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In the first year of life, the baby undergoes tremendous development. Parents have many questions about the means and methods of education. One of them is massage.

Is it necessary to massage a baby?

There are adults who doubt whether they should massage their infants. The doctor will explain the benefits of the procedure:

activation of the immune system;
formation of motor skills;
stabilization of psychological state;
improvement of muscle function.

At certain diseases Massage for a child is mandatory; in such cases, massage manipulations are performed only by a professional. For the purpose of comprehensive development, the baby needs to have a massage every day. If there is no pathology, you can massage at home.

At what age can a baby be massaged? Opinions differ as to how many months a baby should be massaged. Some believe that with early age massage is harmful due to poor development motor functions. Others, on the contrary, consider it effective to start massage almost in the maternity hospital.

Massage in the clinic is prescribed from 2 months, at home it is allowed to do procedures from half a month after the navel wound has healed.

Massage by month

Massage for infants up to one month old. It is necessary to monitor the baby's reaction. The warmth of hands and kind words accompany the massage.

Perform a massage infant up to 1 month should be very careful. You need to start from the head and finish with the lower limbs.

The following exercises are practiced for up to 4 weeks:

the child is stroked and “stretched”;
gently rub the skin;
arms crossed on chest;
legs spread;
turn on side, tummy.

Massage for infants from 1 month. Every mother can independently perform massage for infants from 1 month onwards. Massaging is complemented by vibrating and kneading techniques.

Massaged:

hands;
legs;
back;
buttocks;
feet and fingers.

The beginning and end of the session is done with stroking manipulations. In case of protest to any exercise, the impact is stopped and the next one is done. Return to a technique you don’t like later and reduce the time it takes. It is advisable to perform a soothing massage before water procedures.

Massage for infants 2 months. At 2 months, the baby does not hold his head for long. Neck massage is added to the massage for 2-month-old infants to strengthen the cervical vertebrae.

Massage for a two-month old baby:

You need to start from the legs (the ligaments and muscle tissue, blood flow improves). Procedure:
- Gently stroke from the hips down.
- Massage your feet with your fingers.
- Rub your feet.
After the legs, continue to massage the arms: spread them to the sides, vibrate them a little, massage the palms.
Back. In a position on its side, the child bends and arches the spine: the adult moves his hand along the spine, the baby’s feet are adjacent to the palm of the other hand. Next is a light massage of the back.
The tummy is massaged to prevent navel hernia and relieve colic. Circular movements are made in the direction of the clock.
Breasts are being stroked.
Rocking in the fetal position. The baby needs to be helped to accept the position of being in the mother's womb. Take the baby in your arms and rock him from side to side and in a circle.

At the end of the session, the baby needs rest.

Massage for infants 3 months. Does a three month old baby need a massage? If the child has not been massaged, then it is advisable to begin the course.

At this age, the baby moves more. Massage for infant 3 months is aimed at eliminating muscle tension, learning the skill of turning over onto your tummy. The load is initially simple. The actions are gradually becoming more complicated.

Massage for infants from 3 months of age consists of stroking, shaking, vibration, rubbing (massage without pressure).

Flexing and straightening the limbs is helpful.
Stroke and massage the feet from all sides.
Rub and stroke your arms from palms to shoulders.
The tummy area is stroked and massaged with circular rubbing movements from the navel to the hips.
The back and buttocks are ironed from the upper back - outer side palms of both hands, to the bottom - inner side palms.
The breasts are stroked using circular and simple vibrating actions.

It is useful to perform massage on infants 3-6 months old in combination with elements of gymnastics.

Massage for infants 4 months. Massage for a 4-month-old baby can be performed independently, reducing passive manipulations and adding energetic ones. To form the baby’s muscles it is allowed:

pluck;
twist;
lie down: change the position “lying” - “sitting” and vice versa.

Actions are performed counting to maintain rhythm. When massaging your legs, you should include flexion and alignment. To develop motor skills, the child is allowed to grasp small objects.

Massage for 4-5 month old infants together with elements of gymnastics helps consolidate physical skills and activates subsequent development.

Massage for infants 5 months. Massage for infants 5-6 months is almost the same as the previous month. Massage of the facial area and techniques for developing fine motor skills are complemented.

Stimulation of the massaged areas is enhanced - this helps the correct formation of phasomotor functions, the condition of muscle tissue is stabilized and general improvement occurs. The child is turned over, the position of the body is changed with support from the arms.

