Baby / Infant Massage
Massage Your Baby With Love
Special Offer
Buy before 31st August 2010 and receive a bottle of Mother and Child Massage Oil normally $13.95 for $10.00
Click here to purchase |
|
|
|
The International Association of Infant
Massage (IAIM) was founded by Vimala McClure in 1976 and is a
non-profit education organisation that has Certified Instructors
& Instructor-Trainers in over 35 countries around the world.
Mission
Statement
The
purpose of our Association is to promote nurturing touch and
communication through training, education and research so that parents,
caregivers and children are loved, valued and respected throughout the
world community.
Our Certified Instructors (also known as
CIMI’s) have completed an intensive instructor training
course, practicum module and examination specifically designed by the
Association. I.A.I.M CIMI’s teach our parent / baby courses
in hospitals and community centres. Classes are also available for
well, preterm, multiple and special needs babies.
To learn more about our Association, benefits,
research material and instructors in your area please view: www.iaim.com.au.
|
THE
BENEFITS OF BABY MASSAGE
It
is now well documented that baby massage can play a vital role in
aiding relaxation, digestion and to promote bonding. Research has also
found massage to be a valuable tool in encouraging weight gain,
particularly for the premature baby. Supervised massage is an ideal way
for older siblings to bond with a new baby and is a great way to get
Dad involved in caring for his newborn. For toddlers who seem unable to
lie still, massage time can also be used as
‘sharing’ time or story time and provide an
opportunity for quiet and gentle communication. The long, rhythmic and
fluid strokes of massage can be instrumental in helping even older
children prepare for slumber and are definitely nurturing and soothing
to us all.
Some
parents, however, fail to understand the importance of the actual
product they use to massage their baby. For a newborn or very young
infant, a good choice may be a cold pressed, preferably organic natural
oil which is petro-chemical free. Oils such as sweet almond or jojoba
are ideal but offer little nourishment to the skin alone. A pre-blended
product that is Aroma-Free™ (no essential oils or added fragrance) and
contains a simple mix of cold pressed, naturally nourishing oils such
as calendula or evening primrose oils may provide additional benefits
to dry, sensitive skin. These types of oils are rich in natural fatty
acids and vitamins and can help to moisture dry skin whilst providing a
medium for gentle, fluid movement.
Both
infant massage Associations in Australia (IMA Infant Massage Australia
and IAIM International Association of Infant Massage) recommend
unscented/Aroma-Free™ massage oils for young babies which is in line
with UK-based research that suggests unscented product in general is
best for new babies. Despite this, some brands rely on vague product
labelling or marketing which is possibly designed to confuse consumers.
At
AROMABABY® we have developed a newborn baby massage oil that
contains no essential oils, as a result of consultation with various
members of both infant massage Associations in Australia, over a period
of time. Our Mother & Child massage oil contains an added
natural anti-oxidant to ensure a reasonable shelf life (a rancid oil
could go undetected by a novice and can cause more harm to Baby than
good) which is a high grade, certified gm free natural vitamin e
(d-alpha Tocopherol). To learn more about our massage oils click here.
TIPS
TO CONSIDER PRIOR TO BABY MASSAGE
*
Prior to massage, take time out for yourself, take a few deep breaths,
and ensure you are totally relaxed and prepared to spend some quality
time with your child.
*
Always ensure you massage in a warm environment - an infants body
temperature can drop dramatically when undressed, so keep a
towel/blanket or spare clothes close by for draping over the parts of
the body not being massaged.
*
Take care when handling Baby as freshly massage infants can be
extremely slippery.
*
Avoid any harsh lights (including sunlight) that may be too bright for
the infant to look into whilst lying down. A room which is dimly lit or
filled with gentle sunlight is ideal.
*
Massage with Baby placed on a bed or thick blanket/doonah on the floor,
taking care of your posture (kneel down if massaging on a bed) or lay
Baby on your legs (head at your knees and their bottom in your lap)
leaning against a wall or lounge with your knees bent up.
*
If you listened to some particularly soothing music whilst pregnant,
you may like to play this softly. It is very reassuring for Baby to
hear your voice whilst being massaged to hum, speak softly or sing to
your Baby during this special time as you caress and stroke them.
*
Short, clean fingernails are essential and remove any jewellery or
rings that may interfere.
*
If you have long hair, tie it back and roll up any long sleeves.
*
Ensure you keep one hand in contact with Baby's skin at all times -
this will help with the flow of energy between you and your child and
allows Baby to look around and take in their surroundings without
having to keep checking that you are still there.
