FAQs

These are a few of the most common enquiries, however if you want to know something that isn’t covered here or have a specific concern please do get in touch at helen@newstorktimes.co.uk

What are the benefits of baby massage?

Almost too many to mention for the babies – but I feel that the main benefits are actually for you – the parent or carer. By being empowered with information and techniques to help your baby you can make life easier for both of you. Baby or Infant Massage has been shown to provide relief from symptoms of colic, wind, reflux, constipation and other digestive concerns – which means less crying, less fussing and more settled babies. The stimulation of the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems relaxes baby and reduces restlessness – leading to deeper and better quality sleep and an enhanced feeling of wellbeing during the daytime. Gentle stretches and massage using the nourishing oil lead to improved muscle tone, increased flexibility and conditioned skin. For the parent or carer, following the routine develops confidence in touch and handling of baby, increased responsiveness to non-verbal clues and deepens the bond between them.

How old does my baby have to be?

I have worked with two day old babies and if you are doing your massage at home, in a warm, calm environment and you do not have any concerns about your baby’s health, you can start as soon as you feel ready. Starting a couple of weeks after the birth is probably best to give yourself time to recover physically and give baby time to adjust to being on the outside. With newborn babies short sessions of five to ten minutes are plenty to avoid overstimulation. Use almost featherlight stroking as opposed to the quite firm moves you would use on a much bigger and more robust baby. Often new babies prefer to remain clothed and the routine can be done through clothes with no problems. They may also like to be massaged whilst on your propped up knees (support your back) and with very little other stimulation. Gentle strokes to the hands, head and feet can be performed whilst feeding.

You will find that the more you practice massaging together the longer your baby will tolerate it. From four months onwards it is usually possible to perform the majority of the routine all at one time- depending on how long the baby will lie on his or her front.

What oil do you recommend?

Organic, cold pressed, carrier oil standard Grapeseed oil is my preferred choice as it is very gentle and I have never found it to irritate any babies I have worked with. Carrier oils are used as a base for aromatherapy oils and can be found in health shops and online.  You want to look for something with the least amount of ingredients and specifically no added fragrance. Babies are very dependent on smell for recognition, comfort and feeding and may become confused if you use oil with added perfume. Remember babies often put their hands in their mouths so it is important that you would be happy for them to eat whatever you are massaging them with! Commercially produced baby oils are often mineral based and sit on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed and nourishing the skin.

Where is the best place to do the massage?

Anywhere that is warm and safe – so if you do decide to massage on a changing table or similar remember to never leave them unattended and remember they will be slippery with oil. I would suggest between your legs on a bed, on your knees (ideal for tiny babies or babies with reflux etc) or the most common, on a changing mat on a soft towel on the floor. Beware of draughts (remember they are naked and you are not) and keep the room nice and warm, with everything you need close to hand.

What is the best time of day to massage?

I suppose I go against conventional wisdom here and would say not as part of the bedtime routine – unless it was tea time before the bath and feed. This is really because in my experience at the end of the day babies are tired and hungry, and parents are too! The early evening can be a loud, busy  time within a family but of course you may find this not to be the case. From the feedback from the parents I have worked with mid morning seems to be popular – an hour or so after a feed and during babies ‘good’ time of day – when they are more active and in the best mood! Massaging in the daytime can often lead to deeper, better quality naps and improved night time sleep. Of course dads want to be involved and therefore the massage can be done in the early evening which is great too.

All babies are so different it isn’t an easy question to answer – I would suggest trying at different times of day and choosing what fits in best with your life and your baby.

Do I have to do the full routine every day?

Of course not – gosh the last thing I want is to be responsible for putting more pressure on mums to fit something new into every single day! Every day is great, and the full routine is great but this isn’t always practical. Five minutes during a nappy change or small massage to the hands in a coffee shop bring all the fantastic benefits to you both. Often feet and legs are popular and if you manage that every day you are doing well. If you are hoping to improve symptoms of colic, constipation or wind I would advise following the short routine every day or even a couple of times a day if possible.

Can Dad do the routine?

Of course, dads love it and it gives two great extra benefits – time just for the two of them and an increased confidence in handling and understanding baby’s non-verbal communication. Highly recommended.

My baby hates being on her front – do I need to do the second part of the routine?

In a word, no. Often small babies don’t like being on their front although it should be encouraged as long as he/she is happy. However to maintain consistent positive reinforcement around massage I would advise that you stick to the first half of the routine and massage to the back of the body using the stretches as detailed in the DVD. Don’t forget backs can be massaged and stroked while your baby lies against your chest at any time. Over time you will find that they grow accustomed to and enjoy being on their fronts – when they are able to hold their heads up it gives an interesting perspective of the room. This is the time to introduce the second section of the routine.

What do I do if my baby starts crying?

If they cannot be distracted with a toy, a nursery rhyme or similar then scoop them up for a cuddle – the joy of practicing in the comfort of your own home is that you can stop or start the DVD at any time to suit, and try again later. Do not create a negative association by stubbornly massaging on when your baby is clearly telling you to stop! It may be that your baby feels a little vulnerable so leaving the vest half on, or a muslin across the parts of the body not being massaged can be comforting. 

What do I do if my baby falls asleep?

This is quite common – they get so very relaxed and simply drift off – which is beautiful to watch. You can continue to gently massage to the end of the routine or simply wrap them up snugly and allow them to sleep soundly.