Katie Whitehouse is an experienced massage therapist, aromatherapist and massage teacher. She is also founder of Vital Touch – creators of the Natalia range of natural & organic products for pregnancy, birth and new parenthood. Natalia is available from the TreeHugger Mums online store and from the THM shop in Newport, Shropshire.


In other cultures, such as in India, baby massage is taken for granted. In England, awareness of baby massage and its benefits are increasing, but there is still a long way to go before it becomes a natural part of every new life. Baby massage is all about communication between parent and baby. In a baby massage class parents are encouraged to observe and understand their baby’s cues as well as how to massage them. Initial permission to touch is always obtained by recognition of these cues, as a baby will let you know if they are in the mood for massage and when they have had enough. It is also a time where “Parentese”, the melody of baby talk can be encouraged. Massage need not be a serious, silent ritual, but should be fun, full of laughter singing and playing. The baby will join in by moving, smiling or cooing.

Baby massage classes provide a space and time when both parent and baby can themselves experience containment. Mothers experiencing depression (as many as 10-15%) can value finding a setting in which they can feel to some degree “held” where they can be listened to or can listen to others or can just be. Baby massage is not just for mothers though - Fathers who massage their babies are rewarded by greater positive response from them. This improved early communication can have a profound effect on the future relationship between parent and child.

There are now baby massage classes running in most towns in the UK (see below for details). At home, though, you can follow some simple guidelines. Massaging your baby is instinctive and natural.

Are you relaxed? Shake the tension out of your arms and hands and take 3 deep breaths, letting go of tension with each out breath.

Understand that just 5 minutes of massage is a long time for a baby. Build up the length of massage sessions gradually over time. Massage strokes should be slow, soothing and gentle and if your baby shows any signs of distress stop straight away and try again another time. First warm some oil between your hands.

Legs
Take one leg and give it a gentle shake.
With one hand holding the ankle, use the other to glide up the front and down the back of the leg.
Then gently stroke the whole leg again, hand over hand from hip to foot.

Feet
By massaging the feet, we relax the whole body.
Using your thumbs, massage the sole of the foot with little circles. Be firm so it does not tickle.

Toes
Play with and pull on each toe gently between your forefinger and thumb. Play “This Little Piggy”.

Repeat the Leg, feet and toes massage with the other leg and foot.

Ripple
Hold both ankles and send a gentle ripple through the body – make it fun!

Keep taking more oil as you need it.

Tummy
If your baby has just been fed, it will be better to leave out this part of the massage until next time.
Use the weight of your RELAXED hand to stroke in big clockwise circles around the tummy. Start very lightly, and increase the pressure slightly as your baby’s tummy relaxes.

Hold your baby’s ankles or lower legs, and gently allow their legs to bend so that their knees move towards their chest. This can relieve wind. Be very sensitive to your baby’s responses. Also, keep a nappy handy!
and keep it fun.

Arms
Open and cross their arms across the chest—this will relax the shoulders (do not force them) and can be fun.

Back
Turning your baby over onto their tummy for a bit is beneficial as it gives them a chance to strengthen their neck and back muscles. It is also important for development of co-ordination. Stroke gently down their back, hand over hand, avoiding the spine.


Massage for grown up babies
We live in a touch deprived busy world. Whether we were massaged as babies or not, and whether or not we massaged our own babies…. in my experience it is never too late to start.

It can be very simple to bring massage and positive touch into our everyday life. With the clear boundary that touch must always be wanted and that we should be able to say no to unwanted touch, I believe that a profound difference could be made very simply.

You could try…..

Do you know or visit someone who is elderly and possibly rarely touched? Possibly your own parent or grandparent? Next time you visit – offer them a hand massage. It is unintrusive but really relaxing and easy to carry on talking while you do it. Before your children go to sleep, offer them a very gentle soothing back massage. Simply stroke downwards from head/neck to the base of their spine. You can do this over pyjamas so they are able to stay relaxed and drop off to sleep.
Offer your partner a 5 minute neck and shoulder massage. If you are the parent of a baby – try the massage routine and contact a baby massage class.


You can find a baby massage instructor near to you by looking on www.GICM.org.uk  (Guild of Infant Massage) or www.IAIM.org.uk  (International Association of Infant Massage)