Legs & Feet · Stomach & Chest · Arms & Hands · Back · Face

Massage Strokes: Legs & Feet

One last thing before you begin. Baby massage differs from normal massage in that it consists of only very gently stroking and touching. So be careful!

1. Alternate stroke. Starting with one leg, gently grasp the baby's ankle with one hand. With the other, cup the inside of the thigh and stroke down to the foot. Do the same on the opposite side of the leg with your other hand. Repeat several times



2. Squeeze & Twist. Using both or one of your hands, gently squeeze and twist all the way down the leg to the toes. Repeat several times










3. Underneath the Foot. Stroke your thumbs form the heel to the toes. Repeat several times













4. The Toes. Gently squeeze and rotate each toe between your thumb and index finger



5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 on the other leg.

Top

Massage Strokes: Stomach & Chest

1. Circular Stroke. Massage the stomach using a circular stroke. Caress the abdomen, moving your hands clockwise and beginning below the ribs, using one hand then following with the other









2. Outward Sweep. Place both hands together at the centre of the chest; sweep out to each side, following the ribcage



3. Frontal Sweep. With both hands, sweep down from the chest to the stomach

Top

Massage Strokes: Arms & Hands

1. Armpits. Begin by gently stroking the armpits several times



2. Down the Arm. Form a circle around the top of the baby's arm with your fingers and thumb. Stroke down the arm towards the wrist. You can also gently squeeze and twist while doing this movement



3. Rolling. Roll the arm between your hands. Again, begin at the shoulder and move down to the wrist



4. Hand. Stroke the top of the hand, moving from the wrist to the fingers



5. Fingers. Gently rotate each finger between your index finger and thumb

Massage Strokes: Back

When preparing to massage the back, either sit baby up on your lap, resting on your arm, or lay them on their tummy on your lap with your legs extended

1. Down the Back. Gently stroke down from the shoulders to the lower back. Mold your entire hand to their back



2. Circles. Make little circles all over their back with your fingertips

Top

Massage Strokes: Face

1. Thumb Stroke. With both thumbs, softly stroke from the middle of their forehead out towards the temples











2. Diagonal Stroke. From the side of their nose, stroke diagonally down across the cheeks



3. Fingertip Stroke. Starting at the top of the forehead, stroke down over the ears, behind the ears and under the chin