Every experienced pediatrician and neurologist will tell you that a small child needs a massage. It is about the method of its implementation that will be discussed in the article. You will learn how to massage babies. Also find out what tools are best for this.
Newborn baby
When a child is born, he is not yet fully prepared for adulthood. Every second crumb has an increased or decreased muscle tone. All this is the result of a long stay in the mother's stomach and a feeling of weightlessness.
Many newborn babies are afraid of the movements of their body. They are frightened at a sharp appearance in the face of pens. In order to relieve the tone and teach the baby not to be afraid of their own movements, doctors recommend doing a relaxing massage for babies. Many clinics have special rooms where they offer such services. However, be aware that there are a lot of applicants, and there is a certain queue.
Relaxing massage for babies at home
If you do not want to wait until your time for a massage in a specialized institution, you can start the course yourself. In this case, certain conditions must always be observed:
- the child should not be sick (measure the temperature and carefully examine the baby);
- the baby should be full (it is better to feed the baby twenty to forty minutes before manipulation);
- the child should be alert (if a massage is done to a tired baby, he will not like this procedure);
- if the baby has a negative reaction, stop massaging the baby and try again in a few days.
Remember that all your movements should be gentle and accurate. The baby still has very fragile bones, which are more like cartilage. It can be quite easy to damage the baby's arm or leg. What can we say about the neck and abdominal area, where there are no strong muscles yet.
How to massage?
Massage for babies at home should be done with the help of special tools. You can use any baby oil or heavy cream. Your goal in this case is to make it easier for your fingers to slide over your body. Also, these compositions somewhat warm up the body of the child during the procedure. All this improves blood flow and relieves tension.
If the baby has an allergic reaction to the selected remedy, then it should be changed for a while. In this case, it is better to choose powder without fragrances. Please remember that all items must be made specifically for your child.
Which surface to exercise on?
Baby massage is best done on a hard surface. However, you need to create the most comfortable conditions for the baby. Specialized cabinets use padded changing tables.
If you have this device at home, it will be much easier. In case of its absence, use the most ordinary kitchen table. However, cover it with a blanket folded several times.
Where to start?
Massage for babies (6 months or less) must begin with thorough cleansing and warming of the hands. Use antibacterial or baby soap. After that, hold your palms under a stream of warm water. Next, apply cream or any other product of your choice on them and rub quickly.
Undress the baby completely. Make sure it doesn't freeze. The optimal temperature in the massage room is 23-26 degrees.
Kneading the legs
Baby massage always starts with a warm-up of the feet. Take one leg of the crumbs in your hand. With your free fingers, go over each finger. Make them rotate. After that, go down to the pre-finger pad area and knead it.
Special attention should be paid to the foot. Massage for a baby with hypertonicity (when the foot is in tension all the time) is done by drawing a figure eight or an infinity sign on the leg. Repeat this movement several times. Next, you need to lightly press on the heel and run your finger along the foot. You will see how the baby spreads his fingers. After that, press on the pad area between the third and fourth fingers. The baby will squeeze the foot intensely. Repeat the manipulation several times.
After a warm-up stop, you can goon the hips. Remember that baby massage involves treating only the outer surface of the leg. There are very important arteries and veins on the inside of the thigh. They cannot be touched. Gently stroke the skin of your leg. Make a few circular movements from the bottom up. After that, massage the second leg in the same way.
Tummy massage
How to massage babies in the abdomen? Remember that this place is not yet protected by dense muscles and fat, as in adults. You can not press hard on the stomach and make sudden movements.
Stroke the skin by moving your hand up and down. After that, make circular massage movements clockwise. Always avoid the liver area. With light pinching movements, treat the umbilical ring. Next, perform a gathering massage action from the edges of the abdomen to its center.
Take one leg and, bending it at the knee, pull it up to the navel. After that, do the same manipulation with the second leg.
Warm-up handles
Start with gentle stroking movements from shoulders to elbows. In this case, only the outer zone of the hands should be massaged. Pay special attention to each finger and palm. Bend and unbend the handles at the joints. In doing so, always be careful. Remember that all bones are still very fragile.
Take the baby by the wrists and bring his arms together. After that, lower them along the torso. The next step is to raise your palms up above your head. Repeat these manipulationsseveral times.
If your baby is more than four months old and is holding his head confidently, then the following steps can be included in the warm-up for this part. Put your thumbs in the baby's palms. Wait until the baby grabs them tightly. After that, pull your arms towards you and let the baby rise on his own. Such an exercise not only trains the muscles of the peritoneum, but also prepares the child for the first attempts to sit up on his own.
Do I need to stretch my neck?
Massage for torticollis in infants is carried out in specialized clinics and offices. If you do not have experience and medical education, then it is better not to touch this area at all. Otherwise, instead of benefiting, you can cause even more harm to the child.
You can stretch the neck only with soft stroking movements. At the same time, you should never put pressure on this place and make sharp jerks.
Back massage
After you have completed work with the front of the body, you need to turn the baby over. Put the baby on the tummy. If the baby is already three months old, then let him roll on his own.
Lubricate the back area with a massage agent. Gently stroke the area of the shoulder blades. At the same time, you can stretch and bend the handles at the joints. The collar area can be processed with light tweezers. Remember not to overdo it. From the lower back, draw a few lightly pressing movements upwards. In doing so, you will notice how the baby is trying to stretch out.
Massage of the hip joints in infants inat home is carried out only when there is no pathology. Take one leg by the knee area and turn it so that you get the frog pose. Do the same with the second limb. Toddlers are very flexible, the child should easily take the position you choose.
Steps
When the massage is over, you need to do light gymnastics. Take the baby by the armpit area and lift it up. Let his feet lightly touch the support. Let your child take a few steps. At the same time, move it forward as if the baby is walking.
Fitball classes
At the end of the massage, it's worth a little practice on a big ball. Place your baby on your tummy and hold your thigh with one hand. Place the other hand on the baby's back and rock back and forth.
Turn the baby over and repeat the procedure already on the back. Pay close attention to the reaction of the baby. On the first day, he might not like the idea. In this case, it is better to suspend the exercises and continue after a few days.
Swimming
If you complete the baby massage with water treatments, it will be perfect. Fill the bath with warm water - 33-35 degrees. Put a child in it. Remember that your hands, like your baby's body, can be slippery. That is why you need to do everything very carefully.
Move the baby in the water first forward and then back. The bathing process should not take too long. Your baby is probablytired after the massage. Bathe the baby for no more than five to ten minutes, then wrap it in a warm towel and feed. Most likely, in the process of eating, the child will fall asleep sweetly.
Summing up and a small conclusion
The effect of massage can be noticeable after the first day of classes. The child becomes more calm and attentive. His hands begin to make more conscious, rather than chaotic movements. Sleep becomes strong and deep. The child's appetite improves and digestion improves.
Many children after a course of training begin to show increased activity: raise their heads, try to sit down and crawl. Remember that massage is a very important stage in the development of every baby. Classes strengthen the immune system, improve mood and bring muscle tone to normal. Massage the baby for a course of ten days, then you need a break for about two months.
