Massaging Your Child: A Step By Step Guide

So, I already know the first thing you're thinking, "When will I find time to massage my child?" And, I will tell you that you need to find the time. Massage not only holds lifelong benefits for your child, but also for you. Babies and children who receive massage score higher on intelligence tests and are healthier in many ways as compared to other children.

Now, do you have to find an hour everyday to massage your child? No! You have probably felt the relaxation associated with even just a ten minute shoulder rub, imagine sharing this with your little one too.

Okay, so how do you get started? Don't worry if you feel that you've missed the very popular Baby Massage time. It doesn't matter. You can start massaging your child at anytime, and the great thing, it's easy to do.

You might be saying, "My child isn't going to stay still for a massage." As children grow and become more active, you can easily keep up with their busy bodies and adapt the massage to continue with this nurturing touch.

Here are some easy steps so you can start using massage with your child right now:

Getting Ready:

* Relax! Take some deep breathes, turn off your cell phone and take your time. Be calm and flexible.

* Allow baby to move to different positions if she chooses to. You can massage whatever part of the body is in front of you, even if your little one tries to roll over, sit up or stand.

* Now before your begin, speak in a soft, soothing voice and smile at her. This will be helpful in stimulating her senses and overall make her feel more comfortable. Permission is important. Always ask your child if they would like to receive a massage by making eye contact and verbally asking out loud, "Is it okay if I give you a massage?" Remember, don't take it personally if your child doesn't want to receive a massage. Respect their independence, right to say no to unwanted touch and ability to make choices.

* Keep baby warm and cover areas you will not be massaging. You can massage over clothing (without oil), or by placing your hands directly on your baby's skin. If you want to massage directly on the skin, I would recommend you use a little oil. The warmth of the skin to skin contact can be very helpful for relaxation, stimulation and constipation.

* Warm your hands by rubbing them together. This will help your baby to recognize this cue as "massage time".

Massage Time:

If your little one is laying down facing you,

* Start by placing your warmed hands around the top of baby's leg at the hip

* Cupping her leg, gently stroke downward towards her foot

* Do not put any pressure on baby's knee or ankle

* Then stroke the bottom of her foot and gently hug each little toe

* Next kiss her feet, babies love this!

* Repeat these strokes on the opposite leg.

The tummy should not be massaged right after eating. If baby has not recently eaten (within 30 minutes), go ahead and introduce your touch to her belly.

* Place your hands at her belly button and move them in a clockwise motion

* This movement can help ease the pains associated with gas, constipation and has been known to ease colic

Next, go ahead and move on to her arms.

* Repeat the same soothing strokes that we used on the legs

* While doing massage, continue to make eye contact and check in with her. If you enjoy singing or telling stories, feel free. Whatever makes you both feel relaxed is perfect!

Massage should be continued only as long as both you and your child are enjoying it. Continue massaging if she is still enjoying it. If not, feel free to let her be the boss. Babies are very good at letting us know when they've had enough.

Now, move on to her back.

* Stroke her back, starting at the shoulders, over bum and down the legs, showing extra care not to put any pressure on her spine

* Continue stroking her back a few times

* End with a hug and kiss!

Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidzâ„¢ Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

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About Tina Allen, LMT, CIIT, CIMI

Looking for tips and techniques to improve your child's health? Find answers to all your questions about infant massage instruction training, children's and pediatric massage at http://www.liddlekidz.com . Infant Massage Instructor Trainer, Tina Allen, founder of leading children's health and nurturing touch organization Liddle Kidzâ„¢, shares over ten years of expertise working with children and families.


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Get a Low APR Mortgage Fast!

Getting a mortgage is easier nowadays than it has ever been, although there are still one or two pointers you should always bear in mind when applying for a loan. Firstly, keep an eye on general interest rates - what you need to remember is that simply having a low rate does NOT make a bigger loan more 'affordable', you still have to pay off the money somehow at the end of the loan, and in these low-inflation times, a big loan now will still be a big loan in 20 years time! This is why 'interest only' loans (loans that do not require you to repay any of the capital each month) are maybe not such a great idea anymore.

Interest rates tend to follow an inverse relationship to Wall street - when the stock market is rising, interest rates tend to fall and vice versa. This is because investors are always looking for the best return on their investments. If you keep an eye on the Fed rate, and the rates offered by the big Savings and Loans, you won't go far wrong. Key to understanding interest rates is the concept of 'APR' or 'Annual Percentage Rate'. This is a figure used to compare loans from different lenders on a 'fair' basis, because most loans nowadays have different conditions and extras attached to them that have a direct monetary value.

In the USA and elsewhere, mortgage companies must disclose the APR when they advertise a loan rate. This shows the true cost of the loan to the borrower, expressed simply as an effective yearly rate. It basically stops lenders from hiding fees and front-loaded costs behind the small print of what appears to be a low interest rate. Here's a simple example. Say you borrow $100 for a year at 5% interest (i.e. you will owe $105 at the end of the year). Say you also have to pay a $5 'introduction' fee, and your total cost to borrow the money will then be $10. What this means is that the APR is actually 10%, even though the advert that drew you to the loan in the first place may have legitimately quoted '5%' elsewhere. The APR, however, must admit that the real rate is equivalent to 10%.

Having decided on the loan you want, your next step is to meet with the lender. Nowadays, most people prefer to meet with the mortgage company before starting the hunt for a house because by 'pre-qualifying' like this, you become more attractive as a buyer. The seller will know you are a serious buyer because you already have your finance in place, and can thus probably move quickly if a deal is struck. It also means you only go see houses in the right price range - nothing hurts more than finding a dream home then failing to get a loan for it due to the size of loan required.

When you meet the lender, always remember to ask what kind of 'lock in' deals they are offering. A lock in, also called a rate lock or rate commitment, means the lender will hold a quoted interest rate and a certain number of points for you while your loan application is being processed. Some lenders allow you to lock in the interest rate and number of points you'll be charged when you file your application, some do it during processing of the loan, while others prefer to do it when the loan is approved, or later.

And now all you have to do is find that dream house!

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About Bill Teddings

Mr Teddings is an independent advisor who writes mortgage articles for a number of publications, including www.mortgagedown.com the free site dedicated to showing YOU how to get those mortgages payments down, as fast as possible.