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In Indian massage, strokes are directed away
from the torso to relax the flexor muscle.
In Swedish massage, strokes are directed away
from the extremities of the torso, to bring the blood to the heart
and the lungs.
Regardless of the method used, it is important that firm pressure be
applied. Light, feather strokes can be aversive to the infant
because they are experienced as a tickle.
The Position for you and your baby
The massager should find a comfortable position for
massaging the baby. The adult's back should be straight; most of the
movement should come from the lower back.
For massaging newborns, many therapists recommend a cradle pose.
The adult sits on the floor with legs stretched, back supported
against furniture. The knees are bent slightly outward, with soles
of the feet touching each other.
The cradle created by the legs is then padded with blankets and
the infant is placed in the center. This position helps the infant
feel secure and conserve warmth. In addition, if the infant's head
is placed at the arches of the feet, the baby's head can be aligned
to ensure maximum eye contact.
Choosing the right oil
When parents are preparing for infant massage, experts
recommend that they lubricate the baby's skin to prevent
friction. Peanut and Almond oils have a pleasant aroma but are
frequently associated with allergic reactions in infants.
Vegetable oils can break down into other components that can be
harmful to a baby's skin. Many vegetable oils are not considered
pure, and should not be used on infant skin.
It would therefore be a safe bet to choose a mineral oil that is
pure, gentle, fast absorbing with a minimum amount of fragrance. 
Benefits of infant
massage
Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability. Digestion
is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is
also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for
emotional and physical growth and well-being.
Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function.
Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are
needed for brain and muscle development. Massage not only improves
your baby's circulation and heart rate, but also benefits her
breathing and digestion.
Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one
communication instills a massage of love and security.
As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and
longer sleep is often the end result.
The benefits of massage are manifold and these include the baby
and the mother both. Essential for her well-being and relaxation,
massage will also help her release the tension.
Hands down
Newborns have relatively short attention span so the
massage sequence should consist of only a few repetitions of each
technique. It is best to perform a full sequence everyday,
accompanied by a nursery rhyme or constant talking, which will have
the baby gurgling and cooing with delight. As the baby grows to
enjoy these sessions, you can increase the time you spend on the
massage.
Baby's massage should be carried out in a safe and climatically
appropriate temperature. Choose a time when the baby is not hungry
and just before a bath, so that the baby can enjoy it without being
disturbed by hunger pangs.
Immediate and long term
effects of massage
In a study done on babies to see the effects of massage on them,
researchers found that massaged infants had no problem falling
asleep. In addition, crying and cortisol levels decreased in the
babies that were regularly massaged, suggesting a reduction in
stress. As a long term effect, these babies gained more weight,
improved face to face interaction, demonstrated decreased levels of
urinary stress hormones and showed increased serotonin levels
suggesting less depression.
The head:
 Touch
the forehead, temples and the base of the cranium, eyebrows and
eyelids, nose, cheeks, the area around the mouth, ears and
surrounding area.
Jaws:
Gently make small strokes and massage the posterior part of the neck
with slow movements down to the shoulders.
Softly put both hands on the shoulders. Caress the baby from the
neck to the shoulders in the direction of his chest.
Shoulders and arms:
Form a ring with your fingers and thumb around your child's
arm. Begin to caress around the armpit and then go down along the
arm. Be very careful when you arrive at the elbow, it is a very
sensitive region.
Stomach:
Massage the stomach in a circular way (the genitalia area is
excluded from the massage). Caress the abdomen moving your hands
clockwise beginning below the ribs.
Legs:
Caress each leg with your whole hand, press gently on the
thighs. Slightly flex the legs and knees pressing the thighs
gently against the body.
Heels and feet:
A foot massage is very relaxing. Begin by putting a soft pressure on
each toe, then the foot and return to the toes again. Sometimes a
foot massage can help to reduce stomach pain. Caress gently all the
toes. Apply circular movements at the heels.
Back:
Turn your baby around. Begin with large and slow movements that
include head, neck,  back
and legs always in one direction. Give the baby soft strokes on
the shoulders and back and massaging with your fingertips with
circular movements. Do not massage the spinal cord, only put your
hands over it and let the baby feel the warm sensation.
Put your hands at the top of the legs and begin gently
caressing while working your way down towards the foot.
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