A GENTLE INTRODUCTION TO TOUCH

Introducing Touch To Your Baby
Massage and yoga routines can be fun and are a great way for you to spend tome with your baby; but sometimes the full routines can be too stimulating, particularly for the newborn. However, your baby's need to be touched and to feel secure is still important, and there are other ways of introducing touch before you start the massage and yoga.

Holding And Containment To Help Your Baby Feel Secure
Today, with so many baby carriers, such as car seats that also double as pushchairs, a baby's need to be held is easily overlooked. Your baby has lived the first nine months of their life in the warm, safe, confined space of the womb. During this time, they are able to float effortlessly; moving, kicking and stretching, completely protected and safe. By the end of the nine months period the womb becomes very confined, limiting a baby's movement and giving them the greatest sense of containment. A baby's next experience is that of a big, wide world - with lots of open space to deal with.

When a newborn baby is held in someone's arms they are able to maintain a more natural foetal position - their legs are bent at the knee and held towards their body, and their arms are in much the same position, giving them the sense of security that they experienced before birth. This position is lost when the baby is placed in a cot or car seat, or on a changing mat - along with their sense of security.

Swaddling
The steady pressure when swaddled gives a baby the feeling of security and comfort that they felt in the womb. Sheets and blankets draped over them and tucked in at the sides of a pram or cot just do not offer the same level of comfort. However, not all babies want to be swaddled, but many do.

Swaddling can:

• be relaxing for a baby
• reduce startling
• reduce crying
• possibly lower the heart rate of a fractious baby

When you find that your baby does not settle when you put them in their cot or pram, when they are clearly in need of a sleep, try swaddling them in a very thin cotton blanket or flannelled cot sheet. It is important not to cover their face, and also allow them access to their own hands, in case they want to suck them.

Swaddling

How To Swaddle Your Baby

• Place the sheet on a flat surface and fold down the top right corner about 15 cm so the sheet is a triangle.
• Place your baby on the sheet on their back with their head just above the fold.
• Gently support their hands up towards their chin so they can get them to their mouth, if they wish to.
• Pull the corner near your baby's left hand across their body, and tuck this around their right elbow and secure it under their back.
• Pull the bottom corner by their feet up towards your baby's hands.
• Bring the right-hand corner over and tuck it under their back on the left side.

Safety Tips

• Leave your baby to lie on their back when swaddled.
• Make sure the baby is not over-dressed (no more than a vest and baby clothes).
• Do not use extra covers unless the room is very cool.
• Make sure the sheet does not wrap around your baby's head.
• Avoid using a blanket with lacy holes in it.

Calming Techniques

Self-calming
Young babies who are upset are less able to calm themselves without support and are unable to understand and manage the state they are in. They need help to actually deal with their distress, so that they are able to return to a more balanced 'happy' place.

However, babies are actually capable of calming themselves with the support of a loving, patient parent. By watching your baby you will learn ways to support them when they try to 'self-calm'. For example, from a young age, a lot of babies suck on their fingers or thumbs, as they find this extremely comforting. Sometimes your baby my manage to get their finders into their mouth all by themselves; however, particularly in the early days after birth, they may struggle to do this and will need your help to guide their fingers. A little guidance from you can make all the difference!

Thumb-sucking is not the only comforting technique for a baby; there are many others that you might find your baby responds to. For example, some babies find it easier to manage their behaviour and become calmer when:

• they are swaddled
• they have the opportunity to focus on a patterned surface
• they are held in the Kangaroo Containment Hold , facing towards a blank wall
• they are held in the Lazy Lion Containment Hold , looking towards the floor.

You may find the following holds are useful for your baby particularly if they are in need of soothing.

Containment Holds

Activity
The Kangaroo Containment Holds

• Whilst you are in a standing position, support your baby by cuddling them close to your chest with one arm and taking their weight with the other hand.
• Have their back to your chest, so that they are facing outwards.
  

Kangaroo Containment Hold (1)

Kangaroo Containment Hold(2)

Lazy Lion Containment Hold

• Support your baby by laying them along one of your arms, facing downwards with their head by their your elbow.
• Your arm should support their weight, whilst your hand is holding the top of a leg firmly.
• Rest your free hand on their back for extra support.

An Introduction To Massage For Your Newborn Baby
The full massage routine may be over-stimulating for your newborn baby, so we suggest that you initially introduce your baby to some gentle stroking. Long, sweeping strokes over their clothes are particularly good for helping accustom your baby to massage. Your baby may find these strokes soothing and calming; although it is still important to watch for any negative cues. The full routine can be introduced gradually as your baby becomes ready for a more stimulating massage.

Activity
A suitable routine for your newborn baby.
The following strokes are ideal to use when your baby is clothed.
Stroke A: Soothing Stroke

Baby on side

Either with your baby lying on their side (or in the Lazy Lion position):

• place a hand gently on your baby's head
• stroke down their back to their bottom
• repeat several times whilst talking or singing to them soothingly.

The Velvet Cloak

Either with your baby lying on their back on a changing mat or on your lap:

• bring both your hands to the top of their head
• using the flat of your whole hand, lightly strokes down the sides of their body to the feet
• repeat several times.

The Sole Stroke

Direction for the Sole stroke

This stroke can be done immediately after a nappy change, before you re-dress your baby:

Either with your baby laying on their back on a changing mat or on your lap:

• with their leg slightly raised, cup their foot with both hands
• alternating your thumbs, stroke the sole of the foot, from heel to toes, fanning your thumbs from the centre to the side
• repeat three or four times on both feet.

Helping A Baby Feel Secure During Massage And Yoga

Introducing massage

• If your baby is unhappy about being completely undressed, only uncover the actual area of their body that is to be massaged. Once your baby is comfortable with the massage routine they will happy to be completely undressed.
• Some babies like to feel a boundary around them during massage. Create a boundary by:

- rolling up a bath towel, length ways (like a sausage) and placing it around your baby
- leaning against a wall, or solid piece of furniture, and cocooning your baby between your legs
- using a changing mat that has inflatable sides. This may help your baby feel secure.

• Your baby may like to be massaged whilst they are in your arms. However, you will need to adapt the massage a little, so that you can manage with just one hand. This is a lovely way to do the massage, giving you the opportunity to have a cuddle at the same time.
• Chatting to your baby will help to reassure them during the massage, particularly if you speak in a soft, gentle voice or sing lullabies and nursery rhymes.

Introducing Yoga

• The yoga moves are more energetic than the massage, so:
  - introduce the massage routine to your baby first
  - introduce yoga gradually, beginning with the Kangaroo and Lazy Lion Holds
  - start with the more gentle exercises that keep your baby close to you.
• Unless combined with the massage routine, there is no need to undress your baby.
• Just as you have done with the massage, use nursery rhymes and lullabies to reassure your baby.

Summary

• Swaddling may be useful to try with your baby, as they may enjoy the feeling of security and comfort this can give them.
• Understanding what your baby does to calm themselves when they are upset and helping them to achieve this when they are unhappy, will make them feel loved and secure.
• Containment holds, such as the Kangaroo and Lazy Lion Holds, may help your baby feel secure and will give you the opportunity to gradually introduce massage and yoga to them.
• Introduce massage and containment holds to your baby before the yoga exercises, so that they do not find it all too much.