*
Avoid massaging over wounds, surgery or cuts or recent scar tissue. It
is not recommended to massage an infant who has a fever or a contagious
disease or you may encourage it to spread.
*
Take care not to massage on Baby's abdomen immediately following a feed
or when he/she has the hiccups. Massage of other areas during this time
is fine.
*
Do not massage a newborn infant at bath time as this can be
over-stimulating. If your infant is older than four months, and you
wish to massage at bath time, it is best to massage after the bath to
allow the oils to be absorbed by the skin.
*
Never watch the clock during massage you will know when either you, or
more importantly your baby has had enough. Infant massage is beneficial
to both you and your baby so take the telephone off the hook and enjoy! 10 STEPS TO BASIC INFANT MASSAGE
1.
Always start at the legs for newborns, as this is least intrusive area.
Begin by holding one of Baby's feet in your opposite hand (ie right
foot in your left hand). Gently stroking down the leg with your hand
and fingers making a letter “C” shape. Try to keep your fingers clasped
around the top of the leg you are massaging, with your thumb underneath
the leg in a circular shape. Begin at the top of the leg, moving down
to the foot in one long, fluid stroke. Repeat 2-3 times.
2.
Still supporting the same leg by holding Baby’s foot, use your thumb to
lightly circle the soles of the feet, press with your thumb then
release and follow with gentle squeezing and releasing each of Baby's
toes one by one. Move to the top area of Baby’s foot, circle the ankles
clockwise then anti-clockwise & stroke back up the leg from the
ankle to the thigh using the same letter “C” shape as in step 1.
3.
Move one hand off Baby's leg and onto the other leg, then move your
second hand over so as not to break the flow of fluid movement.
Continue to massage Baby's other leg using strokes explained in Steps 1
& 2.
4.
Give both legs a gentle wring & release stroke and hold both feet,
wriggling them together gentle to complete the leg & foot massage.
5.
Move up toward the tummy area and make contact with this new 'space' so
Baby becomes familiar with the area to be massaged next. This is an
ideal time to introduce circle shapes and shapes of letters, even
spelling out words on the skin for older babies, further enhancing the
massage experience. Be sure to maintain eye contact as you explain the
shape or word you are making to your child. Keep in mind strokes should
be in a clockwise direction on the abdomen and should be confined to
the below the rib cage only. Massage Baby's tummy from YOUR left to
right, (clockwise) in the direction of their digestive tract, using
small circles with fingertips or the flat of your hand and taking care
to avoid the umbilical cord area for new babies.
5.
Complete the front by placing both hands in the centre of Baby's chest
and sweep up and out over the centre of the chest, over the shoulders
and hugging the entire length of the arms finishing off at the
fingertips . Using both hands massage Baby's arms one at a time, using
a long fluid motion as in steps 1 & 2, followed by squeezing up and
down the arm, finishing off at the fingertips. Massage each finger from
knuckle to tip but do not attempt to restrain your baby if he/she curls
fingers, kicks or moves arms during any part of the massage. Repeat on
2nd arm.
6.
Gently turn Baby over and use the whole hand to stroke from the
shoulders, down Baby's back to the buttocks - take care of Baby's
delicate spinal area and instead always work either side of the spine.
7.
Use both thumbs to make small circles around the top of the buttocks
using both hands, starting toward the middle and moving out to the
sides. Gently knead or 'roll' the buttocks simultaneously with both
hands using a press and release action.
8.
Move onto the back of Baby's legs and use a gentle wring and release
action starting at the top of one leg, massaging from the thigh all the
way down the back of the leg and onto the soles of the foot. Move hands
one at a time gently onto the second leg and repeat these movements.
9. Using long, light and fluid strokes from the head to Baby's toes, finish off the back area.
10.
Carefully turn your baby over and stroke across the forehead using
fingertips of both hands. Starting in the middle and gliding out toward
Baby's temples. Pause for a moment and use feather-light circles around
the temple area. Do not massage near the eye/eyelids and take care not
to get oil near Baby's eye area.
Catherine
Cervasio has trained in Infant Massage Instruction and holds a Diploma
in Aromatherapy. Catherine is the founder of Aromababy natural
skincare, the world’s first research-based, natural baby brand to use
organic ingredients. For more information visit www.aromababy.com
COPYRIGHT © - Catherine Cervasio 2003-2010
NO
PART OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETREIVAL SYSTEM
OR COPIED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT THE AUTHORS PRIOR PERMISSION IN WRITING.
|
