This touch relaxation segment features three strokes for your baby’s chest. Both are great for soothing and settling tired, fussy or cranky babies, and are especially valuable lessons in the Huggies Baby Massage and Yoga programme.
You can use massage oil for these exercises.
Touch relaxation, heart of love & butterfly massage: a step-by-step tutorial
Softly talk to your baby throughout this routine, explaining what you’re doing and encouraging them to let go of any physical tension.
Sit loosely cross-legged on your yoga mat with your baby lying in front of you
Begin by asking baby’s permission to start. Then chant “Om” 3 times.
Touch relaxation:
Put a little massage oil in your palm and rub your hands together to warm the oil.
Place your hands on baby’s chest and quietly encourage the release of any tension.
Heart of Love:
Start with your hands side by side at the base of your baby’s chest.
Form a heart shape by stroking up towards the sternum (the hard bone in the centre of the chest over the heart). Move around the top of the chest, out towards the shoulders, and then down to the base of baby’s ribs.
Butterfly:
Place both hands at the hip bone or the side of your baby’s ribs. Slide your hand diagonally across your baby’s chest to the opposite shoulder, and then back to the starting position.
Keep your hands in contact with your baby’s chest as you repeat this stroke 5 times.
You can give your baby’s shoulder a little squeeze when you get there.
Alternate this stroke between your left and your right hands.
Finish by placing your hands lightly over baby’s chest.
