When is the best time to massage your baby?
The simple answer: when your baby is happy! Look for a time to massage your baby when your baby is receptive to interaction. A good time is when your baby is in the “quiet alert” phase shortly after waking up.
A sleepy or drowsy baby is not ready for a massage. They may want to be left alone, or to be comforted and held at this time.
Massage in quiet alert.
When a baby is quiet and alert, receptive and interested, it is a good time to start their massage.
Ask your baby’s permission to do the massage as you rub oil on your hands.
Baby gets more active.
As the massage continues, your baby may get more active and interactive. This is a fun time to do the massage – as it turns into a sort of dance between the two of you.
Baby wiggles around and makes sounds. Baby may last a few more minutes, as you watch for d=signs that it is time to end the massage.
When to stop?
When your baby starts to look away and get restless, complains or fusses, pushes or crawls away, it is definitely time to take a break or end the massage.
These signs don’t mean the baby did not enjoy the massage, they can mean they have had “enough, already” and what felt good for a few minutes is now too much, or they can indicate the baby has another need – such as hunger or exhaustion.
Say thank you.
You can stop the massage at any time by picking up your baby, giving them a hug and telling them “Thank you” for the special time you have spent together.
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Stop
When your baby starts to look away and get restless, complains or fusses, pushes or crawls away, it is definitely time to take a break or end the massage. These signs don’t mean the baby did not enjoy the massage, they can mean they have had “enough, already” and what felt good for a few minutes is now too much, or they can indicate the baby has another need – such as hunger or exhaustion or the need for a change.
Ending the Massage
You can stop the massage at any time by picking up your baby, giving them a hug and telling them “Thank you” for the special time together.
Often baby will be hungry after a massage, or quiet and interested in hanging out. Your baby might be active afterwards or ready to go to sleep.
Massaging every day at close to the same time will help your baby (and you) make massage a routine. Many of the hormonal and physical benefits of massage are enhanced by the regularity of massaging a baby every day.