Before you start

The techniques
It is best to learn more from someone with a qualification in baby massage. There is so much more to know and this is a time when you can connect with your baby in many different ways. As your baby gets older and tolerates massage for longer, she will respond with glee every time she sees you rubbing the oil in your hands. Don't be surprised if she has her own way of asking for massage, such as wriggling her toes against you or waving her arms and legs around with smiles after bath time. Big brother or sister can also learn how to massage and get involved positively with the new baby.

Always begin slowly and continue only if your baby is happy to do so. Try to talk softly all the way through the massage as you explain what you are doing. Remember to use enough oil to enable you to easily glide over her skin. These strokes are based on the concepts of Vimala Schneider-McClure.

Leg and foot massage
Support your baby's leg at the ankle with one hand. Gently "wrap" the fingers and palm of the other hand around your baby's leg and stroke down from the ankle to the buttock. Swap hands and stroke again. Do this two to three times on each leg. Using your thumbs, start from the heel of your baby's foot and thumb over thumb stroke from the heel to the toes. Gently massage each toe. Massaging the feet increases circulation and enhances relaxation of the body.

Tummy
Imagine a clock on your baby's abdomen. Gently but firmly use your fingers and stroke in a clockwise direction, on the soft parts of the abdomen. Use slight pressure from the fingertips around the "clock" pressing at each number on the clock and upon release, moving to the next number. This will help with wind and digestion.

Chest
Place your hands next to each other on your baby's chest. Gently press down and move your hands away from each other to the sides of your baby's body, following the edge of the ribcage, moving your hands from the sides back to the place that you started from. This is a great chest opener and will ease your baby's breathing.

Arm and hand
Support your baby's arm by grasping her wrist gently. With the other hand massage inside her arm up to the elbow and then up to the shoulder. Swap your supporting hand and do this with the other hand, all the way up to her shoulder and upper back. Do this on both arms. This promotes suppleness and strength in the arms. Gently wiggle your thumb into the palm of your baby's clenched fist. Ease open each finger, one at a time and gently "milk" the fingers as they open. (A newborn baby has a reflex that causes her to bring her arms close to her body and to close her fists when you place your finger on her palm. Over time as she develops and learns to trust you, she will become more relaxed.)

Face
Most babies do not enjoy much intense touch on the face until they are older and can join in peek-a-boo games with you. Initially just a gentle upward stroking on the area between her eyes with one fingertip, done very lightly, can put her to sleep in a blink.

Back
Position your baby to lie on your chest, tummy down and stroke her back from her shoulders down to her buttocks and then down to her toes. Done gently and firmly this can be very soothing and relaxing as well as give her a sense of where her body starts and ends.