Baby massage for sitting skills consists of developing the muscles of the back, buttocks, tummy and learning to sit down with emphasis on your hand. In order for the child to sit down in due time, an exercise will help: from a position lying on his back, the baby stretches his arms up, holding on to his mother’s hands or the crossbar, until he sits down.

Massage for infants from 6 months. Massage for infants is reduced in six months, and the variety physical activities increases

lifting the body;
in a sitting position, the arms bend and align;
the baby may crawl towards toys.

Massage of the arms and legs is not necessary, you need to focus on the back, chest and tummy.

Finger massage for babies from 6 months independently performed in various places. The massage takes place in game form combined with nursery rhymes and poems. The finger massage technique has positive impact on intelligence, fine motor skills, speech apparatus.

Massage for infants aged 4-6 months is based on the development of the ability to crawl, the ability to understand speech, rhythm and coordination of actions.

Massage for babies 7, 8, 9 months old. The exercises are done vigorously. Most massage techniques are allowed.

The crossing of the arms is leisurely and fast.
Flexion and alignment of the legs.
Turning over onto your tummy. The baby will be able to do this exercise himself; he should be pushed a little.
Various actions with the back and buttocks.
Training in crawling skills with straight arms on the knees: formation of the muscles of the back, limbs and shoulders. Massage for 8-month-old infants involves doing the exercise on your own. At a younger age, support is required.
Abdominal massage.
The abdominal muscles are trained by squats: from a lying position, pull up the baby for 7 months by both arms, from 8 months - by one arm.
Stroking the feet.
Raising and lowering straight legs.
Breast massage.

Treatises have been written about the benefits of massage. And massage for newborns is a must! After nine months of embryonic, almost motionless existence, it is still difficult for the baby to adapt to our world. Therefore, mother’s affectionate hands, stroking and patting the baby, help him overcome the stressful state during adaptation. Tactile sensations bring joy and play important role in communication between infants and their parents.

Benefits of massage

Massage for a newborn involves special techniques to influence internal organs. Massage techniques known to healers since time immemorial. Through stroking, pressing, rubbing, pinching, and vibration, a professional massage therapist affects deep tissues throughout the body. Acting on receptors of the skin, muscles, and reflex points, the specialist transmits irritation to the central nervous system. As a result, tone increases or relaxes, and the functioning of body systems improves. That is, through touching the skin, massage affects the entire body.

This is especially beneficial for infants, because it activates the physical, sensory, auditory, speech development. Coordination of movements and the inclinations of attention are stimulated, sleep is normalized and blood circulation improves.

The baby has up to one month old sensitive analyzers have not yet fully matured, but the skin analyzer has already appeared. Therefore, mother’s touch generates movements and joyful emotions.

Who can

Before talking about who can have a massage, it should be noted that there are preventive, therapeutic and therapeutic-prophylactic massages.

Mom can learn to do preventive massage herself. The visiting nurse will show you the basics during the first visit to the baby.

Prophylactic is prescribed to all infants who have no contraindications to it. This massage is often done by parents themselves at home. So, if your child is healthy and cheerful, then in the first year of life the observing doctor will definitely prescribe a daily massage.

Therapeutic and therapeutic-prophylactic treatments are performed on the child by a professional massage therapist as prescribed by the doctor. These massages are aimed at relieving specific health problems.

When to perform the procedure

It is very important to consider when to massage. Procedures should be carried out in the first half of the day - from 8 to 15.00. It is advisable an hour after feeding so that the baby digests what he has eaten. It is not recommended to massage on an empty stomach, as the baby will be capricious. Procedures are carried out only if the baby is in a good mood. If he is dissatisfied, whims, or cries, the massage is canceled.

Contraindications

In some cases, massage is contraindicated for children. For example, in the following conditions:

high temperature;
gastrointestinal disorders;
acute respiratory diseases and infections;
skin inflammations;
rickets;
hernias (umbilical, inguinal);
congenital defect hearts.

Before you start

Before starting the session, ventilate and warm the room to a comfortable level. warm temperature, because the baby will be naked.
Prepare a flat horizontal surface, cover it with a diaper or blanket.
If one of the parents is going to do a massage at home, then you should remove all jewelry from your hands, wash them thoroughly, trim and file your nails.

Make sure you do everything possible to avoid injuring your baby during the procedures.

How many times should I do it?

For babies up to one year old, massage is done 4 times - every 3rd month. This is explained simply: during the designated periods of a child’s life, a qualitative leap in his development occurs. Massage helps to consolidate new skills and abilities.

