Baby Massage Techniques and Tips

Most mums see baby skin care is an important part of caring for baby’s health but did you know that baby massage can play an integral role in keeping your baby healthy and happy too?

Baby massage has been used in other cultures for centuries. It can be great for the parent and child bond, but that’s far from the only benefit.

It’s also believed to stimulate the immune system, improve circulation and digestion, aid the development of movement and coordination, reduce colic, promote better sleep and even stimulate growth in premature babies.

How do I massage?

As a mother, you can instinctively find your own natural abilities to massage your baby, making sure that baby is comfortable and enjoying the experience.

Making your baby feel cared for and caressed is only natural and is a wonderful way to make your little one feel loved and nurtured.

For those that would like to follow a specific technique, try using the baby massage sequence below.

To begin

Place the massage oil in the hands and rub vigorously to warm the liquid.

Start with your baby’s legs…..

Nurse the foot with one hand and gently “milk” the leg from ankle to thigh with the other.
Next, holding the foot with both hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from foot to thigh.
To finish, stroke from foot to the top of the thigh. Repeat all techniques on the opposite leg.

Next, move onto the tummy…..

Using both hands, palms flat, in a hand-over-hand clockwise circular motion, from left to right.

To relieve a bloated stomach, using your fingertips ‘walk’ in a clockwise circular motion around the belly.=

To massage the chest, glide both hands outwards from the centre of the ribcage up to the shoulders and back again ‘Bicycling’ the legs after this massage can also relieve pain. Always stop if a child becomes distressed or uncomfortable.

For the arms and hands…..

Nurse the babies hand with one hand and gently “milk” the arm from wrist to shoulder with the opposite hand.

Next, holding the babies arm with both your hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from wrist to shoulder.

To finish, stroke from wrist to the top of the shoulder. Repeat all techniques on the opposite arm.

Finally, the back…

Gently turn your baby onto his/her tummy for the back massage.
With your fingertips, gently massage little circles all over the back.
Lastly, use the waterfall stroke, which is palm of hand over hand moving from neck to feet continuously and slowly. At the end of this beautiful massage, it is lovely to give your baby a cuddle.

My top 10 expert baby massage tips:

• Massage after a bath when your baby is already undressed
• Giving a massage before bed is a great part of your bedtime routine, helping your baby to relax and settle for bed
• Make sure you’re in a warm room, with no drafts, bright lights, or excessive noise
• Have an organic oil or massage lotion ready in a plastic bowl beside you, so that you can dip into it without fiddling
•  Place baby on a thick towel or blanket
• Rub your hands vigorously to warm the massage oil or lotion before applying to the skin
• Keep your massage sequence short until you establish what parts your baby enjoys
• Be prepared for interruptions – a little baby may want to turn over. Just bear with them and continue with your technique where you left off.
• You can put baby on your lap, belly down, or resting on your shoulder if it’s easier
• Keep other children away from baby – give them their own doll to massage
• Always stop if the child shows signs of distress

In all aspects of the massage, be guided by your baby’s reaction. If they start to become upset, try softening the strokes (not so soft as to tickle) or try a different spot.

Being physically gentle is vital but it’s also important not to use a product that could irritate their beautiful skin, so choose a gentle, organic product which will not cause any harm when absorbed by the skin.

Get the ambiance right with a little soothing music and soft lighting, and you might find that baby massage is relaxing and beneficial for tired, stressed mums too!

Try the Little Innoscents Massage Oil to massage your baby.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. She has lectured in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however, if you are concerned about the health of your child, please visit your healthcare professional.

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a skin condition (a type of seborrheic dermatitis) that commonly affects babies for the first few months of life. It sometimes lasts longer and occasionally even adults can get it. Unlike other forms of dermatitis, it’s not itchy.

How to recognise Cradle Cap

If your baby has a scalp which has yellow dry skin crusts or a flaky appearance and no other symptoms (i.e. fever) this would suggests cradle cap. Sometimes present with redness or a ‘greasy’ look, it could also appear on eyebrows and behind the ears.

What causes Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap is an oily rather than a dry skin problem. Glands in the scalp make a substance which oils and waterproofs the skin. Babies may have high levels of certain hormones in their bodies after birth, which react with the glands, making surplus oil. There may be a genetic element involved as babies who get cradle cap often have family members with dermatitis, eczema or asthma.

Prevention and Treatment

Cradle cap usually clears by itself after a few months, but you can help treat it by using the Little Innoscents Massage Oil.

1. Apply the oil directly to the scalp and leave it for several hours or overnight.
2. Wipe the area with a washer when bathing, and then comb your baby’s head with a soft brush.
3. Repeat the process as needed and within a few applications the cradle cap will be gone.

The great news is that although cradle cap is unsightly it’s usually harmless. On a rare occasion however, it is possible for an infection to occur underneath cradle cap, which is indicated by very red skin and blisters, which may weep. Always see your healthcare practitioner if the cradle cap seems to worsen significantly and scaly patches spread to other parts of the body.

