Baby massage is the gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby’s body with your hands. A longstanding tradition from many

cultures across the world, in the last 30 years it has become hugely popular in the UK as the benefits of baby massage are

widely experienced by both children and parents.

The soothing strokes of your hands stimulate the production of the feel-good hormone oxytocin in both yourself and your

baby. Oxytocin is the hormone that gives you that warm, loving feeling when you hold your baby close.

THESE ARE THE BENEFITS WE BELIEVE REGULAR MASSAGE CAN OFFER:

Help babies to settle in their sleep and therefore sleep for longer

Get to know your baby better and bond further through the activity

Soothe and settle babies helping to calm & relax

Improve baby’s skin texture

Helps with digestion and to relieve colic, wind and constipation

(There are massage techniques to help with this – ask your teacher or an expert to show you)

Helps to relieve nasal congestion and teething discomfort

Helps develop good muscle tone, co-ordination and suppleness

BABY MASSAGE

NURTURING that GENTLE LOVING TOUCH

LITTLE AURELIA’S TIPS TO GET YOU STARTED:

We have compiled our top tips for you and our guide will help to get you started with a simple routine. You can begin

baby massage from birth in full term babies, but seek medical or expert advice if you need to.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Choose a time when your baby is awake and alert, not too hungry or too full. After a bath is a good time.

Perhaps try splitting their bedtime feed before and after the bath.

Ensure the room is warm and lighting not too bright.

For new-borns, download lullabies or ocean whale music to calm them.

We have created a short playlist to get you started. It is available on our site within the Blog under ‘Little Aurelia’!

Wash your hands, and ensure your nails are as short as possible and all jewellery removed.

WHAT DO I NEED?

Get everything ready before you start – easier said than done – we know!

Find a soft and padded mat or towels if you intend to massage on the floor so it is not too hard.

If you are planning to use the bed, use a towel to cover the sheets and be careful baby doesn’t roll off.

Ideally use a nurturing oil although a rich cream also works well to help glide smoothly over your baby’s skin if preferred.

Little Aurelia’s Sleep Time Bath & Massage Oil or Sleep Time Top to Toe Cream would be perfect.

Don’t massage your baby if they’re unwell or if they have just been immunised - the area of the injection may

still be sore. There are lots of massage courses available so do join and go along if you need additional help.

LEGSYou need a good amount of oil on your hands to start

to avoid any friction on the skin. You could start at the

beginning just focusing on a few areas until they get used

to it. Your baby will be used to you touching their legs as

you dress them and change their nappy.

FEETBabies love having their feet massaged as it can really

relax them. Go gently with the pressure, you need very

little here! Gently squeeze and roll each toe between

your thumb and index finger. Using alternate thumbs

stroke the top of the foot from toes to the ankle. Repeat

several times.

HANDSThis will help them relax their hands. Using the pads of

your thumbs gently open their hand, roll each tiny finger

between your index finger and thumb and finally stroke

the top of the hand from the wrist to the fingertips.

TUMMYBe sensitive of the umbilical cord until it has healed.

Place a reassuring but relaxed hand on their tummy.

Paddle your hands gently over their tummy.

CHESTWith both hands at the centre of your little one’s chest,

stroke out to the sides as if you were flattening the pages

of a book. Keeping contact with your baby, glide your

hands down, around and meet in the centre again.

BACKSkin-to-skin contact is brilliant at enhancing the bonding

experience between baby and adult. Either hold the

baby close to your chest or turn them gently over and

massage their back beginning at the neck, swooping

down to their bottom.

If your baby seems uncomfortable with stomach pains or is windy or gassy, the below ‘I love you’

technique is very effective. Alternatively, get a healthcare professional or a professional baby massage

instructor to show you how you can help relieve it.

Stroke down left side of baby’s

tummy (your right side)

Draw an upside down “L”

starting left to right

Draw an upside down

“U” (your left to right)

I LOVE YOU