The Art of Baby Massage

I have been wanting to do baby massage ever since I read about it in Dr. Sears's "The Baby Book"--long before Xavier was born. However, there never seemed to be a good time to do it. I attempted it once when Xavier was about a week old, but it didn't really work too well. Xavier was way too upset and I just couldn't get past the beginning "Relax" cue.

Today, after getting the book out to read about other things, I again came across the section on Baby Massage. After reading through it again I decided to give it a try, this time making a few modifications from how I had attempted it previously.

I sat on the floor up against the coach and cradled Xavier on my lap lengthwise, on top of a warm towel, while Hypnobabies music played in the background. I used coconut oil from the small tub of oil I had received from a friend to use while I was pregnant. I began by asking Xavier for permission to massage him. I then gave a cue to relax by bicycling his legs and repeating the word "Relax" 3 or 4 times. I then proceeded to massage.

I began with his legs, as Dr. Sears instructs. Xavier responded with an approving smile. He seamed to be enjoying himself. I moved on to his abdomen. He began to get cranky. I debated whether to keep going in the same spot, move to another area, or simply stop and save the rest of the message for later. Well, I chose the second option. I quickly moved to his chest and then hands and arms, all the while he kept getting fussier and fussier. During the fussiness he even peed, soaking through the towel and my PJ pants.

I decided to stop the massage, wrap him up in the towel and just hold him for awhile, thinking that this would calm him down. However, wrong again! the fussiness turned into a total meltdown!

In the midst of taking care of Xavier during the melt down (diapering, clothing, rocking him, etc...) I managed to knock over the tub of coconut oil, which I didn't discover until several minutes later.

So, our first massage experience did not yield my planned result, but all in all not too bad. Perhaps next time I will stop after the legs and feet.

As for the oil, I managed to soak up some of it with a towel. Luckily, the remaining spot isn't so noticeable... well, let's see if Spencer notices when he gets home. ;)