Anyone who regularly reads this blog will know I’m a huge baby massage advocate. Natural skin care is an obsession of mine so massaging my two when they’re super relaxed after a bath is one of those things we just do.

Although Heidi’s night terrors are well documented on this blog, and I can’t pretend massage is a miracle cure when it comes to sleep (for us at least), I can say that she has always had a beautiful temperament and is a truly happy baby. She rarely cries, has a healthy appetite and an excellent appreciation of food that makes us so proud. She’s only had the odd bout of constipation when she’s been under the weather and colic didn’t ever trouble her either. We attribute massage to so much of what has made Heidi the baby she is today, and some of my most precious (and hilarious) moments have been spent massaging her. Her smiles seem a little wider, that giggle really sets in, and we’ve dislodged the odd fart here and there too.

Yet we’re not alone in acknowledging the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. It features heavily in antenatal classes and pregnancy pamphlets and, for generations, parents in eastern cultures have demonstrated this by carrying their infants on their backs or chests as they go about their day. Although I read attachment parenting guides and physically shudder at some of the principles, I have to agree with this one - the benefits of massage and regular skin-to-skin time are just too exhaustive for one blog post.

Nevertheless if you’re new to parenthood, only just beginning to look into it, or are yet to consider it - here’s a brief summary of why baby massage is so amazing:

As you adjust to a new regime of on-demand feeding, wiping bums and interrupted sleep, you may feel as though your bond with baby is somewhat frayed. One-on-one time aside from the regular responsibilities of parenting, can be rejuvenating and ultimately lead to a happier, more relaxed mum. If you’re breastfeeding this also has the hidden benefit of intensifying prolactin secretion and thus your milk will be far easier released.

There’s also a whole host of research to suggest that close physical contact from birth results in calmer, more emphatic adults. Baby feels comforted and reassured, and is therefore less prone to bursts of panic in-between feeding and snuggling. In fact, massage encompasses all of the core principles of fostering a stronger bond with baby: prolonged eye contact, allowing early imitation of your expressions and also enveloping baby in your unique scent - this is particularly soothing for babies who have experienced a traumatic birth.

Regular effective massage can also lead to the alleviation of colic & constipation as it helps an immature digestive system break down and better deal with trapped wind and nutrients. Better yet, it can also lead to better quality and more prolonged sleep as it increases baby’s appetite while also encouraging the release of enzymes that digest food. This leaves baby better nourished and fuller for longer, promoting deeper sleep at night.

Physically, there are also studies that suggest that regular massage guards against infections by strengthening the immune system, and also encourages joint flexibility, suppleness and muscle tone.

Finally, massage also promotes sensory development and body awareness, and ultimately provides baby with a sense of spatial awareness. This may have the additional benefit of helping them to refine gross & fine motor skills.

Don’t forget Dad! Craig and I take it in turns to massage the children. By ritualising the massage in this way, it reinforces a sense of routine and repetition that babies love. Dad’s bond with baby is also magnified and he gets to feel needed and appreciated (this can be really life-affirming if Dad is lacking in confidence, or feeling like a ‘spare part’ as he doesn’t have lactating breasts!)

The massage

As when we nip to the spa, creating a relaxing environment for baby is essential. Post bath massage is so brilliant as your baby should be warm, relaxed and able to better appreciate the continuity (over time). Having recently worked with JOHNSON’S® Baby I’d happily recommend JOHNSON’S® TOP-TO-TOE® Baby Bath (RRP £3.49), which is clinically proven to be as safe and mild as water for newborn skin from their very first day. This gently cleanses newborn skin and doubles as a bath foam, leaving a smattering of tiny bubbles to add to the sensory experience.

Once out of the bath, I give my two monkeys a cuddle in a towel and lay them on our bed. Over time this spot has become synonymous with massaging and I’d recommend this to anyone. Babies LOVE repetition so try to do your massages in the same place every time (familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt). Try also to keep the temperate suitably warm as babies lose heat far quicker than we do and you’ll want them to be comfortable as they lay there in the buff! This is also quiet time so there’s no television or extra sensory stimulation that can act as a distraction.

You’ll then want to warm a small amount of oil in your hands so as not to startle baby with cold hands JOHNSON’S® Baby Oil (RRP £2.49) is ideal as it’s especially developed for newborn skin and creates a light protective barrier that locks in more than double the moisture of baby lotion. It also leaves Heidi’s skin soft-to-touch and really enhances that newborn smell we all can’t get enough of (even at 1.5 years she still smells good enough to eat!).

As regards massage technique, this is something I’ll cover more extensively in a later post. In its crudest sense, a good massage should include connecting strokes, effleurage, petrissage and friction, and there are a wealth of resources out there to help you hone your baby massage technique. My best advice is not to attempt anything that seems a little ambitious without thoroughly researching it first.

There you go - reasons to regularly massage your little miracle, and ways to make it extra special for her! Find out more about the benefits of baby massages with JOHNSON’S® Baby on the website, or join them on Facebook for more tips and advice on all things baby.

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