Everything you need to know about baby massage

What is baby massage?

Baby massage is an ancient tradition practiced all over the world. New parents everywhere know about the power of touch, and as a result a huge number of cultures have traditions of massaging babies.

The kind of baby massage that I teach is based upon the work of Vimala McClure, who borrowed strokes and techniques from India, Thailand and Sweden to create her infant massage practice. It is her work and research which informed much of the baby massage practices now used in the West.

At a baby massage class we practice breathing techniques, learn to massage babies safely and effectively, we meditate together and socialise. Group classes are a wonderful way to make parent friends and form a supportive community which will last for years.

Why try baby massage?

There are so many benefits to baby massage – it’s a truly special practice with real, proven benefits for both you and your baby. Here are just a few of my favourites:

·        Massaged babies grow more than their peers with the same amount of milk

·        Excellent for infant brain development

·        Introduces verbal communication

·        Builds trust between parent and child

·        Releases feel good hormones for both parent and child

·        Helps with bonding

·        Relieves the symptoms of post-partum depression and anxiety

·        Strengthens and tones infant muscles

·        Helps to support the development of healthy joints

·        Prepares babies for their next stage of development

·        Improves sleep for everyone

·        (for those who choose to breastfeed) promotes milk production

·        Relieves common ailments such as colic, constipation, colds and congestion

·        Builds confidence in parents

·        Teaches parents how to communicate with their child through their first language: touch

When is the best age to start infant massage?

Baby massage can be practiced from birth. Even tiny premature babies can be massaged – it’s actually encouraged; studies have shown the benefits of massaging premature babies.

The phrase I hear most often from parents who I talk to about infant massage is “I wish I had done that with my little one”.

Baby massage is a skill which parents can turn to repeatedly throughout their child’s life, but it’s one which can only be taught in the very early days, before the baby is able to roll.

These classes equip new parents with a comprehensive toolkit, allowing them to feel confident in helping their child through several tricky situations throughout babyhood, the toddler years and beyond.

Is there any situation where it’s not recommended to do baby massage?

Infant massage is a baby led practice. This means that we never force babies into a massage. If your child is crying, pushing you away or (if they’re older) telling you “no”, it’s important to respect their bodily autonomy and immediately stop the massage.

Also, since massage should always be enjoyable and pleasant for the baby, we don’t massage babies who aren’t comfortable.

If your child has a fever or has recently been vaccinated, it’s better not to massage them. This is because their skin can be extra sensitive; they probably won’t enjoy the massage very much.

Wait 24 hours after vaccinations before massaging, and even then, go gently on the injection site.

How often should I massage my baby?

That’s a question that depends on you and your little one, but the short answer is, as often as you both would like!

You can incorporate massage into your daily life, perhaps just after a bath, when they wake up or when they’re having tummy time. Some mums like to massage their babies head, hands or feet as they breastfeed, or when they have their baby in the carrier.

Bottom line: long as you and your baby both want to practice the massage, go ahead and enjoy it!

What’s the best time of day to massage my baby?

You can massage your baby at any time of day you like, but I recommend avoiding massaging them directly after a feed as it can cause them digestive distress.

It’s also not a good idea to massage your newborn baby too close to bedtime as they may quickly become overstimulated, making it more difficult to get them to sleep. Baby massage is a relaxing and grounding experience for you and your baby, but it’s a stimulating one too, especially for premature or newborn infants.

For safety reasons, I do not recommend massaging your baby before a bath. This is because the massage oils that you use can make  your little one slippery and you won’t be able to safely hold them in the water. This is very dangerous. It is better to massage your baby after their bath.

What do you need to do baby massage?

To perform baby massage, all you need is your baby and your hands – that’s really it! You don’t need any fancy equipment and you certainly don’t need to spend a lot of money to get started. That being said, there are a couple of things to think about to make your experience even better:

Massage oil

Until your baby is around 8 weeks old, the use of massage oil is not recommended. At 8 weeks, it’s time to introduce an oil to your regular massage practice. Which oil to choose can be a difficult question.

Infant skin is extremely sensitive and certain oils have been proven to have damaging effects. That’s why it is not recommended to use olive oil, sunflower seed oil or mustard oil to massage infants, even though these are natural oils with lots of benefits, studies have shown that they can cause permanent damage to infant skin.

