| Massage benefits individuals of all age groups and | | | | Find a time suitable for you and your baby. Some |
| different conditions. Touch is as important to any | | | | enjoy in the morning after their feed, some in the |
| infants and kids like eating and sleeping. Massaging | | | | afternoon before or after their naps. Massage |
| involves loving, gentle stroking or kneading by a | | | | before bedtime can put a cranky baby to sleep |
| parent or caregiver on various parts of a child's | | | | peacefully. Follow the massage with a warm bath. |
| body like the face, head, arms, shoulders, neck, | | | | While giving a massage, sit straight either on the |
| hands, back, legs and feet. | | | | floor or on the bed or stand before the table. The |
| Use of oils on the body of your precious little | | | | room is warm enough as your little one can shiver |
| ones to soothe, relax and heal affirms a strong, | | | | when undressed. The place where you massage |
| close bond conveying a comforting sense of trust | | | | you baby should be quiet and away from |
| and security. | | | | distractions of all kinds. |
| Early infant massage enhances the development | | | | Lay your child on soft surface like thick set of |
| of the nervous system and stimulates all other | | | | towels so it may not hurt it self when it wriggles |
| systems of the body. It improves circulation, | | | | or squirms. Keep aside towel, pair of wash cloths, |
| respiration, aids digestion and eases elimination of | | | | clean diaper and baby clothes for use after the |
| wastes from the body. It also makes your little | | | | massage. |
| one less prone to gas and colic ailments. Massage | | | | Oils are good for lubrication, helping your hand |
| of baby in its growing years prepares the body | | | | glide smoothly over your baby's soft and rather |
| for sitting, standing and walking. | | | | delicate skin. Small babies have a habit of putting |
| Massage is a wonderful stress buster for children | | | | their hand or fingers in their mouth all the time, so |
| who are prone to all kind of stress. Like a child | | | | it's ideal to use oil that is of good quality. Use cold |
| starting a school in a new area, health, fights | | | | pressed (oils extracted by means of pressure) or |
| amongst parents, exams or peer pressure, etc | | | | unscented oils. Alternatively you can use baby oils |
| produce emotional, physical and mental stress. | | | | produced by many companies which specialize in |
| Massage reduces stress hormones and heals the | | | | baby products. Grape seed oil has nice texture, |
| body. | | | | apricot and almond oils are smooth, light and easily |
| Each child responds differently to massage. Some | | | | absorbable into the body. To massage your |
| may squirm, cry, or some might just appear | | | | babies, use coconut oil in summers and mustard oil |
| more relaxed and calm and also fall asleep. | | | | in winter. |
| There is no fixed time to massage your baby. | | | | |