When to massage
What you need
Step by step baby massage
Being touched, stroked and held is one of our basic human needs. This need starts from birth and continues throughout our lives. Babies' benefit from being cuddled touched and loved. They grow, develop and thrive on these interactions. They can also enjoy the skin to skin contact, touching and stroking involved in using massage. Baby massage has been part of several cultures for many years. In some countries, babies are routinely massaged daily, from the time of their birth. Often this is initially given by the midwife, then the mother (or the extended family), carry out the daily massaging. Some Asian countries incorporate firm Shiatsu pressure points as part of their massage technique.
Touching is a way of expressing tenderness, love and compassion. It can also be used as a tool to help soothe and comfort a crying baby. Massage is a way of communicating with your baby, and for your baby to communicate with you. This can be demonstrated when they reach out to touch you, show their delight, or become soothed by your touch. Massage can also help increase a parent's confidence in their new role of caring for their baby. It may allow a special 'quiet time' together, when you can get to know each other better.
Baby massage in western countries has become very popular in the last decade or so.