Every experienced pediatrician and neurologist will tell you that a small child needs massage. It is about the method of its conduct that will be discussed in the article. You will learn how to massage babies. Also find out which tools are best for this.
Newborn baby
When a child is born, he is not yet fully prepared for adulthood. Every second crumbs there is an increased or decreased muscle tone. All this is the result of a prolonged stay in the mother’s stomach and a feeling of weightlessness.
Many newborn babies are afraid of their body movements. They are scared when the pens appear abruptly in the face. In order to remove 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 willing people, and there is a certain queue.
Relaxing massage for babies at home
If you do not want to wait for the moment when your time for massage in a specialized institution approaches, then you can start the course yourself. In this case, you must always observe certain conditions:
- the child should not be sick (measure the temperature and carefully examine the baby);
- the baby should be fed (it is better to feed the baby twenty to forty minutes before manipulation);
- the child should be awake (if the massage is done to a tired baby, then he will not like this procedure);
- with a negative reaction of the crumbs, you need to stop the massage of the baby and try again after a few days.
Remember that all your movements must be gentle and accurate. The baby still has very fragile bones that look more like cartilage. You can quite easily damage the baby’s handle or leg. What can we say about the neck and abdomen, where there are still no strong muscles.
What to do massage?
Massage the baby at home should be done using special means. You can take any baby oil or fat cream. Your goal in this case is to make it easier to slide your fingers across the body. Also, these formulations somewhat warm the body of the child during the procedure. All this improves blood flow and relieves stress.
If the baby has an allergic reaction to the chosen remedy, then it should be replaced for a while. In this case, it is better to choose a powder without fragrances. Remember that all products must be designed specifically for the child.
What surface to do exercises on?
Massage the baby is best done on a hard surface. However, you need to create the most comfortable conditions for the baby. In specialized offices, changing tables with a soft coating are used.
If you have this device at home, it will be much easier. In case of his absence, use the most ordinary kitchen table. However, cover it with a blanket folded several times.
Where to begin?
Massage the baby (6 months or less) must begin with a 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 selected product to them and quickly rub.
Undress the baby completely. Make sure that it does not freeze. The optimal temperature in the room for massage is 23-26 degrees.
Knead the legs
Massage of the baby always begins with a warm-up of the feet. Take one leg of crumbs in your hand. Use your free fingers to walk through each finger. Make them rotational movements. After that, go down to the area of the pre-fingernail cushion and mash it.
Special attention should be paid to the foot. Massage the baby with hypertonicity (when the foot is constantly under tension) is done by drawing a figure eight or an infinity sign on the leg. Repeat this movement several times. Next, you need to slightly press on the heel and slide your finger along the foot. You will see how the little one spreads his fingers. After that, press on the pad area between the third and fourth fingers. The kid will intensively squeeze the foot. Repeat the manipulation several times.
After warming up your feet, you can switch to your hips. Remember that massage of the baby involves processing only the outer surface of the leg. On the inside of the thigh are very important arteries and veins. You can’t touch them. Gently stroke the skin of the legs. Make a few circular motions from bottom to top. After this, 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 put much pressure on the stomach and make sudden movements.
Stroke the skin by running your hand up and down. Then do circular massage movements in a clockwise direction. Always avoid the liver area. Lightly pluck the umbilical ring. Next, carry out collecting massage actions from the edges of the abdomen to its center.
Take one leg and, bending it at the knee, pull it to the navel. After that, do the same manipulation with the second leg.
Pens Warm Up
Start soft stroking movements from the shoulders to the elbows. In this case, only the outer zone of the hands should be massaged. Pay special attention to each finger and palm. Bend and straighten the handles in the joints. In doing so, always be careful. Remember that all the bones are still very fragile.
Take the baby by the wrists and bring its handles together. After that, lower them along the body. The next step will be raising your palms up above your head. Repeat these manipulations several times.
If your baby is already more than four months old and holds his head confidently, then the following actions can be included in the warm-up of this part. Put your thumbs in the baby’s palm. Wait until the baby grabs them tightly. After that, pull your hands towards yourself and allow the baby to raise himself. This exercise not only trains the muscles of the peritoneum, but also prepares the child for the first attempts to sit on their own.
Do I need to knead my neck?
Massage with crankshaft 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 zone at all. Otherwise, instead of benefit, you can do more harm to your child.
You can knead the neck only with gentle stroking movements. In this case, you can never push 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 your baby on your tummy. If the baby is already three months old, then give him the opportunity to roll on his own.
Lubricate the back area with massage agent. Gently stroke the area of the shoulder blades. At the same time, you can extend and bend the handles in the joints. The collar area can be treated with light tweezers. Remember that you cannot overdo it. From the lower back, carry out several slightly pressing movements up. In this case, you will notice how the baby is trying to stretch out.
Massage of the hip joints in infants at home is carried out exclusively when there is no pathology. Take one leg by the knee area and unfold it so that you get a frog pose. Do the same with the second limb. Kids are very flexible, a child should easily take your position.
Steps
When the massage is finished, you need to do light gymnastics. Take the baby by the armpit area and lift it up. Let his feet lightly touch the support. Give your child the opportunity to take several walking steps. At the same time, push him forward, as if the baby was walking.
Fitball lessons
At the end of the massage is a little practice on the big ball. Put the baby on the tummy and hold it with one hand on the hip. Place the other palm on the baby’s back and make swaying movements back and forth.
Turn the baby over and repeat the procedure already on the back. Closely monitor the reaction of the baby. On the first day, he may not like this idea. In this case, it is better to suspend the exercises and continue after a few days.
Swimming
If you complete the massage of the baby with water procedures, then this will be ideal. Fill the bathtub with warm water - 33-35 degrees. Put the baby in it. Remember that your hands, like the 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 backward. The bathing process should not be too long. Surely your baby is already tired after the massage. Bathe your baby for no more than five to ten minutes, then wrap in a warm towel and feed. Most likely, in the process of eating, the child will fall asleep in a sweet sleep.
Summary and short 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 is improving.
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 each baby. Classes strengthen immunity, improve mood and bring muscle tone to a normal state. Massage the baby for ten days, then take a break for about two months.