Infant Massage
Promotion of nurturing touch
How to massage your baby:
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Ensure that your baby is in a safe environment with minimal noise and dim lighting.
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Position your baby in a supine position (tummy facing up) so they are able to achieve eye contact throughout the massage.
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The initial touch should be firm yet gentle, slow, steady, and rhythmical.
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Legs are a great place to start ** ​
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Moving from the legs, work your way to your baby's feet, arms, hands, neck, face, back, etc. ​​​
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How long the massage should last:
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The massage should last between 15-30 minutes depending on their response and cues.
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If your baby is showing any of the following signs of stress or discomfort, provide a break or end the massage
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Signs of distress​
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sneezing​
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excessive yawning
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grimacing
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crying
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spitting up
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hiccuping
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pulling away from your touch
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(Brander, 2016)
Just a sweet video to make you smile!
Additional Resources
Occupational Therapist interviews a NICU RN on the benefits of infant massage
Tutorial on infant massage
The information contained in this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care or advice from your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may have specific recommendations based on your child's individual circumstances.
References
Brander, T. (2016). The benefits of infant massage. Hand to Hold. Retrieved from https://handtohold.org/benefits-infant-massage/