| Those who regularly undergo massage therapy, | | | | may make your baby ticklish. The right pressure |
| such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage | | | | for very young babies can be gauged by pressing |
| and sports massage, know how good it feels and | | | | on your own closed eyelids. Older babies can |
| how beneficial it is to the body. But did you know | | | | enjoy a little more pressure. By this time, |
| that massage therapy is good for babies, too? | | | | you’ve already had enough experience |
| Women who have received pregnancy massage | | | | handling your baby and will know what kind of |
| will see this as a natural extension of the | | | | touch he or she can enjoy. Keep on observing the |
| massage benefits their babies received while still in | | | | baby’s reactions, though. Stop when you see |
| the womb. Even if you have never had a | | | | that the baby feels uncomfortable. |
| massage therapy session before in Hyde Park, | | | | Learn the specific massage techniques and |
| Macdill AFB, Downtown Tampa and South Tampa | | | | strokes to use on your baby through articles and |
| 33629, though, it’s not too late to experience | | | | books. Do only what you feel safe doing. You will |
| it for yourself. Once you have proven its benefits, | | | | build more confidence as you and your baby begin |
| you will realize how good it can be for your own | | | | to do it regularly. |
| baby, too. | | | | Schedule half an hour of massage time with your |
| You don’t have to bring your baby to a | | | | baby, making sure it is not immediately after a |
| massage spa or a professional massage therapist. | | | | feeding or too close to the next one. You |
| Giving your own baby a massage is good for | | | | don’t want the baby to be too full or hungry |
| both of you. It’s relaxing and fun, enabling | | | | and irritable. Focus on baby with good thoughts |
| you to get to know each other better and enjoy | | | | and a happy mellow mood so that baby will |
| each other in quality time. Indeed, it is one of the | | | | absorb positive energy from you. Turn off |
| best bonding experiences you can have with your | | | | distractions like the television. Soothing music in |
| baby. Furthermore, giving baby a massage has | | | | the background would be best. |
| been reported to be a good way for mothers to | | | | Make sure that the room is comfortably warm |
| combat postnatal depression. It’s a win-win | | | | since you will be undressing your baby for the |
| situation since it improves the baby’s | | | | massage. Check that there are absolutely no |
| circulation, breathing, digestion and overall growth. | | | | draughts that could chill your baby. |
| It is also especially effective for sensory and | | | | Put your baby on a firm but cushioned surface. |
| muscle stimulation in babies with developmental | | | | Make sure that baby cannot roll off. You will be |
| disabilities and Down's syndrome. | | | | using massage oil so your hands and the |
| Some authorities believe that babies should be | | | | baby’s body will be slippery. Ensure |
| massaged only from three to four months and | | | | baby’s safety above all. Use only pure natural |
| not as newborns. Others feel that massage should | | | | oil that is safe even on baby skin and even if |
| begin immediately after delivery, as a transition | | | | licked by the baby. Pure almond oil is one of the |
| from the womb. It helps counter colic which | | | | recommended oils for this purpose. |
| usually occurs before the baby’s thid month. | | | | If you tire yourself out massaging your baby, get |
| Massage is even said to be especially beneficial to | | | | yourself a massage therapy session, too, in Hyde |
| premature babies. | | | | Park, Macdill AFB, Downtown Tampa and South |
| Of course, baby massage should always be very | | | | Tampa 33629. You’ll both feel blissful. |
| gentle, but neither should it be too light since this | | | | |