Indian techniques in baby massage

IN MANY ASIAN CULTURES, particularly on the Indian sub-continent, baby massage is a traditional part of day-to-day care. Mothers learn the techniques from their own mothers or mothers-in-law. Sometimes,massage begins on the first day of life, but it usually starts when the baby is about five days old,once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off, and continues until the child can walk.Traditionally the oils used are mustard-seed oil in the winter,because it is warming, and coconut oil in the summer because of its cooling properties.There is often no set routine. Mothers start on
the areas their baby likes best and work towards what is least enjoyed. Massage strokes and stretches are very like those shown in Key Techniques. and they have similar benefits.
If you would like to try massaging your baby while sitting in the Indian massage positions, ensure you keep your back straight – support your back against a wall if you need to.Once you are comfortable, place your baby on your lap in either of the positions shown here. Begin with the one that allows you to perform your baby’s favourite strokes, then move on to the other.
ACROSS THE LAP
Use the techniques given for Back of the Baby, performing them with your baby lying across your lap. Once she has learned to turn over, she may not want to spend
as much time on her back, so this position may be preferable.
ALONG THE LAP
With your baby in this position, you can easily massage her arms, hands, chest, abdomen and legs.You can also perform stretches, but you may need to bring her slightly closer to you in order to massage her head and face