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Preparing for a massage When is the best time to massage my baby There is no fixed time for massaging
your baby. Initially you will have to go through a phase of trial and error
to find a time that suits both you and the baby. Some babies will enjoy
a massage in the morning after they have been fed and are ready for the
day. Some babies like a massage either before or after their naps. If your
baby is tired, but not too cranky in the evening, a massage may help her
sleep. In the early months, a good routine is to massage the baby and then
give her a warm bath. By the time she is six months old, a massage may
work better after a bath, when she is tired and ready for a nap.
How should I position myself to massage the baby Your back should be straight and
you can either sit on the floor or the bed or stand before a table. The
cross-legged position is ideal as it allows movement, rhythm and maintains
the proper distance between you and the baby. Always massage in a warm,
quiet place.
What oils should I use Oil helps your hands glide smoothly over your baby’s delicate skin. It is advisable to use cold-pressed fruit and/or vegetable oils, rather than mass-produced “baby oils.” Commercially produced oils are believed to dry the skin and clog the pores. If your baby were to put her hand in her mouth, you do not want to worry that a non-food substance is being introduced into your baby’s digestive system, which might happen with mineral oils. However, there are baby oils produced by companies like Johnson & Johnson whose products utilize medicinal grade mineral oil, which meets established standards for purity and safety. In India, mothers use mustard oil
to massage babies in the winter and coconut oil in the summer. Apricot
and almond oil are smooth, light and easily absorbed. “Cold pressed” oils
are preferable i.e. oils that are extracted only by means of pressure,
without using heat or solvents that may destroy natural nutrients in the
oil. Unscented oils are the best.
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