Baby massage for brain development helps strengthen your baby’s bones and muscles, improve flexibility, boost energy for learning and activities, and promote better sleep. It can also relieve colic, enhance movement skills, support brain development, and strengthen the immune system.
Parents can easily stimulate their baby’s development with these simple baby massage techniques.
TheAsianParent Thailand shares the proper baby massage methods — let’s check them out!
Baby Massage for Brain Development: Massage Techniques
1. Foot Massage to Stimulate Development
Start with the feet as they have the thickest skin on the body. Gently massage from the lower leg down to the foot, moving up and down alternately. Use your thumb to massage the heel, then move to the toes. Next, use your palm or thumb to make circular motions on the soles of your baby’s feet. Finally, gently pull each of your baby’s big toes.
2. Arm Massage
- After massaging the legs, move on to your baby’s arms.
- Gently lift their hand up and massage along the arm.
- Use both hands to massage each of your baby’s arms.
- With your thumb, make circular motions on the palm of their hand.
- Slowly massage each of your baby’s fingers, then gently pull each one.
- Finally, massage their wrists in a circular motion.
3. Chest Massage
- Massaging the chest is fun for babies, and most of them really enjoy this one!
- Place your hands in a prayer position on your baby’s chest, then slowly move them outwards along the shoulders.
- Start from the top of the chest, bringing your hands together to form a heart shape, and gently slide down their back.
- Next, massage the sides of their body, starting from the hips and crossing over to the opposite shoulder, then switch sides.
4. Tummy Massage
- Be gentle when massaging your baby’s tummy, as it’s very delicate.
- Use your fingertips to make circular motions clockwise on their tummy. Then massage in an “I” shape, going up and down, followed by an “L” shape (vertical and horizontal), and a “U” shape (curved).
- Massage around their belly button in a circular motion as well.
- Bend your baby’s knees and place their legs on their tummy to help relieve gas.
- Gently hold their tummy while you massage.
5. Face and Head Massage
- Use both hands to gently hold your baby’s head and massage their scalp like you’re shampooing their hair, but be careful around the soft spot on the top of their head.
- Massage around your baby’s face in a heart shape, starting from the forehead and moving down to the chin.
- Use your fingers to massage along the eyebrows, starting from the inner corner and moving to the outer edge.
- Massage the nose, starting from the tip and moving up to the cheeks.
- With your fingertips, gently massage the jaw in circular motions.
- Finally, use your thumb and index finger to gently massage your baby’s ears.
6. Back Massage
- Have your baby lie on their tummy across your lap.
- Use one hand to support your baby’s hips, and with the other, gently massage from the neck down to the hips.
- Avoid pressing directly on your baby’s spine; instead, use your fingers to make circular motions around the spine to relieve pressure.
- Massage the shoulders in circular motions, and give the hips a big circular massage as well.
Additional tips for baby massage for brain development and growth
- Massage when your baby is in a good mood and alert, not sleepy.
- Sit on a flat surface with your feet together, similar to a cross-legged position, so your baby can rest their head on your lap.
- Cover your feet and knees with a towel or blanket.
- Take off your baby’s clothes and diaper, then lay them down on your lap with their head near your feet.
Precautions When Massaging Your Baby
While massaging your baby has many benefits, there are a few things parents should be careful about during the massage:
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Avoid massaging right after your baby has eaten or when they’re feeling sleepy.
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Massage gently, as pressing too hard could be harmful to your baby.
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If your baby cries during the massage, stop immediately and try again later.
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While massaging, talk to your baby, laugh with them, and let them know what you’re doing.
Baby massage helps stimulate growth hormones, improves the central nervous system, and, most importantly, strengthens the bond between you and your little one.
Originally published on theAsianParent Thailand
