Baby Massage: Basic guidelines

13:13 (GMT+2), Wed, 20 July 2011

There are many ways of massaging babies, but the main factors are to simply to get started, listen to your instincts and observe a few basic guidelines:

Preferably remove any rings from your fingers.
Massage your baby in a room where you are both comfortable. Make sure there are no distractions and play gentle, soothing music.
You'll need a soft, firm surface on which to massage your baby. You must be comfortable and your back should be straight, especially when bending forward. Sit on the floor with your baby in front of you. The following positions work well – experiment until you find one that works for you:
– Sit on a cushion with your legs crossed.
– Kneel on a cushion. You can also place a cushion on the backs of your calves, under your buttocks.
– Sit on a cushion with your legs outstretched on either side of your baby.
Lay your baby on a clean, soft towel. Keep in mind that massage oils may stain a carpet or your clothes.
Room temperature should be comfortable. If you are completely comfortable in short sleeves, your baby should be fine without any heating. In very warm areas you can massage your baby outside.
Use easily absorbed pure oils with subtle scents. Store oils in easy-to-dispense bottles to ensure that you don't have to take your hands completely away from your baby.
Once you are ready to start, take off your baby's clothes and nappy, and lie her down in front of you with her feet closest to your body.