How To Massage Your Baby To Help Them Sleep
Gregg Hall
There is nothing like the feel and smell of your baby. It is what
bonds Mother and child. The most common way to calm a fussy child
is to pick them up and cuddle. It is a psychological and
physiological need in every human. It is important to have that
human contact, the feel of skin to skin. It is a part of the
development and socialization of a baby.
Massaging your baby can be relaxing and stimulating at the same
time. How can that be, you ask? Even babies have certain levels
of stress even though they don't really do anything and can't
watch the news to obtain outside stresses. One of the most
stressful things for a baby is to be separated from its mother or
care giver. When mother and child are reunited after a work day
often the first thing the mother will do is to hug the baby. This
reassures the baby and calms the mother too.
The initial contact with mother will calm and relax the child but
how is it stimulating? Babies' muscles are not developed and can
only become useful through use and control. When massaging a
baby, you are making that baby aware of their different body
parts. They might not realize what is down there or what they can
do with it. Massage and exercise of the baby's legs will
strengthen them for the time when the baby will crawl or walk.
Even a very young baby can try to extend their legs and stand or
bounce when held. They same is true for the babies arms. It can
also develop better hand to eye coordination. Even though most
babies are good at getting things into their mouths, there are
different tasks they may enjoy when they can control their limbs.
A mother should develop a routine for massage. A good time is in
the evening after a bath. For some babies, bath time can be very
stressful even if they do it every day. Afterward the mother can
lay the baby down and massage baby oil or lotion into its skin.
This is soothing and calming for the baby and good for the baby's
skin too. There are also scented baby oils that can be used to
calm. In recent years the use of lavender scented products has
become a popular way to provide aromatherapy for infants.
After the baby has been massaged and dressed it is time for the
final feeding. After the feeding it is best to hold the baby
close and rock them, rubbing and patting their back can eliminate
any gassy build up that can prevent the baby from sleeping well.
When done properly the baby should feel very relaxed and assured
from the parent and sleep well.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. For more on
baby health or baby nursery bedding go to
http://www.babynurserybeddingsets.com
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