Massage can be soothing for babies. Make sure the room is warm, your baby is quiet, well-rested and alert, and you’re relaxed. Try massage after your baby’s nap, when they’re being changed or in the cot, or after a bath. You can do massage for 10-30 minutes.

Smooth sorbolene cream or lotion into your warm hands and massage the soles of your baby’s feet. Use firm, gentle, slow strokes from heel to toe. Always keep one hand on your baby.

Do long smooth strokes up your baby’s leg. Massage from ankle up to thigh and over hip. Massage both legs at once or one at a time. Avoid the genital area. Hold your baby’s leg under the knee and gently press it towards the tummy to release wind.

Start upper body massage with your hands on your baby’s shoulders. Make gentle strokes in towards the chest.

Massage your baby’s arms by stroking from shoulders down towards wrists. Try not to get sorbolene cream or lotion on your baby’s hands. If you do, wipe your baby’s fingers clean.

If your baby’s tummy feels soft, massage it with circular, clockwise strokes. If they get unsettled, go on to the next step. Avoid the belly button area if your baby’s cord hasn’t healed. Don’t put pressure between the nipples and tummy.

Use your finger pads to massage your baby’s face. Stroke from the middle of your baby’s forehead, down the outside of their face and in towards their cheeks. Massage the scalp in small circles.

If your baby is still relaxed when you’ve finished massaging the front of their body, you can turn them onto their tummy and use long, smooth strokes from head to toe.

Use a soothing touch. If your baby seems uncomfortable on their back, try putting them on their tummy. If they’re still uncomfortable, stop the massage. Avoid massage if you’re tense or your baby is upset. Keep your fingernails short.