How to massage a newborn

Up to three months

Until the baby is 1 month old, massage is not recommended.

At 1.5-2 months the easiest and gentlest procedure is done. You need to start a massage for a newborn by stroking the arms, fingers, legs, back, and tummy. The movements are light, soft, without the use of force or pressure.

Up to 3 months, the simplest and most gentle massage is done: the baby’s feet, tummy and back are massaged

Slowly, with a speed of lymph movement of 2 cm/sec. follow the massage lines from the tips of your toes to your head.

Palms, feet and fingers are stroked and gently kneaded, thereby stimulating reflexes and calming the child.
Stroking the tummy clockwise helps digestion.
The back is massaged at a distance of 1 cm from the spine.

Avoid the area of the heart, liver, lymph nodes in the armpits and under the knees.

It is advisable to carry out massage procedures in set time for five minutes. During the session, talk quietly to the baby, hum songs, read simple rhymes. At the end of each procedure, gently praise the baby.

After 3-4 months

Massage for a newborn baby of 3 months of age can be complicated. Rubbing and kneading movements are added, and light pats cause babies to hum joyfully. Now the session duration increases by several minutes. If the baby loves these procedures, then over time they can be increased to half an hour.

For babies 3-4 months old, the massage becomes more complicated: now the arms, legs, neck, tummy, back, chest, ears, etc. are massaged. Gymnastics and various exercises are also added

Hands and feet

The massage begins with the arms and legs. First, all the fingers on the hands are massaged, the fists are unclenched and clenched, and the wrists are gently rubbed. The armpits are not involved.

Let's move on to the legs: massage the feet, fingers, and go up to the groin. Do not put pressure on your knees, otherwise you may damage your joints. It is not recommended to massage the area under the knees and inner surface hips

Tummy

We massage the child's tummy by stroking it clockwise. From midline tummy, we smooth the body with sliding movements of the hands (one up, the other down), without reaching groin area.

Rib cage

The chest at 3-4 months is still very fragile, so we massage the baby by gently stroking with our hands from the sternum to the shoulders, then to the sides, without touching mammary glands.

Neck

The neck of a baby up to a year is massaged when he lies on his tummy. Lightly stroke from the upper vertebra to the shoulders, from the back of the head to the back. If at this time the baby raises or turns his head, stop the massage.

Back

Massage your child’s back not along the spine, but along it with the backs of your hands. Directions – along and to the sides. Then the butt is stroked from the hips to the tailbone.

Another exercise: when the baby is lying on each side, run your finger along the spine from the pelvis to the neck. Not along the spine, but along it, pressing lightly with your finger. This causes back extension and training of the back muscles.

Head

Head infant massaged very carefully, carefully, without touching the fontanel. Along with the head, lightly run your fingers over the ears.

Pull-ups

When the baby learns to hold its head, hone your grasping skills. From a lying position, have him grab your index fingers and stretch them to sit up.

Baby steps

Lift the child by the armpits, tilt him slightly forward so that his legs rest against a horizontal surface. Look how little man begins to tread his feet and take small steps.

Head down

When your baby is lying on his tummy, gently lift him upside down by his hips. This causes a rush of blood to the head. If the child is uncomfortable, do not repeat the exercise.

Gymnastics

Massage for newborns in the third month is enhanced by chest gymnastics, which helps strengthen the muscle corset.

Exercises while lying on your back:

cross your arms and spread them apart;
box with handles;
pull them up and down;
knees together and apart,
roll from side to side.

A 3-month-old baby should be placed on his tummy. This stimulates digestion, removes gases faster, which prevents colic.

Tummy turn

After abdominal massage and chest We teach the baby to turn from his back to his tummy.

Draw your baby's attention to a bright toy and place it on his side, repeating the exercises on both sides. Let the baby reach for the toy.

6-9 month

General massage after the sixth month changes and becomes more complicated due to the fact that the baby has grown up and already knows a lot. Now he is learning to crawl and coordinate his movements. The session time is extended.

The massage is done using old techniques, but new ones are added. The procedure begins with a massage of the arms, legs, and feet. Next comes active exercises.

We're crawling

When your 6th month baby is lying on his tummy, place his favorite toy in front of him. Then, gradually moving him away and encouraging him, invite him to take the toy. If the surface is hard enough, the little one will stretch and crawl after the toy.

