May 31 2008
Baby Bliss Massage: Legs, Ankle and Feet
Will really enjoys his Baby Einstein jumper. After a 30 minute session of jumping, pressing buttons, spinning dials and playing music his legs and feet are tired. Below are a few of the techniques I use to relax his legs.
Leg Kneading: Time to knead the calves and thighs. Start with the whole hand lightly gliding over the whole leg from the ankle up to the hip. Hold the ankle in your hand and sweep up the leg with the other hand. Then form a U shape with your hand allowing baby’s calf to rest in your palm. Knead the calf with strong relaxed hands, then move up to the thigh, repeat kneading technique. Repeat on other leg.
Ankle Press and Roll: Taking baby’s foot in your hand, with your thumb and fingers gently massage baby’s ankle with a pressing, rolling motion. You can do both ankles at the same time, one in each hand. When massaging the heals be sure that baby’s hips remain on floor or surface of the bed.
Foot Massage: Holding baby’s foot in your hand, so that the thumb is on the bottom of baby’s foot and your fingers are on the top. Gentle press your thumb into the toe pad, then the arch and then the heal. Repeat this sequence a few times. Finally pinching the heal between the thumb and fingers.