby. Massages may promote better sleeping, relieve colic, and even enhance your infant’s immune system, motor skills, and intellectual development. Here are some tips and techniques to help you along.<\/p>\n
Items you need<\/strong><\/p>\n How to Massage your Toddler<\/strong><\/p>\n Use a blanket or towel, and massage oil in a non-breakable container. Test the oil on a small spot of your baby’s skin and wait a day to be sure no irritation appears.\u00a0Undress your baby and start massaging section by section.<\/p>\n Tummy<\/em><\/p>\n Massage your baby’s abdomen with your fingertips in a circular, clockwise motion.<\/p>\n Head and Face<\/em><\/p>\n Cradling your baby’s head in both hands, massage the scalp with your fingertips, as if you’re shampooing. Massage the ears too.<\/p>\n Chest<\/em><\/p>\n Place both hands on your baby’s chest and stroke outward from her sternum to her shoulders.<\/p>\n Arms<\/em><\/p>\n With one hand, hold baby’s wrist and stroke down from shoulder to wrist with both hands rotating in opposite directions, as if you were gently wringing a towel.<\/p>\n Back<\/em><\/p>\n Place baby on tummy horizontally in front of you. Keep hands in front of and not sides.<\/p>\n Thighs<\/em><\/p>\n Lift legs by the ankle and relax it by lightly tapping the upper thigh.<\/p>\n General Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n Make strokes gentle but firm, and not ticklish. As seen on Parents Magazine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
\nBuild massage into your baby’s daily schedule.
\nFollow baby’s signals about when to stop. A massage can last 10 minutes or 30 minutes, depending on her moods.<\/p>\n