If you’ve ever had a massage yourself, you probably know how wonderful they can make you feel. Massage is just as good for babies – it relaxes and calms them, and helps to promote good sleep patterns, digestion, nerve development and motor skills. Plus, it’s a beautiful way to bond with your little one; the gentle skin-to-skin contact is perfect for helping your baby to feel safe, secure and close to you or your partner.
Of course, baby massages aren’t exactly like the adult version – they’re a lot gentler, for one thing! Here are some tips to help you explore this calming, lovely bonding activity with your baby.
- Pick a time when you and your baby are both in a good mood – no time pressure or stress is needed here! Also, it’s best not to massage your baby straight after a feed or meal; most babies have some degree of reflux, and you might find that what went down comes back up again during the massage!
- The room needs to be warm and cozy, around 24°C, so your baby doesn’t get chilled. Make sure your hands are warm, too, and you’ll probably want to take off any jewellery you’re wearing.
- Get your supplies ready – a nice soft towel and a gentle, natural baby massage oil - like our lovely HiPP baby oil will make the massage comfortable for your baby, and you will also want to have your nappy-changing supplies handy, just in case. Before you begin, warm a small amount of the oil by rubbing it between your hands.
