Baby Massage Movements
First ask your baby permission - look out for their positive cues indicating that you can begin massage. Warm up a little organic, vegetable oil in your palms, showing your baby you are getting ready.
LEGS - (massage one leg at a time)
Indian Milking - downward stroke as if 'removing' from the body. One hand holds the ankle whilst the other hand glides down from thigh to toes. Alternate each hand. Minimum 3 strokes.
Sole Stroke - From heel to toes, using thumbs sweep along sole of the foot, repeating at least 3 times.
Toes - sing 'This Little Piggy' remembering that baby piggy goes to sleep!
Top of Foot - using thumbs sweep inwards towards ankle
Swedish Milking - upward stroke as if 'returning' towards the body. The reverse of Indian Milking.
Jelly in The Dish - sandwich thigh between you palms and 'wibble wobble' down to foot and back again, singing, "Jelly in the Dish, Jelly in the Dish, Wibble Wobble, Wibble Wobble, Jelly in the Dish"
TUMMY - provides relief for colic, constipation and trapped wind, and stimulates the digestive system
always clockwise around your baby's tummy
Water Wheel - hands follow each other as they 'paddle' down.
Wake Up Intestine - thumbs to side horizontally across tummy
Knees Up - gently bring knees up towards chest to 'move' position of intestine
BACK - great for relaxation
Back and Forth - sweeping movements across back gliding downwards from nape of neck to buttocks
Swoop - from neck to buttocks, swoop downwards
Comb - combing motion with your fingertips, begin firm and lessen your touch as you reach the end of the session
REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR BABY FOR ALLOWING YOU TO MASSAGE THEM!