Infant Massage for NICU Babies

Alicia Fonder

Updated July 30, 2024 18:44

I’ve heard that I can massage my baby in the NICU. Why should I try this, and how can it be done?

Benefits of Infant Massage

Infant massage provides many benefits for premature babies and their parents. This increase in bonding may have a positive impact for years to come.

For Baby:

Reduces pain and stress
Can shorten the NICU stay
Improves weight gain and feedings (improves latch and breastfeeding!)
Promotes deeper sleep
Aids in healthy brain and nervous system development

For Parents:

Decreases stress, anxiety and depression
Increases satisfaction and confidence in caring for their baby
For nursing moms, can increase the hormone prolactin which triggers milk production

Parents can learn how to massage their infants, with guidance from hospital staff and their doctor’s approval. It’s best to start the massage when baby is calm, sleepy or sleeping, and stop if baby seems uncomfortable or distressed.

Leg and foot massage show the best outcomes. Here’s how:

Keep baby swaddled, exposing one leg at a time.

- Rub Aquaphor (or cold pressed oils, like coconut or safflower) between your hands to warm. Gently touch baby’s leg and wait. Preterm babies can be sensitive to touch, so allow baby to adjust before starting the massage.
- Using gentle, smooth strokes, move down the leg with one hand over the other, covering as much of the leg as possible. (For very small preemies, use just fingertips.)

Support baby's foot/ankle with one hand.

- Using the other hand, start at the top of the leg, gently sliding down to the ankle and back up the leg, bringing your fingers together as you move.
- Repeat this motion several times, adding more Aquaphor as needed.

Massage baby's foot.

- Support under the leg with one hand, and use the opposite thumb to slide up and down the foot, from heel to toes. Repeat.
- Carefully roll each toe between your thumb and finger.
- Slide your thumb from the toes to the heel in a downward motion.
- Press and gently release the sole of the foot with your thumb, from heel to toes.

Move back up the leg starting at the top of the foot.

- Slide your fingers toward baby’s ankle.
- Make small, gentle circles with your fingers around the ankle.
- Slowly move up the leg starting at the ankle, covering as much of the leg as possible. (For very small preemies, use just the fingertips.) Slowly move up the leg from the ankle to the top, covering as much of the leg as possible.