We also should not use mineral oils such as baby oil or body oil to massage babies; these are petroleum based products which are harmful to the sensitive skin of young children.

I recommend using sunflower oil, coconut oil or grapeseed oil to massage your baby. You could also try sweet almond oil (although it’s better to try this on babies over 3 months and be vigilant for an allergic reaction).

Whatever oil you choose, it’s best to select one which is organic, cold pressed, virgin oil, and do a patch test before you use it: simply rub a little oil on the inside of your baby’s wrist and monitor it over 24 hours for signs of a rash, redness or swelling.

A waterproof mat

It’s best to practice baby massage on a naked baby. Fantastic for bonding and more relaxing for the baby, it’s far preferable to remove their diaper…however, we all know what risks come with a naked baby!

As your child relaxes into the massage, and particularly just after the digestive strokes on their tummy, you might find that a wee or a poo finds its way onto your floor!

A waterproof mat, blanket or changing pad is a good idea so that you can both relax and enjoy the special time together, without worrying about little accidents.

A baby massage course

Of course, it’s a good idea to learn how to give an effective massage to your baby. There’s a wealth of great information available on the internet, and plenty of wonderful books have been written on the subject.

Additionally, lots of parents find that they would like to have some additional input from an expert, either in a 1:1 or group class setting and luckily there are lots of wonderful instructors around.

What are the main differences between a group class and a 1:1 session?

Group classes take place in a venue outside of the home, usually in a city centre or somewhere centrally located. This means that you’ll need to get out your stroller or baby carrier, pack a diaper bag and bring your baby out to class.

Baby massage classes start from birth, and for some parents it is the first time they have left their house alone with their little one.

Coming to a baby massage class is a fantastic first step, as it’s a supportive environment where you can feel free to feed, change or otherwise take care of your baby in whatever way necessary. However, for some parents it can feel overwhelming leaving the house at such an early stage, and they may prefer an instructor to come to them for a 1:1 class at home.

Group classes have the major benefit of being a social occasion. Parents share their triumphs and struggles in the discussion periods of the class, and friendships are forged afterwards in the coffeeshop. Lots of parents come to class specifically to meet other mums and dads, and find the camaraderie to be really beneficial: I know that’s what I loved the most about baby classes.

Some parents already have a strong friendship group, and may want to set up a private class just for their friends, or for them to enjoy a special family activity with just their baby – perhaps together with their partner. For these parents, a private 1:1 class makes sense.

1:1 classes from Little HK are tailored to you and your baby, addressing whatever needs you and your baby currently have. Your instructor will contact you to ask what you’d like to work on: sleep, digestion, bonding, play, etc. They will then create a bespoke session for you to help you with your specific areas of concern.

In a group class setting, the instructor will always aim to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from the learning, however, they usually won’t be able to make significant changes to the session plan.

How much do baby massage classes cost?

The cost of baby massage classes really varies depending on your location. In Hong Kong, any group baby class tends to cost around $200-$400, depending on neighbourhood, experience of instructor and class sizes. For private, 1:1 sessions, costs are understandably higher, running at around $500-$1000, depending on various factors.

Little HK baby massage classes start at $300 for a drop in class, or $650 for a private 1:1 session. Purchasing our monthly subscription plan makes things cheaper, and can be used to attend any of our classes on a weekly basis - great for building routine.

While group classes are usually cheaper for the parents, some instructors allow multiple families to attend private sessions, which can then work out less expensive for everybody.

I’m not ready to venture out to a class yet…

You’re not alone - lots of new parents feel that way! Bringing home a new baby is a really overwhelming time and for many people it takes weeks or months to feel ready to take baby out for activities.

Why not try our online course: ForeverLittle? It’s designed to be easy to follow and enjoyable to return to time and time again. With video demonstrations showing how the massage strokes look on real babies, quick and handy visual guides and bespoke audio massage-along tracks, this accessible course is a great way to get started practicing this beneficial and ancient art with your Little. Click here to get lifetime access, with new content frequently added.

How can I get more information?

Send me an e-mail or follow me on Facebook or Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! If you’re ready to come and try baby massage for yourself, you can book a group class or an in home 1:1 session on my website.