Some people like to massage just after a bath, others in the middle of the morning during baby's awake time. You and your baby should decide what is best. Massage can take anything from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. It is best not to massage immediately after feeding or when your baby is desperate to eat.

Before you start have a towel, clean diaper ready and pour some baby massage oil into a small bowl.

Begin by undressing your baby completely (have something nearby in case of accidents) and laying them on their back on a towel. Warm your hands by rubbing them together, then pour a little oil into them. Maintain eye contact, talk or sing to your baby as you are giving the massage. Start by massaging the legs and feet. Use gentle strokes from hip to the ankle, with your thumbs on the inner leg, gently rotating your hands inwards as you travel down the leg. Massage one leg at a time and finish by massaging the sole from heel to toe using your thumb.

Now massage the chest area, using gentle downward strokes one hand following another so there is continuous motion on your baby's skin. Gently massage the stomach using a clockwise stroke around the bellybutton. For colicky babies it is also beneficial to gently stroke along the line of the hip bone from side to center.

Massage your baby's face, with whatever oil is left on your hands, do not add anymore. Stroke outwards from the nose to the ears, and across the forehead. Be sure to avoid area around eyes. Finish the face by gently drawing one finger down from the forehead to the chin.

Turn baby over and slightly more firmly draw your hands down the back on either side of the spine. When your baby can hold up his head you may gently slide your hands down both arms at the same time from the shoulders and carefully pull your baby up so his head and shoulders come off the towel. This will help strengthen the back muscles in preparation for sitting.

At the end of the massage pick up your baby and wrap them in a towel or dress them.

A wonderful book on baby massage is Baby Massage : A Practical Guide to Massage and Movement for Babies and Infants by Peter Walker.

Written by Melina Macall of Muti Oils Baby Brand – coming soon to BabyDirect.com