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BABY MASSAGE

·                 A massage can be soothing for a distressed baby.

 

·                 There is no right or wrong way to massage, just whatever suits both of you, and remember stop when either of you cease to enjoy the massage.

 

·                 A massage can be done at any time.  Keep interruptions low by taking the telephone off the hook and putting a  "BUSY WITH BABY"  sign on the door.

 

·                 Any room is suitable as long as it is warm enough for baby to be comfortably undressed for a while.  Choose a height that is comfortable for you, avoid bending.

 

Oil massage.

 

You will need a large fluffy towel and some vegetable oil. Put  small amount into a dish.  Undress baby (you might like to give a warm bath first if you have time) and place on towel, remembering to keep baby covered when you are doing areas like the head.  Dip your fingers into the oil, warm the oil by rubbing your hands together.  Using gentle long strokes massage into baby's body, remember to talk or sing to baby.  A bright coloured toy to look at when baby is on his tummy may help.  A circular movement on the buttocks and massaging the soles of the feet can be soothing.

 

A position that can be useful when baby has some tummy discomfort is, sitting on the floor with your back against a wall and your knees up.  Place baby on your knees, either face to face, supporting your baby's head, or with baby lying on your chest, so your chest acts as a support to the baby's head.  Gently massage the tummy in a clockwise direction.

 

A good massage for colic.

 

Imagine a large "U" upside down on the baby's abdomen.  This is the large intestine or colon, along which gas must pass;  beginning on baby's right moving across their middle and down their left side until it exits through the rectum.  By firmly and deeply massaging with your flattened fingers in a circular motion you can move gas pockets along this path.  You can use the "I Love You" method.  Start with a single downward stroke for the 'I' on your babies left side.  Then do an upside down 'L' for the love.  Finally do the whole upside down 'U' for the you, as you stroke again along the babies right side across the middle segment and down the left side.  (see diagram A)

 

Diagram A               I                                                     L                                                U

                 

 

Relaxation Bath.

 

  1. Take the telephone off the hook!   Make sure there are no drafts.

 

  1. The temperature of the room needs to be comfortable for the baby.  Remember you have been moving around and will feel warmer than baby.

 

  1. Have a fluffy towel that is large enough ready and whatever creams or lotions you are going to use, on hand.

 

4.      Have the bath at a height that is comfortable for you so you don't have to bend,   and put the cold water in first.  Check the temperature of the bath with your forearm and then put in your bathing solution (if required).

 

  1. Lift baby with your hand behind the shoulders with a grip on the arm furthest away from you, with the head resting on your wrist and the other hand holding the baby under the buttocks.

 

  1. Place the baby in the bath maintaining your hold behind the shoulders with the head resting on your wrist, let baby float in the water.

 

  1. Try a gentle rocking backwards and forwards in the bath.  If baby is drawing knees up, gentle strokes on the abdomen may help relax baby, remember to talk and smile to them. 

 

  1. Placing your hand under the buttocks, lift baby out and wrap in the towel.

 

You can do this at any time of the day, it can be very useful if baby is unsettled.

 

 

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