Infant massage offers many benefits to both you and your baby. Massage can encourage a baby's weight gain, help digestion, ease gas discomfort, promote a restful sleep and even increase a baby's brain development. Massage can also help you by reducing stress hormones and providing an opportunity to bond with your baby. There are many massage methods to choose from. Find varieties that are both enjoyable to you and your baby.
Milk
Try massaging your baby using a gentle milking motion. To do this massage method, the Babyzone website says to lay your baby on his back. Starting at your baby's right shoulder, gently massage downward. Use your fingers and thumb to create a "bracelet" around his upper arm. Gently squeeze down on your baby's arm, using a milking motion until you reach your baby's hand. Start over on your baby's left shoulder. When done with the arms, move to the legs, starting the milking motions at his hip. Work down to his feet and continue with the opposite leg.
Tummy Massage
To gently massage your baby's tummy, the Parents website recommends placing your palms flat on your baby's tummy. Begin at the base of your baby's rib cage, stroking downward with the right hand, then the left. The goal is to move your hands in a wheel-like motion. Move down to your baby's tummy, using your fingertips massage in a slow, circular motion. Use the "I Love U" stroke, tracing the letter "I" on her left side. Trace an "L" along the bottom of her rib cage from the right to the left, then down. Make a "U" starting on your baby's lower right side, then up over the navel and down the left side. Circle clockwise around her navel and then gently grasp her knees and feet together, pressing them toward her abdomen. Rotate your baby's hips to the right a couple of times. Then put your hand on her stomach and gently rock your hand back and forth several times.
Roll
According to the Babyzone website, you can use a rolling motion to massage your baby. Lay him on his back before you begin. Beginning at his hip, use both of your hands to gently rock his left leg until you reach his hip. Imagine you are rolling out a tube of dough. Work down his right leg in the same fashion. Then move to the shoulders and repeat, rolling your hands down to his ankles.
