At its core, massage is all about the power of touch, which is one of the most developed senses babies are born with. If the idea of incorporating a new massage routine is overwhelming, keep it simple, but aim for consistency. “The benefits are cumulative, which means that the more you do baby massage, the more benefits you and baby will experience.

For newborns, you can start by laying your baby on your chest and massaging their back, arms and legs, while avoiding the umbilical cord attached. Once the babies reach 3 weeks of age, you can begin to lay them down and perform a full body massage.

At times parents get discouraged if the baby squirms a lot, but it’s entirely normal. You can watch your baby’s readiness cues, and accordingly find the optimal time for massage, which may include smiling, eye contact and alertness. “If the baby is turning away or crying a lot, waiting to perform massage is advisable”. Remember, you’re the expert on your child. You’ll be able to tell when massage will help.

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