It’s interesting to note that a baby who develops cradle cap may be prone to other types of seborrheic dermatitis when they’re older, such as dandruff.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. Currently she lectures in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however if you are concerned about the health of your child; please visit your healthcare professional.

How to Use Essential Oils

Aromatherapy Essential oils are known to have a large range of benefits ranging from muscle pain relief to helping with quality sleep, relaxation, concentration, improving mood, boosting the immune system, relieving stress, inflammation and various skin conditions. They can also contain anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious and anti-viral properties, depending on the source.

There are many different ways that essential oils can be beneficial. We recommend that you always choose pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and that they are used in the following ways…

1. Diffused through the air:

Add 4-6 drops into an oil burner or oil diffuser.

2. In a bath:

Due to the potency, a small number of drops is all that is required. The reason for this is that oil and water do not mix as you may well know. Therefore the oils will float on the top of the water and attached on the edge of the bath and onto your skin.  Essential oils combined with hot water in the bath may potentially cause skin irritation. A safe, effective way to use essential oils in a bath is to mix them with a liquid which will be able to combine them so that they mix and disperse within the water, such as milk or a carrier oil such as jojoba. The milk or carrier oil protects your skin, and helps the essential oils disperse through the bath water making it safer for both children and adults.

3. On the skin:

Massage them into the skin by first mixing into a carrier oil base or in a skin cream base. It is recommended that you use only one or two drops in a base oil or cream for topical use and seek professional advice in order to address particular health issues such as dry or itchy skin conditions before applying.

4. Cleaning:

Add a few drops to a water spray bottle and shake well before spraying onto surfaces to use with a cleaning cloth. For floors, add a few drops to a bucket of hot water.

5. Orally (only under the guidance of a professional healthcare practitioner):

Historically many cultures and countries have ingested essential oils for simple health conditions. Yet in Australia under the strict guidance of TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) it is necessary for consumers to consult a professional healthcare practitioner if you wish to use the ingestion of essential oils for medicinal reasons. This does not include culinary reasons. There may be other suppliers in different countries that are unaware of the Australian local laws and requirements in relation to essential oil medicinal ingestion usage. Little Innoscents complies fully with the Australian law usages of essential oils.

Tranquility Pure Essential Oil Blend contains Geranium, True Lavender, Peppermint

Click the image to download our Essential Oil Guide

The Little Innoscents Signature Scents range of essential oils are made using premium, individually selected essential oils and blends. Developed by an Aromatherapist, these oils are high quality and encourage the natural flow of energy to achieve balance in your life! Whether you need to get a more restful night’s sleep or boost your energy levels, there is an oil that can help. Each essential oil blend works to balance your mood and help you breathe a little easier day to day. In this fantastic range, there are 22 different pure aromas and 9 aroma blends to choose from to suit whatever your needs.

To read about the individual usage benefits of each essential oil and Frequently Asked Questions about the Little Innoscents range, download the Little Innoscents Essential Oil Guide or view more detailed information for each oil in our aromatherapy online store.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however if you have any concerns, please visit your healthcare professional.

MULTI-TASKING SKINCARE PRODUCTS

There are some great reasons for going multi-purpose with your natural and organic skin care products. You not only save money, but you save on packaging waste, as well as space in your bathroom cupboards!

We’ve put together some of our favourite men’s and women’s beauty ideas for products from the Little Innoscents range. If you have some multitasking product ideas that we’ve missed, please drop us a line.

The Kaolin Clay in this Mineral Powder is the perfect base for a face mask

KAOLIN CLAY MASK

Kaolin clay comes in a few different colours and varieties; however, white kaolin clay is the most delicate and is one of the best to use for sensitive skin.

Kaolin Clay benefits:

• Calming and soothing for sensitive skin
• Helps to detox and remove impurities
• Good for treating redness and brightening the skin
• Exfoliates and softens the skin
• Suitable for dry or oily skin (has a balancing effect)
• Suitable for acne prone skin

It’s very simple to make your own organic clay mask using the Little Innoscents Mineral Powder.

What you need:

1. 1 tbsp of Little Innoscents Mineral Powder
2. 1 tsp of oil of choice (almond, olive, avocado, macadamia etc)
3. 1 tbsp or cooled chamomile tea or water
4. Small bowl and spoon

Mix ingredients until well combined, adding more tea/water if the mixture needs to be thinned out. Apply to face and leave for up to 10-15 minutes for dry to normal skin or up to 20 minutes for oily skin. Gently rinse off with warm water and finish with a toner and moisturiser of your choice.

The sunflower and jojoba oil in the Little Innoscents Massage Oil makes a great oil cleanser

FACIAL OIL CLEANSE

The oil cleansing method is a concept that has grown rapidly in popularity in recent times. You may wonder how using oil can clean your skin, however, if you remember back to your chemistry classes, you’ll recall that ‘like dissolves like’ and this applies with using oil on your skin by gently dissolving and cleaning away the old oil and impurities that have built up over the course of the day. This means that there is no need to use harsh soaps or chemicals which can strip your skin too much and lead it to over-produce its natural oils.

