Building Strong Parent-Child Bonds with Infant Massage

• Choose a quiet, warm place to sit and relax with your baby when they are not too hungry or tired. 
• Begin by being present and taking deep breaths to relax.
• Pay attention to your baby. Look into your baby’s eyes. Your baby will sense how you are feeling.
• Try to use a light, organic massage oil such as olive oil, grape seed oil, or avocado oil. Not too much, just enough to make your hands smooth.
• Talk to your baby! Tell your baby what you are doing when you are doing it in a soft, comforting voice. Ask your baby’s permission before touching or moving her.
• Start at your baby's feet and legs. Gently massage their legs and feet with long, calm movements. 
• From there, you can work your way up their body, being careful to avoid sensitive areas, like their belly button if their cord hasn't healed yet.
• Read your baby’s cues. Willingness cues might include smiling, cooing, or making eye contact. Unwillingness cues might include grimacing, hiccoughs, turning head away, or arching of the back. When any of these unwillingness cues occur, stop and try again at a different time in the day.
• Make infant massage part of your daily routine. You can incorporate the massage during the morning to start the day or at night before bedtime to help soothe your baby to sleep. 
• Choose a time that you are not rushed and do your best to massage your baby around the same time every day.

Remember, the most important part of an infant massage is your connection with your baby. While infant massages can provide a number of health benefits, those only work if you and your baby are both comfortable and happy. If you have more questions about infant massage or your baby's development, the About Play team is here to help.