Baby massage

[barb]

Hi All,
I am trying to find information, experience, etc. about baby massage.
We are not into massage at all, I only had it once in my life while I was preggo (due to backache), and honestly it wasn't great, I was in so much pain after for days...:-((
So my son is just a bit over 8 months old. He is a really happy child, absolutely no problems at all. He eats well, sleeps well, plays well, so to speak. :-))))
My girlfriend is obsessed with the idea, she has a 5 week old, and they've been doing it basically since he was born. I am not sure if he enjoys it though...
She'd like me to come with her to one of these courses, it's a 4 class course ($80), and they say that they teach you how you can massage your baby to sleep..(????)
I am not sure if I want to go though, if I believe it..
I was also told that the child can be in pain if not during but after a massage..
So I am looking for any advice on the subject.
Thanks, Barb.

[Kmn]

Massage for babies is much gentler than massage to get knots out of muscles.
But I really don't think you need a course - especially not with an older baby.

After his bath, just grab some edible oil (we use grapeseed because it's not very smelly) and pour a little on your hands and then rub it on bub - think about stroking him as if he were a cat, rather than the pronging massage that is used to fix specific sore places in adults.

My bub, who is a similar age to yours, enjoys being "slimed", and a bonus is it helps with dry skin. Any pleasant touch will help a bub relax and sleep - I don't think there is anything magic about massage as such.

[Hansie]

Hi barb,
We have done massage with our DS since he was 8wks old and DS loves it. DH found it to be something that he could do with DS when he was very young as quality time. the only time DS was upset was the first time we did massage on his back and that is normal because they are not used to being in that position. At the end of each class we would wrap bubs and leave them resting on the pillow and just have a chat with the rest of the group more times than not all the bubs would fall a sleep as they are relaxed and the mood is tranquil.
For people with colicy or windy babies alot of the massage movements can help with relieving these symptoms. Alot of the babies would also have bowel movements during the massage as result of some of the tummy strokes.
Hope you enjoy the class if you decide to go.

[Snacks]

Hoobley posted a good thread a while back about the benefits of baby massage. I'll have a rummage around and see if I can find it for you.
As the others have said, baby massage is not Remedial (as in to 'remedy') but it is just gentle soft strokes that relax baby and make them more sensorially aware of their bodies.
It's not for everyone, and if you don't want to do it, don't. My little girl never really got into it - she was too much of a wriggler! At 8 months, you may find your DS doesn't really appreciate lying still to receive one if he's not used to it
It's up to you of course, but there are definitely theoretical benefits.

and they say that they teach you how you can massage your baby to sleep

Like anything though I am deeply sceptical of ANYONE who claims they can 'make your baby sleep'. Perhaps sleep is a happy side effect of massage for some babies, but it ain't going to work for absolutely everyone.
ETA: LOL it is a sticky Baby Massage

[KimmyF]

I never been to a class on baby massage but our MCHN told us that rubbing some oil over our bubs body after our bath is a lovely bonding experience and good for their dry skin, you don't need to use any fancy baby massage oil we were told to use grapeseed oil or extra light olive oil. She also said never to massage bub when they are upset and to stop if the get upset. Hope you got some good info if u went to the class

[barb]

Hi Moms,
Thanks for all your comments.
I think I just made up my mind: It's not for us.
I talked with hubby and he agrees, we never went, so why start now with our bub??
We both bond plenty all day, we are very affectionate, so don't really need this.
Thanks for all your input,
Barb.