There are no fixed guidelines describing the exact methods of giving massage to the babies. Massage should be given between the feeds and ideally 45 min to 1 hour after a feed to avoid regurgitation or vomiting of the feed. Massage should involve the entire body starting from head, neck, chest, belly and the limbs. Toes, fingers and head should be massaged with fingertips. Other areas can be massaged with the palms.

Tips on how to do baby massage :
Keep massage oil, tissues, clean diapers and baby clothes ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. Keep your fingernails and remove rings and bracelets from your hands to prevent trauma to the baby. Spread a changing mat on a flat surface and undress the baby and make the baby lie down on the mat. Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms. Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Each body part should be massaged and simultaneously talk or sing to the infant. Infant massages can last for 10 mins a day initially and gradually increased to 30 mins a day when they reach 1 year of age.

In Prematures
The method described by Field et al is scientifically proven to improve weight in premature babies. In this method, massage is given in 15 minute sessions starting with 5 minutes of massage followed by 5 minutes of passive movements of the limbs and then again 5 min of massage.

Massage in preterms as per Field et al
The newborn is placed on its tummy and stroked with moderate pressure for five minutes as follows:

1. From the top of the head to the neck and back to the top of the head, and back to the neck;
   
   
2. From the neck across the shoulders;
   
   
3. From the upper back to the waist and back to the upper back;
   
   
4. From the thigh to the foot to the thigh on both legs; and
   
   
5. From the shoulder to the hand to the shoulder on both arms.
   
   

The newborn is then placed on its back and each arm, then each leg, and finally both legs together are flexed and extended (as in a bicycling motion). This passive movement of the limbs is done for 5 minutes. This is again followed by 5 minute massage as depicted above.