Infant Massage – Tips & Tools From A Mom’s Perspective

By Connie Kallevig-Munson

As an expectant parent I immersed myself in various baby books and online forums to learn all that I could about parenting. Our first child was born full-term but I had some complications with my c-section birth that required a bit of a longer hospital stay. I was fortunate enough to be at a larger hospital where classes were taught throughout the week that included infant massage. One of my last days at the hospital I was able to go down to the infant massage class with my new baby and learn some techniques on infant massage.

Upon getting home from the hospital with our first baby (Thea) my husband and I both took time to massage her. Our nightly ritual began just after bath time. I would sit on the floor with my new baby laying on a blanket in front of me. Bath time was a favorite time for her, and the transition out of the bath tub wasn’t always an easy one. Infant massage was one way for me to calm and soothe my baby, while giving another forum for bonding for my husband and I. It didn’t take long to learn what kinds of touches Thea liked best and what techniques were the most soothing to her. As parents we were able to use those cues from our baby to soothe her during times of discomfort, illness and fear. I remember finding it quite funny when our second child was born – after bath time they both would be kicking their legs at me cuing time for leg massages.

Our second child (Grace) was born premature, and she had many medical issues that caused her a lot of discomfort. We used infant massage with Grace frequently, and the results were not as guaranteed as they were with our first child. It was not easy to massage Grace as she was constantly distressed. After time she would recognize the routine of massage and begin to calm down. For her, massaging her tummy was a great relief for gas and constipation during the first 18 months of her life. Infant massage techniques combined with medication for her GER was really the only way she was able to rest comfortably.

Having the techniques of infant massage in our arsenal of comforting tactics made life better for our baby, and it is something we still use today with her as a 3 year old.

As with so many parenting tools – infant massage is different for each child. Our two children were such contrasts in personality and in needs that we used infant massage very differently for each. What I found worked best for both of our children was starting a ritual of massage just after bath time. The bathroom was always a warm and quiet room – perfect for relaxation. I used simple baby lotion, that I let sit in the sink with warm water so it wasn’t cold when I applied it. Each baby liked different songs, so I would usually hum or sing the song to them as I began rubbing their legs in a milking fashion. The milking technique that I was taught was a favorite for both the girls. I would hold their thigh and ankle and begin to gently move the hand that was on the thigh down their leg until it met the hand that was holding their ankle. I’d then place the hand that was holding their ankle to the thigh position and again stroke down repeating the process. My girls would cue me by kicking the other leg when it was time to switch legs. During this time the girls were always wide eyed and excited. I would do the same procedure on their arms and back again to their legs – as that was simply a favorite for them.

Infant massage may sound like a very formal tool by its title. Do not let its title fool you – it is something you can learn easily and do with your baby. Learning some infant massage techniques is something that I tell all new mom’s to be to ready to learn about and jump into. There are countless websites that feature detailed pictures and explanations of the various techniques. There are many books available in the public library, and in book stores on infant massage techniques, and what ailments they work best for. Your pediatrician would also be a good source for massage techniques and classes that may be offered for infant massage in your area. The reason there is such bountiful information on infant
massage is simple – it works!

Resources I’ve Used and Recommend

Websites:

• Parents.com – How to Massage Your Baby
• Parenthood.com – The Joys And Benefits of Infant Massage -this website has great resources listed at the end of it!
• Holistic Pediatric Organization – Infant Massage
• FisherPrice – Infant Massage: The Power of Touch

Books:

• Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger by Helen Garabedian
• Swedish Child Massage: A Family Guide to Nurturing Touch by Lena Jelveus
• Infant Massage — A Handbook For Loving Parents by Vimala Schneider McClure

Connie Kallevig-Munson is a stay at home mom of two girls, Thea is six and Grace is three. She had taken an infant massage class while at the hospital with her first child, but had not been exposed to it professionally. Before staying home with her children, she worked as a Home Visitor for the Healthy Families America program. You can find Connie on twitter @themunsons.

Did you massage your baby? Where did you learn how? What was your favorite time of day for massage? Do you have any tips or tricks to share with our readers? Please leave a comment to share your story!