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	body & soul bodywise

Infant Massage

Make a simple baby massage oil by adding 2 drops of lavender and 2 drops of rose oil to 1 ounce of sweet almond or grapeseed oil. If your baby has a fussy period in the day, massage her half an hour before that period; to aid her digestion, massage her a half an hour after a feeding.

Get a soft towel and sit outside or near a sunny window. Lay the towel on the ground, or over your lap. Place your naked baby on the towel. Gently, but firmly, massage his stomach in a clockwise motion with your fingertips. Do this with baby’s legs outstretched as well as with his knees bent. Then move to the baby’s shoulders, head, face, hands, and feet.

Turn your baby over and massage his back.

Wrap your baby up in a big towel when you’re done. Wipe off excess oil and dress your baby warmly.