Tissy Guillou is a qualified massage therapist and instructor with the IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage) and a professional Labour Assistant (Doula). She likes to keep her baby massage classes small and personal, so that they are relaxed, practical and informative.
Baby massage is an ancient art and can be relaxing for both baby and mother, enhancing development, boost immunity and improving sleep patterns. It is also proven to relieve the pain of colic and constipation, as well as strengthening the bonding between parent and child.
Tissy is also trained in Pregnancy and Postnatal massage, and teaches Gentlebirth techniques in the Galway area, a birth preparation programme using hypnosis for childbirth.
For more information on Tissy's classes and other services visit http://www.nurturingtouch.ie/
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Questions & answers
Q: My four month old baby has suffered from what I believe is colic, on and off since birth. Someone recommended that I try baby massage. How exactly does it help a baby? Nobody seems to be able to give a satisfactory answer to what colic really is, and every case seems to have it's individual cause.
A: That’s right, colic is a generic term that is given quite easily when babies cry from the age of two weeks to about eight weeks! It seems to be related to their digestive system, babies look to be in pain and nothing seems to make them feel better. They usually cry for at least two hours, usually in the evening, which can be very stressful and disheartening for new tired parents. We don’t know the origins of colic, but baby massage definitely works.
With baby massage uses the “Colic Routine”, which is a massage of the tummy that has to be done to baby two to three times a day for two weeks. It’s natural, very pleasant and it works!
It’s also very important to remain calm when your baby cries, take a few deep breathes, talk to your baby and carry your baby, as they sometimes just need a hug.
Q: My wife suffered from post-natal depression during her first pregnancy, although wasn't that bad, she is very afraid of having to go through it again. I read that baby massage could be helpful, but before committing to a course we would like to know if baby massage is a cure or a help?
A: Baby Massage is not a cure for PND but it helps a lot. The reason being that giving a massage is as relaxing for the giver than for the receiver. One of the consequences of PND is the difficulty to bond with baby. You connect with your baby and get to know each other, just by watching your baby respond to massage with smiles. Your body will produce those beautiful love hormones, such as Oxytocin. It is such a lovely feeling.
I recommend to join a class as you also get support from the other mums, make friends which is great for social interactions. Post Natal Massage is another natural way of helping getting out of PND.
Q: What oils would you recommend for a six month old baby? Could you give advice on a specific brand, or an oil that I could blend myself? What calming essences should I choose?
A: To massage your baby, I only recommend good quality vegetable oil, such as Organic Cold Pressed Sunflower or Grapeseed Oil, which you can get in a health food shop. Don’t use essential oils unless recommended by an aromatherapist.
I use the brand Meridian simply because that’s the only one I have found so far. It’s not very expensive (about €4-5 for a bottle). The oil is edible and if your baby licks his/hers hands, it’s recognisable and digestible by the digestive system.
The smell is very delicate, which doesn’t interfere with the bonding process. The baby can recognise your smell and not the oil. There will very rarely be an allergic reaction to vegetable oil, unlike nut based oils such as Sweet Almond Oil. The vegetable oil is also full of vitamins, such as Vitamin A, B and E, which will nourish and moisturise the skin, try on yourself!
You don’t need to blend anything, just keep it simple for yourself. Pour some in a small bottle and keep the rest in the fridge. Good quality oils go rancid quicker, so don’t hesitate to use it for your cooking as well.
Olive Oil is fine too, but a bit thicker and with a stronger smell. With my toddlers, I use vegetable Coconut Oil, they love it and it smells yummy!
Q: My hands are always very cold and a bit stiff. Should I even bother massaging my baby or will it only upset her?
A: Off course you should massage her! Baby massage is a whole experience, it’s that special time that you spend nurturing and playing with your baby, singing and gazing at each other. It is not about being a massage expert, it’s about the quality of time, having fun and getting to know each other. For your hands, try to stretch them out first, then put them under warm water, and rub them together briskly with the oil, you can also gently warm up the oil beforehand (leaving the bottle on the radiator for example). Don’t worry if she is upset the first time, leave it and try again later or another day. Remember, always ask talk to your baby, ask permission and say thank you!
Q: I give my son a small massage every evening before getting him ready for bed, he is 6 weeks. I would like to know how long I should massage him for. I usually do between 5-10 minutes, but have heard that a massage that is too long or too short could overstimulate a baby. What would be the best length of a massage?
A: There is no time limit, as long as he’s happy. A full body massage lasts about 20-25 minutes and that is loads for a baby. But even five minutes is great, it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. With regards to over stimulating, as a guideline, strokes going away from the heart are relaxing and towards the heart are more stimulating. 5-10 minutes massage before going to bed is brilliant! The older he gets, and the longer you will be able to massage him before he looses patient. Remember, baby massage is baby-led, so let your baby tell you when he has had enough.
Q: My three month old daughter doesn't seem to like getting a massage? Could I be doing it too hard? What should I do to make it an enjoyable experience for us both?
A: Keep an eye on the state she’s in: Is she asleep or awake? Is she drowsy (waking up/ going to sleep), actively awake (moving a lot) or quietly awake? The best time to massage your baby is in “quiet alert”, when your baby is awake and calm, not hungry, not tired, not asleep. Baby Massage is baby led, so you need to respect the state she is in, then you have to ask permission.
If she doesn’t want a massage, she will let you know (cry, push you...), so you should respect her decision. If you do it when she’s in quiet alert, and then ask permission and she seems happy, then go ahead with it.
Start with the legs and feet, smile at her, sing, talk, make eyes connection, enjoy it! When she has enough, becomes restless, then stop and thank her, hug her. Try again the following day. Even if you get five minutes done, it’s great. With regards to pressure, we usually tend to do it too light. As a guideline, the pressure is as much as your eye can handle.
Do you have any great tips to share?