Massage

Materials You Need: Body cream or oil (optional)

What You Can Do Together: We will start from the feet and move towards the head. You can first rub your hands against each other to warm them up. Using body cream or oil is optional. Lay your baby on a flat, soft surface so he/she can be comfortable.

Feet:

Take one of the feet and rotate your baby's foot left to right and right to left a few times. Then massage your baby's foot from ankle to toes. Switch feet and repeat

Palms:

Use your thumbs to trace circles on the palms of the baby's feet. Change feet and repeat.

Toes:

To finish off the feet, grasp each of your baby's feet between your thumb and index finger and gently pull your baby's toes until your fingers slide off your baby's toes. Do this for each of your baby's 10 toes.

What Your Child is Learning:  Studies suggest that massage can provide different health benefits. For example, massages to children can help to increase the interaction between the child and the mother and help the baby relax by reducing crying and reducing stress hormones.