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Top parenting stories this week
Newborn Baby Massage
Infant massage is a great way to bond with your newborn. Here is what you need to know to get started.
by: Nancy Ripton
In This Article
Baby Massage
- Five to 10 minutes of gentle daily touch can stimulate digestion, boost immunity, and prepare your baby’s body for deeper more restful sleep.
- Avoid scented massage oils until your baby is at least three months of age.
- As a general rule, up strokes are stimulating to the nervous system and down strokes are calming.
- The legs are least sensitive area of the body and a great place to start out your massage.
- Try to do your baby’s massage at the same time each day.
ewborn massage is a great way to bond with your baby and enhance communication through touch. But baby massage has many more benefits. Just five to 10 minutes of gentle daily touch can stimulate digestion, boost immunity, and prepare your baby’s body for deeper more restful sleep. Here’s how to get started with your little one:
Start Early
“Start as soon after birth as possible,” says Teresa Kirkpatrick-Ramsey, founder of Baby’s First Massage. The exception is premature babies, which may find the act of massage over-stimulating until they are medically stable or at least 32 weeks gestation. Your baby should be in an open crib and competently feeding before you start baby massage.
