Small children need closeness to feel safe and to be able to grow and develop. A great way to build this is through a baby massage! In this article you will find everything you need to know to get started.

An unborn baby is completely enclosed in the womb and it is natural for them to want to maintain that closeness and to be held and caressed as soon as they are born. The skin is the body’s largest sensory organ and sensitivity to touch is one of the earliest functions the body develops – as early as week six the foetus reacts to touch.

Newborn babies use all their senses to seek contact and the closeness they so naturally had. When you are sensitive to all these signals and take care of your child, you show using your eyes, smile and voice that you see and hear your child. This ongoing dialogue confirms and strengthens your relationship. Your child feels safe.

Infant massages contain everything that is important for attachment. Touch is affirmation for your baby who will feel loved by your strong and warm presence. The massage is therefore not a treatment but an opportunity to get to know your child with a loving touch and your total presence. By having this total attention on your child, you become more observant of their signals and can respond to them directly. It is always your child who will act as the guide and it is important to respect and be sensitive to their signals.

If your child is upset and crying or defensive, they will not be receptive to the massage and need comfort in another way. The massage should be a moment of pleasure for both of you and provide a sense of intimacy. The more you are in close contact, the easier it will be for you to understand your child’s needs and you will feel more confident and secure as a parent, deepening your contact and strengthening your bond even more. The basis for self-esteem is laid in the close contact where your child feels loved and respected, which is also important for their ability to be close to others later in life.

All closeness and touch is good and there are no limits to how or how much you can massage and be close to your baby. The skin is so incredibly sensitive and the natural way to comfort and soothe is closeness. We also know that the “calm and relaxation hormone” oxytocin is released during touch and massage, and we cannot get too much of that.

Having peace and quiet is a prerequisite for a nice massage. Listen to soft music or singing during the massage and make sure the place is warm and comfortable. Use a cold-pressed vegetable oil, such as almond oil, and start by applying it to your own hands so they get warm and soft. Your child will eventually recognise that movement and then understand that the massage is happening. In addition to the movement, tell your child about the massage and ask if they are ready for it. If you get a positive response with eye contact and other sensory movements, you can start massaging your baby in a way that feels natural. Use as much oil as is comfortable, but avoid getting oil on their face. Try massaging their legs, stomach, arms and back and do what they shows they like. The way that feels right for you and your child is always the right one.

Although infant massage is not a treatment, abdominal massages can relieve stomach cramps and indigestion if performed preventively and regularly. A paediatric nurse can show you how to do a tummy massage and it may also be found on your health care service’s website.

There is a special method of baby massage that was developed by the American researcher Vimala S McClure. The method is described in the book Infant Massage –A Handbook for Loving Parents and has its origins in India. Baby massage courses are also offered at several nurseries and also by private parties. Many paediatric nurses know about baby massages or have taken a course in them, so please ask your nurse for more information and practical guidance.

The baby massage is “talking to the baby’s skin”, i.e. a language of the senses to communicate with! As much as possible, as often as possible!

GOOD LUCK!