It's time to learn to crawl (at the same time this is useful exercise for muscles). A toy will help you with this. Place it in front of the baby at some distance, and the baby will try to reach it. IN certain moment he will definitely crawl

Let's get on our feet

The exercise is called “walking with the baby.” The point of the exercise is to teach the child to maintain balance. First we hold the baby by two hands, then by one. Hands should be at shoulder level or below.

In order for the baby to learn to walk faster, parents need to lead him first by two hands, and then by one

9th – 12th month

Starting from the ninth month, gymnastics becomes more difficult. Now permitted are exercises such as raising legs from a lying position, squats, bending forward from a standing position, and even bending over and turning to reach a bright toy.

Ball

When working out at home, it is very good to use a massage ball. When asked about what age it is best for babies to use a ball, we answer: “From the 2nd month.”

While your baby is small, simply bounce him on the ball on his tummy.
Ride your three-month-old on his side and back.
Six month old baby put on the ball, put on the legs.
And at 9-10 months the child can take steps, holding the ball with his hands.

The ball can also be used for massage. To do this, the baby is placed on top of the ball on his tummy and rocked

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, a massage for a baby will be performed effectively and correctly by a professional massage therapist, but if the mother masters a simple technique on how to massage a newborn and works with the baby herself, then this will bring more joy and the pleasure of communicating with each other.

The first days after the birth of a child are the most exciting and touching for parents. This is the baby's introduction to the world around him. It is important at this time not to miss aspects of caring for it, which in the future can affect the formation of the body and health. Of course, in general, parents meet their newborn already prepared: they attend special courses, read books, and communicate with doctors.

One of important points Immediately after the baby is born, a newborn massage is performed.

It is believed that children who undergo this procedure develop better. It’s good if the session is also accompanied by a conversation - this contributes to faster speech development.

When do newborns begin to massage themselves?

Pediatricians and psychologists have come to the conclusion that a mother can begin to give her child the most basic massage on her own from the first days of life. The fact is that tactile touches with mother are very important for the baby. But remember that at the age of up to 1 month, its duration should not exceed 10 minutes. After this, the rate increases to 15-20 minutes. First, lubricate the body with a special cream, then warm it up required area light strokes. Always start from the heels, gradually moving up to the head. Just don't do this procedure immediately after eating. The movements involve gentle shifting of muscles.

When do massages begin for newborns: contraindications

As mentioned above, the session should be no earlier than 30 minutes after feeding, or before it. This procedure is prohibited within 72 hours after vaccination, if the umbilical cord is not completely overgrown, as well as if you are taking medications or have any diseases. It is better to choose a time when you and the child are in a good mood, since massage is also an exchange of energies, let them only be positive.

Newborn: at what age should you massage?

First of all, ask your pediatrician: when should a newborn have a massage? He must ensure that there are no contraindications.

On the question of at what age a baby can be massaged, there is no clear opinion: some recommend starting almost from the very first days, others believe that it should not be done before two weeks of age. In any case, if you decide to carry out procedures, then in the first days it should be light stroking.

How to massage newborns

If the question of when newborns begin to receive massage is more or less clear, the technique itself still remains a mystery to us. We suggest you figure it out.

Gently knead your toes, starting from the foot, gradually moving to the groin. After this, we knead the arms, starting from the hand, moving to the chest. Next we move on to the tummy. If done carefully, this will avoid colic. The last stage is the back, and then the head. Don't forget to pay attention to the ears.

How to do a neck massage

It is necessary to carry out gentle stroking, starting from the ears towards the shoulders. Move further from the shoulders to the fingers.

When can you turn a newborn onto his tummy?

This is another point, in addition to the question of when to massage newborns, that concerns young mothers.

You can start after the umbilical cord has healed. Try placing it on your stomach first. The first times should not exceed 5 minutes; over time, you can increase the intervals. Just don't do it immediately after eating.

So, now you know when to give the first massage to a newborn, and have a little understanding of its technique.

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Home massage for newborns: conditions, technique

Home / Newborn / Home massage for newborns: benefits, rules and technique

Home massage for newborn babies and their parents is an important way of communication, but it has many other benefits. Just 5-10 minutes of daily exercise stimulate digestion, improve immunity, calm the nervous system for deep good sleep. Pediatricians note that babies who are regularly massaged gain weight faster and are more energetic and sociable.

In order to avoid overstimulation, understanding the correct movements, ideal timing and duration of massage is important. Like any other form of therapy, it requires specific methods and careful approach.

When should you start massaging your newborn?

