Sleeping Aids - Bathing Baby & Baby Massage

Bathing baby and baby massage are wonderful sleeping aids in settling baby before bedtime and is also a great bonding time for mother and baby. With preparation and practice, mother and baby can enjoy a relaxed time.

Bathing Baby:

Prepare everything needed first before the bathtime and never at any stage leave baby alone in the bath as drowning can occur over a very small volume of water. If there is a need to answer the phone or the knock on the door, take baby with you.

Make water a comfortable 30 degree Celsius or 85 degree Fahrenheit temperature. Elbow test will suffice making sure water temperature is comfortable for baby.

Always maintain a secure grip under baby's arm and his back supporting his head and neck. Some babies prefer to be bathed on their tummies. I have seen screaming babies calmed immediately when bathed in the tummy facing down position. Prop his face and chin up with your wrist section whilst maintaining a grip under his arm.

Make sure a warm towel is within handy reach and dry baby paying particular attention to creases under the folds of his skin.

Baby Massage:

Baby massage is relaxing and calming for mother and baby. It is a good method to settle Newborns. They prefer a gentle back massage whilst lying on their sides. Start with the back, forehead, head, tummy, legs and then feet. One drop of natural baby oil such as jojoba is good. Avoid mineral oils. Make sure baby is in a comfortable warm environment preferably on floor level as mother's hands can be a bit oily to handle slippery baby.

There are no hard or fast rules for baby massage again it should be a relaxed time to be enjoyed with baby.

Some baby massage tips are:

gently massage baby's forehead then head

gently massage from center of chest to sides

gently massage from baby's back of neck to his bottom

gently massage from shoulders to fingers, individual fingers

gently massage from legs to ankles, heel to toe.