Massage+ 30, 10, 5

Mom in NICU

Massage+ 30, 10, 5: A Simple Baby Massage for Development

Massage+ 30, 10, 5 is a quick and effective baby massage method designed to support both premature and full-term infants. This 15-minute routine involves talking, massaging, and rocking to help babies grow, bond with caregivers, and develop essential sensory and feeding skills.

Backed by 40+ years of research, this technique—also known as ATVV (Audio, Tactile, Visual, Vestibular) intervention—was developed by Rosemary White-Traut, PhD, RN, FAAN and has been shown to provide lifelong benefits for babies.

Why Massage+ 30, 10, 5?

This proven baby massage method offers many benefits, including:

  • Improved Sleep & Feeding Habits: Helps babies self-regulate, eat more efficiently, and rest better.

  • Enhanced Sensory & Motor Development: Stimulates hearing, touch, sight, and movement to strengthen early skills.

  • Stronger Parent-Baby Bonding: Boosts communication, confidence, and emotional connection between caregivers and Baby.

Originally designed for premature infants, Massage+ 30, 10, 5 has been proven beneficial for all babies from birth to 12 months.

How does it work?

The name Massage+ 30, 10, 5 comes from the simple structure of the routine:

  • 30 seconds of talking: Engage Baby with a soothing voice and eye contact.

  • 10 minutes of massage: Gently massage Baby's head, arms, legs, belly, and back.

  • 5 minutes of rocking: Provide gentle motion to help Baby relax.

Massage+ 30, 10, 5 is designed to be easy to learn and can be done at home or in the NICU.

Want to learn more?

Explore the resources below for step-by-step guides, video demonstrations, and best practices for doing Massage+ 30, 10, 5 with Baby. See our Massage+ 30, 10, 5 course for parents and caregivers to learn how to recognize Baby's cues, create a soothing environment, and maximize the benefits of this research-backed method.

Steps of Massage+ 30, 10, 5

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