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Infant Massage Techniques and Information
Sandy Brown, Parent Educator from the Door County Birth to 3 Program, provides
a "Hands On" experience for the Mothers and Fathers regarding Infant and Toddler Massage during
our March 2007 Parent Meeting.
1) Begin with baby’s
feet. Using your thumb and index finger, stroke from toe to heel along the sole of the foot and toe to ankle on the top of
the foot.
2) Now, hold baby’s leg gently at the ankle with one hand and using a slow, gentle circular motion,
stroke from baby’s ankle to hip with alternating hands.
3) Move to baby’s hands.
Open baby’s hand with your thumb and gently stroke the palm and top of the hand. Gently roll each of baby’s fingers
between your index finger and thumb.
4) Hold baby’s wrist with one hand and stroke from the wrist to the shoulder. Then, massage around
each shoulder with gentle, small, circular motions.
5) Using a circular motion and
light touch, stroke baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction below the rib cage. Avoid baby’s naval if the cord is
still attached.
6) Then, place both hands on the center of baby’s chest. Gently stroke out to the sides,
bring your hands down and then back up to the center of the baby’s chest.
7) Cradle baby’s head
with you hands. Using both thumbs, gently stroke baby’s head in a circular motion, moving around crown and ears. Avoid
baby’s soft spots.
8) Place baby on tummy or in upright position. Start with both hands together on baby’s
back. Slowly stroke baby from the shoulders to the buttocks and back to the shoulders.
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