When your baby was in your womb, he was in constant contact with his surroundings. It was almost like getting an all-over massage at all times. Any time he moved, he got rubbed.

Now that he's out in the great big world, he probably misses that sense of being touched all over. Most people of any age enjoy gentle, loving touch. Why wouldn't your baby enjoy it just as much? Your touch on his skin communicates love and also gives him the light rubbing that he had become used to receiving in your womb. Massage serves at least three purposes:

• It communicates love and caring.

• It soothes and gentles him, helping him relax so he can sleep.

• It's an old remedy for colic.

When massaging your baby, remember that he's small and delicate; you can't use the same type of touch you use on your spouse or friends or even on a child of five or 10. Use oil (it can be baby oil, or something like almond oil, or even olive oil), which you may warm lightly (take care with the temperature) if you wish. Rub it into your hands before you massage Baby.

Cover your baby with a towel (except for his face, of course), exposing each part of his body as you massage it and then covering it up again. You might want to start with his feet, one at a time, working your way up to his legs and then massage his arms, the back of his neck, his back, and finally his tummy. When massaging his tummy, use clockwise, circular strokes. (Don't be surprised if this maneuver impels him to pass gas or even poop.)

If he begins to protest, to squirm, to grow restless, or to cry, either you're stroking him too hard, you've pinched him, or you've stayed too long in one spot. Try massaging a different part of him.

Not only massage but other types of touch also feel good to your baby. A light, tickly sort of touch is one that many babies enjoy, and so is a featherlight stroke, which is similar.