Often you will use just one finger or part of your hand, instead of your whole hand. Up strokes can be more stimulating and exhilarating. Not all infants enjoy massage. When a baby doesn't like the massage, he or she will get cranky and look away. If your baby is highly sensitive to touch and seems irritable during a massage, stop.
Any sensation can irritate such a baby.
Even a baby who enjoys being massaged may not like it every time. Babies need some quiet times, when they're not being stimulated by outside sources, says Keener. In addition, certain areas of a baby's body, such as the face and chest, are more sensitive than others and may be irritated by massage. As your baby grows, he or she might feel more comfortable having these areas massaged. If your baby holds his or her breath and gets tense the first time you try a massage, put it off for a few months until his or her nervous system can develop a little more.