When babies are young, contact alone from his parents can soothe and calm, offering reassurance and a sense of safety. We cuddle an upset baby, stroke their face or rub their back, we do this because touch creates sensations that stimulate our child’s brain.
When the little man was much smaller we signed up for a baby massage class at our local
Sure Start centre. We visited weekly and learnt how to massage our babies. As well as massage technique, we were taught why massage is an important development aid and the many advantages it has.
Baby massage is said to help strengthen the digestive system, reduce constipation and discomfort from Colic. It can help improve skin condition, strengthen the immune system and even help with teething pain. It can help with circulation and breathing, which if you’re lucky, may help establish a better sleeping pattern.
Don’t be discouraged if your child doesn’t take to massage straight away. Some babies will wriggle, giggle or even cry, but it really does help create a greater understanding between parent and child, help aid communication without the need for words and help assist with creating a better bond with your child.
We’ve always enjoyed massage and it’s been included in the little mans bed time routine from an early age. After bath time he regularly has a short massage before he puts on his PJ’s and goes to bed. I think it helps him settle on a night, relaxes him and sometimes he even falls asleep. Skin to skin contact is encourage in the hospital from birth. I remember a midwife showing me how to carefully place the little man down the front of my PJ’s to help comfort him and it’s something that’s worked well for us. When he’s poorly he likes to lie on our bare chests, snuggled in with our scent comforting him. I think the skin to skin contact from his Daddy or I during massage offers reassurance and helps keep him calm and relaxed.
During bath time we use JOHNSON’S® TOP-TO-TOE® Baby Bath (RRP £3.49) a gentle formula that can be used on the entire body, even from day one. It’s completely soap, dye and paraben free so there are no nasty extras added to the bath and with it’s NO MORE TEARS® formula it’s safe for even the wiggliest child.
It creates a soft, smooth lather than easily cleans my little man without causing any irritation. It’s gentle on new skin and can be used on the entire body which is rather handy. Bath times with babies can be a challenging experience at the best of times so juggling a variety of product bottles is just an added hindrance.
