Thursday, November 25, 2010

Mom's special magic palms - Infant/Child Massage

The most stressful days a mom could ever have are when her child is sick.  Seeing your child not acting his usual happy, active days would be the most grueling experience a mom could ever feel.

But, what I know best are my most natural loving asset - my bare hands.  Hands that care and produce miracles.  This is the main reason I discourage any parent to use their hands to discipline or spank a child.  Because, hands are for loving and nurturing and God gave moms the  power to ease her child's pain through her hands by hugging or a loving touch by massages.

I have read a lot about infant massages. It has been a great sleeping potion for my kids especially those cranky moments when they were still babies.  It's like a shot of sleeping capsules at night and a wonderful fever busting relaxing moment during those nasty days of colds or flu-like symptoms.

Just this afternoon, my 6 year old son suddenly had a fever.  It was almost spontaneous for anyone to give medicines to lower a fever, but I know it would be a lot better to relax my son first, and give him a nice short "no pressure" massage.


My son is used to massages, I've been doing this since he's a month old.  Where I would occasionally (at least 3x a week) give him an after bath short massages using Epoch Baby Ylang Ylang Massage (Which, I couldn't get anymore here locally).  The moment I signal my open hands to him (our sign of massage), he'd already look at me and almost agreeing with delight, waiting for a good rub.


Naturally, nothing is more precious to me but to see my magic palms become a loving moment to my son.  I asked him if he wants a massage, he said yes.  I've prepped the room to be very calming and relaxing for him and I took the Human Heart Nature Eucalyptus Massage Oil and applied it on my palms.  I love this product, it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals like petroleum or mineral oil.  I also love the mild scent.

Human Heart Nature - Organic Eucalyptus Massage Oil  is the perfect massage oil I've used for my baby massages


Started with his back, with nice circling "NO PRESSURE" massaging strokes.  Then, his legs and toes, Palms and fingers, then finally his head and face.  Areas they love would be the earlobes, hair/head, feet.
A lil' of it goes a looong way!

After a few minutes of massages and a nice soothing Eucalyptus oil, my little boy falls asleep at 6PM and woke up with an unforgettable massage from mommy.  So memorable, that he told his dad my massages killed the bad guys inside his body.

This is my reward - my son's restful sleep only my hands could give.

Massaging kids should be relaxing.  No pressure at all, it is not work.  They have to allow you to massage them, if they don't seem to like it - don't or stop.  If you are tired and you feel it is just a necessity to do it for whatever reason, then don't do it.  Massages for kids should be pressure-free.  From the time you spend with them, to the time your hands touch them, up to the time you actually massage their skin.  There should be no pressure on mommy and child.
Love the moment and you will savour it.  See it as tedious and stressful or unnecessary - then yes, it will be.  But, for what I've experienced with my children, it is rewarding and very therapeutic for them and especially for me.

There is no trick to a good massage, just light, loving touches.  You would know it's good when you see that they're liking it too.  The only thing that will be hard is when they all want you to massage them all at the same time.  Well, gotta go... my little Callista needs one in a while.

If you want to learn how to do some simple baby massages, you can follow this link:

  • http://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/how-to-massage-baby/
  • http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/postpartum/infantmassage/index.php
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ4HPREfBgo