Blog posts
Bodywork: Gentle exercises, tummy time and massage for babies
Table of Contents for all blog posts
Page updated October 2026
Bodywork is fun and therapeutic
The uterus is a tight place, and birth can be a bumpy ride! Babies are often tight/asymmetric just after birth - the shape of their heads often compressed or elongated.
All babies need time, and some help, to “unwind” post-birth - a process I call “De-uterizing”
The whole body is connected - influencing feeding (breast or bottle), tummy comfort, digestion, diaper output, sleeping, sitting in a carseat and more. This is especially true when babies have oral tension/ties, torticollis, or other issues.
There are a lot of ideas on this page - it’s meant as a “library” or “menu” to draw from and not for you to do all of them! But in the end, there’s no perfect way to do this, and nothing you have to do just “right”. Sing songs, make up silly poems and enjoy playing with your baby! You will learn so much in the process and enjoy each other - that’s the most important piece of all!
My top ideas for infant movement and massage
Rhythmic Movement - an incredibly powerful and fun technique!
Tummy Time on your chest, on your lap, when carrying your baby around like an airplane (also called “tiger in a tree”). 15 seconds here, 30 seconds there - it all adds up!
The “guppy” - also called “Reverse Tummy Time”. Helps stretch out tension under the tongue and in the neck. Be gentle - only go as far as the baby likes (but some babies really love to stretch a lot!)
Snuggle skin to skin (article and video) - great for all babies and anyone who loves them!
More ideas when you have time
A variety of videos (oral and body) by me or shared by patients.
Whole Body Body Massage (10 min video), and another Whole Body Baby Massage (30 min, very thorough)
Head massage including Suture Rubbing and Cranial Sacral demo (to help re-mold the baby’s head)
Rhythmic Movement including infant reflexes, and rhythmic movement to help babies pass gas
Also - I keep a subscription to a Rhythmic Movement Course (free with a coupon code for my patients, please ask me!)
Tummy time:
For newborns start on your chest, on your lap, propped on a rolled up towel or pillow. As they grow, they can lay more horizontal on their tummy longer.
It helps to roll babies into tummy time (rather then plopping them down), they like the transition.
It can help to use a soft rug or sheepskin for more tactile sensations, or to use tummy time as an opportunity for a back massage.
Using a yoga ball
Some more videos - basic tummy time, baby with head turning preference, while tummy sleeping (while supervised, check with your doctor), while doing ”Super babies” (that’s me! Scroll to the 3rd picture).
Use toys and other activities to keep the baby going - examples include a “rain stick”, many other toys, moving toys back and forth for head turning, doing a “Magic carpet ride”(two posts for this - one and two)
“Guppy” - baby’s head over both knees, baby’s head over one leg, the guppy dance, use a toy or your hands for baby to follow from side to side (also good for eye tracking).
Babywearing is bodywork! Hold your baby and let them react to your rhythm and movement. Great YouTube channels with videos of a variety of carriers - one and two. And, in Central NJ, a babywearing group!
Some Instagram and YouTube Resources - MilkMattersPT, LittleMoversPT (she also sells a video course), Danielle Gauss IBCLC, Starfish Therapies (Insta) and also Starfish on YouTube (0-2 months, Tummy Time, Torticollis and Asymmetry, and Muscle Tone), The LA Lactation Lady
Related to all of the above are oral exericses and professional bodywork (my referral page for Central New Jersey and nearby PA)