Arms and hands
The baby should either continue to lie on his or her back or if old enough may sit up.
Hold the baby's hand and gently and slowly effleurage from the fingers to the shoulder. Glide down again.
Gently twist your hands in a corkscrew motion progressing from the wrist up to the shoulder
Open the baby's hand. Support the back of the hand, and using your fingers gently effleurage over the palm using circular movements.
Massage each finger in turn by gently unfolding them one after the other.
Slowly and gently circumduct the wrist clockwise and anticlockwise.
Flex and extend the baby's elbow gently and slowly.
Completion: Hold the baby's hand and repeat the effleurage from the fingers to the shoulders. Finish by gently holding the baby's hand between your cupped palms. Repeat these movements on the other arm
Face
The facial massage should be performed with a light touch. This is one of the most rewarding areas to treat. You can enjoy total eye contact with the baby. Always take care not to apply oil near the baby's eyes.
Stroke gently down the sides of the baby's face from the top to the chin.
Using the tips of your fingers stroke the baby's forehead from the middle out towards the hairline.
With gentle thumb pressure start at the nose and the cheeks. Repeat to cover the entire cheek area.
Place your thumb under the lower lip and stroke outwards across the chin.
With your index fingers, make gentle circles around the eye area and also around the mouth.
Completion: To connect the front of the baby's body stroke your hands from the top of the head, down the torso and down the legs.
Back of the body
Turn baby over and lay it on it's tummy. The baby can either lie on the duvet on the floor or sideways across your thighs rather than along them.
Effleurage from the buttocks up the back and over the shoulders returning to your starting position with absolutely no pressure.
Place both hands flat down on the buttocks and perform circular stroking movements over each buttock.
Gently squeeze the buttocks.
To connect the back of the body and conclude the massage glide both hands from baby's head down the back towards the feet.
Completion : Bring the baby close to you and finish with a cuddle. After being massaged babies often fall into a contented and deeply relaxed sleep
Essential oils for baby
The baby massage oil that will be perfect for your massage. However, the following blends may be helpful if problems do occur.
Naturally, if you are at all concerned about your baby's health you should seek medical advice immediately. I have included dosages for children, who are just as easy to massage as babies.
Children of all ages will thoroughly enjoy and respond extremely well to regular massage. Be creative with your movements and adapt the routines already given depending on the needs of your child.
Suitable dilutions are as follows:
Babies (0-2 months) 1 drop per 15 ml carrier oil
Babies (2-12 months) 1 drop per 10 ml carrier oil
Small children (up to 5 years) 2 drops per 10 ml carrier oil
Juniors (5 to 12 years) 2-3 drops per 10 ml carrier oil
Remember never to use commercial baby oil as a carrier. It is a mineral oil and will not penetrate the skin.
Colic
1 drop of Roman chamomile diluted in 15 ml carrier oil
Massage gently on to baby's tummy, back and feet in a clockwise direction.
Coughs/colds/respiratory problems
1 drop of lavender/frankincense diluted in 20 ml carrier oil
Nappy rash
3 drops of Roman chamomile
2 drops of lavender
in a 60 g jar of pure organic skin cream or zinc and castor oil cream
Teething
1 drop of Roman chamomile
1 drop of lavender
diluted in 15 ml carrier oil
Massage gently into the cheeks.
