Summer is a good time to start baby massage, which is often stripped. For some, baby massage is innate. This gesture touch oh how significant comes naturally from the birth of her baby. For others it will be more hesitant and less assured. I have repeatedly let me advise and practice with my little one, who appreciate these moments. Here is what I have learned ...

Prepare is good, feel is better

We may go workshops, reading books, accurately reproduce gestures, nothing will benefactor instinct and the desire to share this moment of relaxation. I say share because all our emotions and energy obviously pass through caresses and touch the baby. Feel good before touching baby also feel that baby wants to communicate to us.

Before you even take a course or read a book, I went to explore the sensations of the baby from birth. Noting very dry skin, I used the samples of oil to massage Weleda maternity hydrate and begin the practice of massage. Baby quickly expressed his contentment, nods to other acts by releasing its members or a smile, which shows which part of the body can be stimulated to relax. So baby I loved her ankle mass in a circular motion. Also toes, massaged one by one from the bottom to the nail, are popular areas. The inner thigh also. A bit like us, finally!

I did not feel comfortable leaving naked baby when he was born in the winter and venturing into long and complicated massages. Especially if I chose the moment after bathing baby was quickly annoyed by all what ensued (cleaning eyes, nose, ears, cord, dressing ...). I chose to massage in the middle of the afternoon just after the exchange, focusing on my legs and feet.

Sa patience ne fut pas la même vs. I enjoyed the application of Avene Cold Cream on his face often angry (especially when it starts to drool a lot!) To practice small massages. His patience was not the same vs. legs, and I found that the convenient exchange was not necessarily the right place to do it. For it is better to practice massage behind the baby's head to have his head well in our hands and to stabilize it. As a beautician is positioned to provide us a facial! Baby appreciate massage on the forehead, putting his two hands on his forehead and pulling the temples. Also small tapping at the jaw and around the mouth are popular and fun. I generally pursue until the time then wrap the ear gently back toward the chin. Always with two hands.

It was after the ^1st visit to the pediatrician I started to massage your baby's tummy. To facilitate transit, nothing like circular movements (in the sense of clockwise) to start ( workshop will teach you massage other handy gestures). It was very effective in relieving baby. Even now at 6 months, a little massage, even dressed is always welcome. This is probably the most calm massage baby, especially when he is not sleeping.

Speaking of sleep, it is in contact with the godfather of my little girl I chose this gesture can help baby fall asleep. Using your index finger, you gently caress between the eyebrows up and down, stopping at the edge of the nose.

Precautions when you want massage

Yes, you can venture to massage baby while forgetting that it is not an adult and his skin and organs are still immature and sensitive. Care should be taken.

• The choice of massage oil.

To be 100% safe, it is best to use a special baby oil, which has been designed to respect the fragile skin of the infant but that can be ingested without risk (as baby puts hands & feet in the mouth). The fact that the oil contains essential oils is not dangerous as long as they are well diluted (same as for pregnant women). The massage oil is important to support and facilitate the message. Do not hesitate to return as soon as the contact on the skin is smoother, while heating in the palm of his hands.

• The outside temperature

The room must be heated (25 ° C min) if the baby is naked. If partially dressed (in body with long sleeves for example), it will quickly warm up with our messages and hands warm, but baby can (more) cool quickly, so do not make the massage in a room with drafts.

• The timing of the massage

As I have mentioned at the beginning, it is best to choose a time when you are yourself relaxed. Personally, I do not like accumulating bath + massage because baby become nervous and impatient. Also it is advisable to avoid the massage before bedtime baby at risk he takes the "bad" habit of waiting for a massage office every night! And of course, if the baby is sick, we leave it alone.

It is almost impossible when baby grows, you can do a full body massage. Do not hesitate to split the massage, and stay tuned. If he does not want, no need to force baby.

• The atmosphere

No strong light. No noise (thank you neighbors!). Why not include the dissemination of essential oils to create a soothing atmosphere, but massage oil should fill this role?

For my part, I love the sweet music Putupayo Kids , especially Asian dreamland. Having music in the background also gives a certain rhythm to the massage, and can communicate orally, humming tunes with baby. As if, through music, baby would acquiesce to certain movements.

Side light, I love the lamp Philips Light Awakening, which allows me to adjust the intensity of light. Very useful when the prodigal massage at the end of the day.

I love perform massage on the changing table, because I am at the right height and do not hurt my back. However, growing baby, she took up residence and distracting quickly wanting to touch the usual elements. I noticed that when it is in an unknown environment, it will seek reassurance from me and will be more careful in my movements.

Products, books and workshops!

I have not tested thousands for a baby also get used to the smell as well as the texture.

• Dry Oil Body Organic Baby Officinea 100ml € 21.65

An excellent oil, very nice and sweet smell, very well tolerated baby (no allergen), and not too fat to avoid incidents (baby slides) and the clothes are stained. The vial is opened by turning the cap as a stick, is very convenient to pay the right amount. The smell is still ongoing, so if you have the opportunity to test the product in store to enjoy is better.

• Weleda Massage Oil 200ml, € 11.50

If you like Weleda baby products, you will not be lost with the oil smell recognizable. It is perfect for massages. I used it from birth to small and I have regretted some yellow stains on his clothes after use. We must therefore think about protecting the massage place.

Weleda has developed a special workshop to learn how to massage their babies. Tested and I have retained a lot of gestures, which have shown myself again at my spa treatment postnatal. We were five mothers in a heated room with our babies between 3 and 9 months, lying on a towel and each with an oil. A masseuse-physiotherapist taught us the practice of massage Weleda space for 1h. The children have been good, with a few tears of fatigue at the end but we all had a great time. The workshop costs € 50 per person.
More information about baby massage workshop here

Photo credit: Daniel Drago

Otherwise, if you feel comfortable alone Weleda paper provides a baby massage guide, illustrated with photos that takes in big gestures shown during the workshop. I find it ideal for mothers who attended the workshop and wish to reiterate the actions at home.

Another great book is to explain the benefits of baby massage, precautions, and some approaches massage (although difficult for me to put into practice without demo), Massage Baby directed by Euphia, the natural cosmetics brand . It is on sale at € 5 in pharmacies.

Really, for young mothers to Paris and visiting, I recommend the workshop, as this will give super good bases. And not just for baby massage, but also make him move and do gymnastics. In 1 hour, I learned a lot!

If you have any courses or books to recommend, or gestures, do not hesitate to share them here!