Jojoba and Sunflower oils are both recommended for use in the oil cleansing method, and both of which are the base for the Little Innoscents Massage Oil, making it the perfect, ready-made oil to use for your face. Both are suitable for all skin types, and Jojoba in particular for those that may be acne prone.

Basic Oil Cleansing Method:

1. Use a wash cloth and wet face with warm water
2. Pour approximately a teaspoon of Little Innoscents Massage Oil into your hands and rub together
3. Massage the oil over your face for around 1 – 2 minutes, then let the oil sit for an extra 30 seconds
4. Soak your washcloth in hot water from the tap, squeeze out the excess and allow it to cool a little so that it’s not hot enough to burn your skin, and apply the warm washcloth to your face and leave it on for 10-15 to soften the oil before wiping it off. Rinse and repeat until the oil is cleaned from your skin.

For a deeper cleanse: Blend Little Innoscents Massage Oil with Cold Pressed Caster Oil. Use a ratio of 2/3 castor oil for oily skin, ½ for normal and 1/3 castor oil for dryer skin.

MORE QUICK TIPS FOR MULTITASKING BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hand and body cream: Little Innoscents Organic Moisture Rich Body Lotion
No need to have a different product in your bag for you and baby. This moisturiser is perfect for mum too.

Organic Night Cream: Little Innoscents Intensive Soothing Cream
This cream has done wonders for the skin problems of many of our customers, and its not just for their babies. Great for dry, chapped or sunburned skin on the face. Smooth it onto the face after cleansing before bed and then let the soothing Aloe Vera and Calendula extract do their work.

After Shave Lotion: Little Innoscents Intensive Soothing Cream
Works well as a cooling, moisturizing post shave skin lotion.  The soothing ingredients replenish and restore skin’s balance.

Lip Balm/Lip Gloss: Little Innoscents Organic Paw Paw Balm
Try our petroleum free Organic Paw Paw Balm on your lips as a balm for chapped lips or as layer it over a natural lipstick for some extra glossy shine.

Hair Oil: Little Innoscents Massage Oil
Jojoba and Sunflower oils are well-known for use in hair care and together, these are the main ingredients in the Little Innoscents Massage Oil. For a leave-in treatment, apply to the scalp and leave in for 30 minutes before washing. Alternatively, you can apply a little bit to your ends after washing.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however if you have any concerns, please visit your healthcare professional.

Did you know?

Eczema occurs in up to 30% of the Australian population across a range of ages. It often begins in infants between 2 to 6 months and usually improves as they grow older.

What is Eczema?

Eczema (sometimes called dermatitis) is a dry, red and itchy condition that causes the skin to become inflamed or cracked, and in some cases weep. The cause of eczema is still not known, however it can sometimes be linked to allergies, asthma or hay fever. An outbreak can be triggered by various things including: heat (hot baths, dry air, overheating in bed), soap, detergents, medicated and perfumed products, bubble baths, fabric, allergies to food, dust mites, pollens and fur.

Before and after using Little Innoscents Intensive Soothing Cream

Our Tips for Prevention and Treatment of Eczema

Prevention of an eczema outbreak is preferable to treating one. One of the keys to prevention is to avoid chemical based products. Many eczema sufferers also say that using steroid free, organic skin care products in general reduces the frequency and/or the severity of their outbreaks.

1. Avoid Triggers

Avoid the main aggravating factors, such as overheating, air conditioning, exposure to pets, exposure to grasses and pollens and contact with chemical irritants.

2. Bathing and Cleansing

Use gentle, chemical free products such as our Organic Goats Milk Cleansing Bar or Organic Hair and Body Wash that will not dry the skin out.

3. Clothing

Wear loose fitting clothing made from natural fibre such as 100% cotton or bamboo. For babies or young children that scratch the affected areas, mittens can stop them scratching and exacerbating the flare up.

A big improvement in the eczema around the mouth after using our Intensive Soothing Cream

4. Soothe and repair

• Apply a healing cream such as our Intensive Soothing Cream with 100% natural and nutritious Shea Butter as a base, healing Calendula extract and Rosewood essential oil as the therapeutic components. We have many testimonials from customers who have shown amazing results from using our soothing cream.

5. Moisturising

• Keep skin well moisturised, with organic skin care products such as our Moisture Rich Lotion or Paw Paw Balm to avoid unnecessary drying of the skin that can lead to irritation

After 1 month of using Little Innoscents Intensive Soothing Cream

Other Tips

• Avoid the main triggers, such as overheating and contact with chemical irritants.
• Reduce itching by using wet dressings or cool compresses. If scabs develop, remove by bathing in lukewarm water to soften the scabs, and then gently wiping the crusts off with a soft, wet towel.
• The above suggestions are not to be regarded as medical advice.
• For ongoing cases, consult your healthcare practitioner.

May is Eczema Awareness Month in Australia for 2017. Find out more on how to manage and treat eczema at www.eczema.org.au.

We have put together an Eczema Care Pack for a very special price, with products that will help to soothe and treat. Find it here.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy.