Postnatal Massage : A Practical Guide for New Mums
Updated: Aug 21
Having a baby changes a lot of things very quickly — including how your body feels.
Hours spent feeding, carrying, rocking and settling a baby can mean a lot more time sitting, bending and holding your body in positions you're not used to.
Add broken sleep and very little time to yourself, and it's hardly surprising that many new mums tell us their neck, shoulders and back feel tight and tired.
Postnatal massage doesn't need to promise miraculous recovery or “getting your body back”. Sometimes its value is much simpler: an hour to stop, get comfortable and have somebody look after you for a change.
1. Massage Can Give You Some Proper Time Out
Having a newborn doesn't leave much uninterrupted time for yourself.
A massage provides a defined period where you don't need to clean something, organise something, answer something or be somewhere.
For some new mums, that alone is reason enough to book one.
Massage is commonly used for relaxation, and research has examined its effects on stress, anxiety and wellbeing. But you don't need to turn relaxation into a medical claim to appreciate the simple pleasure of lying down for an hour while somebody else takes care of you.
And when your massage comes to your home, you don't have to add travel and getting the baby organised to the experience.
2. That New-Mum Neck and Shoulder Tightness Is Very Real
This is probably one of the things we hear most often from new mums.
Feeding can involve sitting in essentially the same position for quite a while — often while looking down. Then there's picking baby up, putting baby down, carrying baby on one side and leaning over cots, bassinets and change tables.
Your upper back, shoulders and neck can end up doing a lot of work.
Massage can be concentrated through these areas, with the pressure adjusted to what you enjoy.
Some mums prefer a firmer remedial or deep tissue massage through the back, neck and shoulders followed by gentler relaxation massage elsewhere.
Others don't want anything particularly firm. They just want to relax.
Neither is more correct. A good postnatal massage should be tailored to the person on the table.
3. Your Lower Back May Appreciate Some Attention Too
Pregnancy changes the physical demands placed on your body, but those demands don't suddenly disappear once your baby arrives.
Now you're repeatedly lifting and carrying a growing little person, often while also carrying capsules, prams, bags and everything else that seems to accompany a newborn.
If your lower back feels tight or tired, tell your massage therapist before your treatment.
Your therapist can spend more time on the areas you want worked on rather than following a predetermined full-body routine.
4. Massage Can Be Adapted to Your Postnatal Body
One thing that's important to understand about postnatal massage is that there isn't one standard treatment for every new mum.
Someone six months after an uncomplicated birth may have very different needs from someone who has recently given birth or is recovering from a caesarean.
Positioning, pressure and the areas being massaged can all be adjusted.
If you've recently given birth, had a caesarean, experienced complications or have concerns about your recovery, tell your therapist when booking. If you're uncertain whether massage is appropriate for you, check with your healthcare professional first.
5. You Don't Have to Leave Your Baby to Have a Massage
This is one of the biggest advantages of an in-home postnatal massage.
Your baby can be there.
There's no need to arrange childcare simply because you want a massage.
And babies aren't particularly interested in appointment schedules. If your baby suddenly needs feeding or settling, tell your therapist.
We understand.
That can make an at-home massage feel much more achievable during those early months than booking a treatment somewhere you have to travel to.
6. What About Sleep?
A massage can't make your baby sleep through the night — unfortunately we haven't figured that one out.
What it can provide is an opportunity to slow down and relax.
If you're exhausted, you may even fall asleep on the massage table. You certainly won't be the first Ripple client to do that.
7. What About Postnatal Depression?
Massage can be a pleasant and supportive part of looking after yourself, and research has explored massage and psychological wellbeing around pregnancy and the postnatal period.
However, massage is not a treatment or replacement for professional care for postnatal depression or anxiety.
If you're experiencing persistent low mood, anxiety, difficulty coping or other changes in your mental health after having a baby, speak with your GP, midwife or another appropriate healthcare professional.
You can absolutely still enjoy massage if it's appropriate for you — just don't rely on massage in place of the care you need.
8. Can Massage Help With Breastfeeding?
If you're experiencing problems with milk supply, latching, engorgement, breast pain or suspected mastitis, a lactation consultant, midwife or doctor is a much better person to speak to.
Where massage can be particularly relevant is the physical position you're spending so much time in while feeding.
If feeding is leaving your neck, shoulders or upper back feeling tight, those are areas your massage therapist can concentrate on.
When Can You Have a Postnatal Massage?
There isn't a universal number of days or weeks that applies to everybody.
It depends on factors including how recently you gave birth, how you're recovering, whether you've had surgery such as a caesarean and whether there were complications.
Tell your massage therapist that you've recently given birth when making your booking.
If you have any uncertainty about whether massage is appropriate during your recovery, particularly following surgery or complications, check with your healthcare professional first.
What Type of Postnatal Massage Should You Choose?
You don't necessarily have to choose just one.
Depending on your circumstances and preferences, your treatment might include:
Relaxation massage if you simply want to switch off
Remedial massage for more targeted areas
Deep tissue massage if you enjoy firmer pressure
Full body massage tailored around your preferences
Neck and shoulder massage if feeding and carrying are taking their toll
Reflexology or foot massage as part of your treatment
The most important thing is to tell your therapist how you're feeling and what you'd like from your massage.
Postnatal Massage That Comes to You
For a new mum, getting out of the house can sometimes feel like an expedition.
That's why having the massage come to you makes so much sense.
Our therapists bring the massage table, towels, oils and treatment equipment required for your booking.
Looking for Postnatal Massage Near Me?
A Postnatal Massage Makes a Lovely Gift Too
New babies receive a lot of presents. Sometimes it's nice to give something specifically to mum.
A Ripple Massage gift voucher can be used towards eligible massage and day spa treatments, allowing her to choose when she's ready to book.
It's a thoughtful option for a baby shower, new baby gift or Mother's Day, particularly for someone who already has enough tiny clothes and blankets.
Buy a Ripple Massage Gift Voucher
About the Author
Ali Saoirse is the founder of Ripple Massage and a Diploma-qualified remedial massage therapist with more than 20 years' experience in the massage and day spa industry.
Ali has training in pregnancy and postnatal massage and has been providing massage treatments throughout South East Queensland since 2005.
