Baby Massage

T	TIME Babies respond best to a massage when they are awake but calm.  After a feeding or after a bath are good times
O	ONLY use a creme or oil specially  made for babies or something safe enough to put in your mouth (Baby lotion, massage oil or cooking oil)
U	UNDERSTAND your babies signals.  Stop the massage if the baby seems fussy or uncomfortable.
C	COVER the body parts you are not massaging with a light blanket, towel or sheet.  Some babies, especially very young babies, do not like being undressed.
H	HANDS Your hands should be relaxed when giving a massage.  Use only gently pressure – like water falling softly on the baby’s skin.

A class, book or video or a massage therapist can teach you many techniques to calm your baby. Your parent educator, health care provided, or childbirth educator can help you find local resources.

Adult Books

• Baby Massage
  by Dr Alan Heath and Nicki Bainbedge
• Infant Massage A handbook for Loving Parents
  by Vimala S. McClure

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