Once you have found a time you feel is right for the massage, ensuring that it can be special time for you and your baby when you are not rushed and stressed get the space you will be using ready too;

• Ensure the room you are using is not too cold. Keep lights low and minimise distractions.
• Clear a space, either on the floor or, if baby is not yet mobile, on a double bed.
• Lay out a towel and if possible put on some music that you find soothing or sing to your baby (try the track included below, which you can download). Try to keep to the same colour of towel and the same music each time you massage. These act as a signal to your baby that it is time for massage, and they will come to anticipate what is going to happen, and feel more secure and relaxed.

When you are ready, take a few moments to check in with your baby and look out for the cues mentioned previously to make sure he or she is happy to receive massage today.

Use the short routine shown in the video below to do this and to give your baby a few moments to settle and get ready for their massage too. By always starting your massage routine in this way your baby will relax into it much more quickly due to it's familiarity, and therefore get the most benefit from their massage.

You may also like to download the PDF below, which recaps everything in this lesson so far, including the starting the massage routine, so you can have it to hand when massaging your baby.