Massage To Soothe A Restless Baby

Nothing is more stressful and irritating to even the most devoted parent than the constant cry of a baby. Although this massage works miracles, unfortunately it does not guarantee gurgles and smiles. In fact, it is best to practice this soothing massage when your baby is happy and relaxed. If you do it regularly from an early age, then the routine will calm the child before he starts roaring his little lungs out.

To being with, keep each step short and gradually increase the amount of time you spend on any parts he seems to enjoy. The massage uses slow, rhythmic stroking, with the emphasis on holding the baby close so he feels safe, snug and secure. It also gives you the chance to gaze into your baby's eyes and sing, talk, or just look at each other. You can start this massage from four weeks old. Always be very careful not to use downward pressure with any of the movements they should be light, skin strokes that hypnotically relax your baby. Remember it is the slip of the oil, the warmth of your hands, the smell of your skin, the sound of your voice and the rhythm of the movements themselves that work the magic, rather than the actual strokes.

How To Massage A Restless Baby
To ensure that the baby feels comforted, snug and secure, always keep to the same routine until he is used to the massage. Straight after the morning or evening bath is an ideal time to rub in oil, although the stroking will put him to sleep immediately if he is already tired. Once he recognizes this as a special, cuddly routine usually from ten weeks old - you may do it whenever you wish.

Make sure the heating is switched on and the room is cosy so that the baby can be bare without any harm. Nevertheless, you should also wrap areas of skin that are not being stroked in a blanket to keep them warm throughout. Have some tissues or old towels to hand - babies always go to the toilet as soon as you remove a nappy! Finally, before you first do the massage, try out the most comfortable positions for steps five to eight - particularly if you have recently given birth and may be stiff or sore. If it helps, steps five and eight may be done sitting up on your knees, and steps six and seven may be done lying on your side.

1. Before you oil your hands, kneel on the floor and bend forward over the baby, resting your arms on the bed on either side of the his body. Place your palms above his ears with your fingertips touching at the top of the head. Relax in this position so you are comfortable, but leave a gap between you. Gently cup the baby snugly so he feels secure, almost as if he were in the womb. Look into his eyes, smile or talk quietly. After a while, gently stroke from the forehead back to the crown in a rhythmic movement.

2. A Rub a small amount of oil well into your hands, then gently place one hand across the top of the baby's forehead, with thumb on one side, fingers to the other. Gently stroke back over the head right to the crown. Repeat several times in a soothing, slow, light stroke that does not put any pressure on the baby's head. Place your palms around each side of his face and gently move them upwards to the top of the head. Repeat several times.

3. With a little more oil, place your hands on the baby's shoulders and stroke downwards over the chest, tummy, thighs, legs and feet. Repeat many times in a light, flowing rhythmic movement. Then place a cover over the lower half of the body for warmth and finish with a series of shoulder to tummy strokes, one hand after the other, in a continuous movement. Most children relax completely when their tummies are stroked and become so tranquil they hardly move at all.

4. Place your hand on the baby's abdomen between the ribs and, with the gentlest, lightest movement, make sweeping circles in a clockwise direction right around the navel. Use both hands, so that one finishes a circle as the other begins. Do not place any weight downwards at any time. Finish by stroking up and down the tummy with the palm of one hand in a rhythmic, soothing motion as lightly as possible.

5. Now sit yourself comfortably on the bed and pick up the baby, cradling him side-on to your chest with one arm so his head is resting near your heart. Use your other arm to stroke gently down the side of the baby from head to foot. Start with you hand on his head and as you move down, use your wrist and inner arm as part of the stroke. Repeat several times, then swap arms and reverse the baby to stroke the other side.

6. Lean back so that you are comfortably propped against pillows and lay the baby face down against your chest. With more oil on your hands if needed, stroke from the shoulders down the back, over the bottom to the toes. Use a soothing sweep, with one hand starting as the other finishes for a continuous movement, so that you never lose skin-contact with the baby. Keep the same pace and rhythm going throughout and continue as long as you are both enjoying it.

7. In the same position, place a warm cover over the baby and cuddle him to your chest with one hand. Use the other hand to cradle and gently stroke the baby's head from the top down to the nape of the neck. Again, keep a slow, soothing rhythm going throughout.

8. Finish off by sitting up slightly, bending your knees, and as you move the baby away from your chest, wrapping the cover right around him. Let the lower half of the baby's body slide down into your lap; support his head with one hand and his back with the other, so he is 'sitting' facing you. Enjoy some quiet time - look into the baby's eyes, sing, talk, kiss, cuddle or stroke his head if you wish.