Massaging your baby:
a privileged moment of well-being for both of you.

Reasons to massage your baby : How about a little relaxation time with baby? There's nothing like a good massage full of benefits to meet your baby and give them relaxation and serenity. Without knowing it, the first massage you give your little one takes place as soon as they are born : when you gradually wrap his back and then his whole body in your hands. Discover the virtues of baby massage!

Through this caring touch, you attract your baby's attention and learn to better understand their behavior and reactions. Massages help you to build a real relationship of trust with them. Your baby becomes aware of their body schema while experiencing limits through their movements, and thus realizes that they are not part of their mother's body. It is well known that massages calm a crying toddler. Your gestures relax their joints while untying the tensions related to new life. Massages relax the stomach and have a beneficial effect on digestive problems: they improve intestinal transit, reduce colic, soothe and prevent constipation. They decrease the level of stress hormone (cortisol) in the blood and increase the level of the relaxation hormone (ocitocyne) which brings pleasure to your baby.

To ensure that this little ritual goes smoothly, set aside the right moment and put yourself in the best possible conditions. Choose a time when you are completely available and when your child is sufficiently calm, preferably not at mealtime, after diaper change time or after his bath. If your baby is hungry, they may not be receptive. After meals, they are often sleepy and take a nap.
Choose a quiet, well-heated room (about 25°C/77F), with natural or dimmed lighting. Put your cell phone on voice mail. Slip into loose, comfortable clothing. Remember to remove rings, bracelets and watches, cut your fingernails so as not to hurt your child, and wash your hands. Then, to be safe, get comfortable on the floor or bed with your baby on your legs to increase physical contact. You can also massage on the changing table or a small mattress covered with a soft towel and placed on the floor. Pour natural or organic vegetable massage oil, rich in essential fatty acids for a better hydration, into the palm of your hands before warming it up for a few seconds. It is advisable to avoid oils made from nuts (sweet almond, walnut, hazelnut oils, etc.) which can cause allergies.

Slide and glide massage

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The session begins. At first, massage your baby, lying flat on their stomach, (watch the umbilical cord.) Place the palm of your hand (lower part of the palm, near your thumb) on your baby's body while keeping the rest of the hand relaxed and the wrist flexible. Then let it slide from one part of the body to the other without applying pressure. Start by massaging their back which is very appreciated by babies. Slide your hands down your newborn, from the shoulders to buttocks and extremities (hands and feet) for a good soothing effect. From one month old you can move your hands upwards, from the feet to the head, to tone your child. Be sure to cover the massaged areas with a soft, warm blanket because they cool down quickly.

Adapt the duration of the session (about 5 to 10 minutes) according to the pleasure felt by your baby and repeat the routine every day at the same time, to set up a supporting ritual