Baby Massage

Hi

If you have had a go at massaging the legs, well done. You can do a little every day, as much as your baby will take. Remember to watch for clues that your baby has had enough, obvious crying, irritability, general discomfort. If you are aware of your baby's moods and signs, then life will be a little calmer for you. Stop massaging if your baby shows any of the above signs and wait a while. Try later in the day. You could put on the Gentle Hands CD and just play. Sometimes babies prefer to be more upright and want to look around, try to go with your baby's cues.

It can be difficult in the early weeks to let go of control and I know it sounds patronising, and every body says it, 'your baby has not read the manual', but I guess it's true.

So now to the feet.

You may need to replenish with a little oil. Supporting your left baby's foot in your left hand, (diagonally across) massage up each toe. In reflexology this may help with runny noses. As you you move up each toe with your thumb, you can chant 'this little piggy went to market'. On the last line, 'and this little piggy........, run your fingers up your baby's body and tickle gently in the neck.

Still supporting the foot, massage the whole of the sole of the foot.

Move on and do exactly the same with the other foot. Be gentle, fun and loving.

Sweep your hands up your baby's leg after doing each foot and do a few full length leg massages. Up and down, as in the earlier blogs. Have a lovely time and next blog we'll move onto games and songs with legs! ( Sounds exciting!)