Adding Baby Massage to your Bedtime Routine

I’ve partnered with JOHNSON’S® on this sponsored post and all opinions stated are my own.

Bedtime is a crazy time around my house. Some nights it feels hectic and rushed and those are the nights that leave me counting down the minutes until the house is quiet.

When we slow down a bit and enjoy our bedtime routine, it goes smoother for everyone. Those relaxing bedtimes are the moments I know I’m going to remember when my kids are grown.

So how to you turn a crazy bedtime into a relaxing experience? Baby massage is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy your baby. It is relaxing for both of you and I feel like my babies sleep better after a calming massage.

How to Massage your Baby

Baby massage does not have to be complicated. I like to start with a bath so baby is already a bit relaxed. My twins are toddler age now and it can be tricky to get them to hold still but having a bath first definitely seems to help.

While you massage your baby, talk to her calmly. This is a great chance to bond with your baby and calm her down before bedtime. She’ll love to hear your voice. You could also play some soft music if that helps calm your baby down.

Start with the legs. If your baby is still wiggling a bit when you start, the legs are a great place to start. Your baby can’t move very far while you are holding on to her legs so it helps calm her down.

Use a mild lotion to help your hands glide. JOHNSON’S® New HEAD-TO-TOE™ extra moisturizing baby cream is perfect for this, especially as we move into winter and skin tends to be a bit dry. Babies’ skin loses moisture twice as fast as that of adults, making it more sensitive and prone to dryness so it is important to hold onto that moisture after they get out of the bath.

I love that JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE™ extra moisturizing baby cream leaves baby’s skin sensitive skin hydrated for up to 24 hours.

You can find JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE™ extra moisturizing baby cream and baby wash for $7.99 at most local retailers.

Start with a small amount of lotion.

You want just enough that it helps your hands glide but not so much that your baby ends up too slippery to hold.

Start at the top of the leg and rub down towards the feet, using the same motion you would if you were climbing up a rope. I like to use fairly quick motions to keep my baby interested but play around and see what your baby likes. Watch for body language. Your baby will be sure and let you know what she does and doesn’t like.

Massage the arms. Move on to your baby’s arms. Do one at a time, using the same motion you did for the legs. Start at the shoulder and rub down to the fingers. Rub each finger individually, squeezing slightly at the finger tip.

Massage the tummy. With your baby on her back, put a small amount of lotion on your hands and rub her tummy by putting your hands in the center of her chest and moving outward. Keep your hands flat to avoid anything that might tickle.

Roll your baby over and massage her back. At this point, your baby is probably getting fairly relaxed. Roll her over and rub her back. You can try a circular motion to start then use your hand to rub from the shoulders down to the lower back.

During the first three years of your baby’s life, every touch, every smell and every moment helps shape baby’s brain. Infant massage is a great way to practice loving touch and help you slow your bedtime routine down so it feels more loving and less hectic.

Have you practiced baby massage? How has it helped your bedtime routine?

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Rachel Lister

Rachel knows what it is like to be busy and worry about balancing everything without losing your sanity. As a mom of 6 incredibly different kids, including twins, she's just about seen it all . . . when she isn't too sleep deprived to notice. Rachel holds a B.A. in English and is a former teacher. She is the creator of Busy Mommy Media and works full time from home as a blogger and marketing consultant.

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