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How to massage a child

by Anna Eremeeva - Feb 20, 2017

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Massage is a good way to stabilize psychomotor and speech development. Maternal hands are an excellent tool for calming the baby, at the same time you will help him cope with the tone. From the article you will learn how to properly do a restorative massage for a baby.

How to massage a child correctly

When the baby is born, he cannot control his muscles. Tonus of arms and legs after 9 months of being in the stomach, the mother can persist up to 3 months. To cope with it, the neurologist prescribes a course of massage. Of course, the hands of a specialist work wonders, but mother's touch can play a big role in the development of a small miracle.

Firming massage is prescribed for:

improve digestion and helps get rid of colic;
long and restful sleep;
normalization of the nervous system;
development of coordination of movements;
removing tone;
stimulation of metabolism;
increase immunity.

The first half of the day is the best time for a massage. But keep in mind that the procedure cannot be done on a full stomach. After feeding, at least 1 hour must pass, otherwise vomiting can be caused. You can start massage after 3 weeks of age. Only after this period the baby's skin adapts to new living conditions.

The optimum temperature for massage is 23-26 ° C. Do not perform the procedure in a cool or very hot environment.

Before starting the massage, remove the rings, trim your nails and warm your hands. Then brush them with oil or baby cream. Use hypoallergenic oil to prevent breakouts on your baby's skin.

Your hand movements should be light, because the baby's skin is still very delicate.

It is better to start the massage with the legs, moving up the body. Pay more attention to your fingertips and the Achilles tendon.

Avoid massaging the lower leg, as the muscles in this area are not yet formed and you can harm your baby. It is also worth going around the chest and inner thighs.

How to massage an infant

Before starting the procedures, let's make a reservation right away - the movements should be stroking, soft. There should be no rough rubbing, no claps.

Detailed instructions for massage of an infant:

Start the massage with your feet. Massage your foot, toes, heel. Next, work your way up the leg. Avoid the joints, knees, and inner thighs.
Gradually move on to the tummy. All movements must be carried out strictly clockwise. This will relieve the crumbs of gas vehicles and make it easier to get rid of them.
The baby's chest is massaged towards the collarbone, then towards the ribs. Avoid the breast area.
Move on to the handles. Pay special attention to your fingers. Work them individually, then work on the palm. This procedure helps to relieve the tone of the hands and has a beneficial effect on the baby's nervous system.
Turn the crumb over on the tummy and massage the neck. If the child raises his head, then at this moment it is necessary to stop moving. Go to the back.
Movements should start from the lower back to the shoulders, then from the vertebrae to the ribs. It is not recommended to touch the spine itself. Massage the ass from the outer thigh to the tailbone.
The final stage is a head massage. Light stroking movements of the hairline stimulate blood circulation, so the duration of the procedure should not exceed 1 minute. We do not disregard the ears. There are many points on them that are associated with the body.

Do massage only when the child is in a good mood. If tearfulness or fidgeting of the baby is noticed, then you should not torment him. Postpone the procedure for a while.

If your baby cries every time you massage, see a neurologist. He will accurately determine why your baby does not like this activity and will give appropriate recommendations.