Long before a child begins to speak, he communicates with the world through tactile sensations. A mother instinctively touches her newborn to comfort him. Massage is an extension of this natural impulse.

Russian pediatricians recommend doing massage to newborns at home starting from 2-3 weeks of life, however, among foreign doctors there is a widespread opinion that the procedure is necessary from the moment of birth. The exception is premature babies: they are unstable with medical point vision, and massage may become overly stimulating for them. It is also not recommended for fever, skin lesions (pyoderma and atopic dermatitis), blood clotting disorders.

Benefits of the procedure

Massage has many physical and psychological benefits for children and their parents:

It supports a healthy immune system and the full development of the child by promoting the circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body. This stimulation makes it possible to effectively deliver nutrients to tissues and organs, and then remove metabolic products.
Massage activates the production of certain hormones that are responsible for a good mood and relieve pain. In particular, these are endorphins and oxytocin, which help minimize suffering due to colic or other problems.
It helps to find a balance between increased and decreased muscle tone. A full body massage stimulates the muscles, but at the same time relaxes them if they are overly tense.
Supports the child's ability to realize his or her individual developmental potential, aiding maturation nervous system and stimulating brain-body connections.
Increases child's awareness of possibilities own body, size and location of its parts.
Massage - great way communication. It makes the child aware that he is loved and cherished. Purposeful, continuous exchanges of touch and eye contact promote mutual understanding and trust.
For parents this effective way take a “time out” and escape from everyday stress.

Although massage is beneficial for all infants, it is very valuable for children with special needs– with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, as it provides unique way communication and stimulation of development.

Conditions for massage

When preparing and conducting a massage procedure for a newborn baby at home, it is advisable to adhere to some recommendations regarding time, space and movement technique.

Time

Before performing a massage, choose a time that is comfortable for all participants in the process. You should not rush anywhere; calmness and leisure will help make your movements as soft and measured as possible. Do not start massage when the child has just eaten or is hungry, wants to sleep or is cranky. The most the right time– one and a half hours after feeding in the morning.

You can often find recommendations for 10-15 minutes of massage per day. In fact, the main indicator of the procedure time is the child himself. As soon as he shows dissatisfaction, stop, no matter how long the massage continues.

For babies under 5 months, try to leave a few hours between massage and bath. This can lead to overstimulation of the nervous system. Never massage your baby when he is crying, the only exception being movements to relieve colic, constipation and gas.

Place

Find a place and position that is comfortable for you and your baby. The basic requirements are the ability to maintain eye contact, a comfortable temperature (standard recommendation is about 24°C) and a ventilated room. Many people prefer to place the baby on a changing table, but massage can be done while sitting on the floor, bed or sofa, holding the baby on your lap, but not forgetting about his safety. In this case, it is worth protecting your clothes with a diaper, especially if you are using oil.

Massage oil

Oil is not necessary for massage, but its use makes the effect on delicate skin softer and helps moisturize it. There are many wonderful baby oils on the market, but vegetable oil(mostly cold pressed) is quite enough. You can use lavender, chamomile, rose or cedar oil, supplementing them with vitamins A and E, solutions of which are sold in pharmacies. Before first use, it is worth doing a sensitivity test so that your child’s skin does not suffer from unexpected allergies.

As for ready-made oils, carefully study the composition. The product must be hypoallergenic and contain a minimum chemical additives.

Types of massage for newborns

At home, a newborn is usually given a restorative (also known as preventive) massage - it is useful for general development in the absence of special problems with health and development.

There are also special therapeutic massage– it is aimed at problem areas, and therapeutic and preventive, which covers the whole body with special attention to disorders. These procedures are prescribed by a doctor (neurologist, pediatrician, orthopedist) according to indications and performed by a specialist, however, you can also perform them yourself, but only after training.

Basic massage techniques

When performing a massage, remember the following: general principles:

Always start by massaging your feet - this is the least obsessive way start a massage, since you constantly touch your feet while changing diapers or diapers.
Patting stimulates the nervous system, and stroking soothes.
Use long and soft movements with light pressure and a speed of approximately 2 cm per second (lymph flow speed), jerky, fast and too light touches can irritate the child.
Repeat each movement at least 3 times.
Massage of the limbs and body is performed mainly from the periphery to the center, and the abdomen - clockwise and only in its lower half, without affecting the areas of the liver and heart.
Before starting the procedure, warn your child about the massage. Over time, he will get used to it, remember and know what they are going to do with him.
Play soothing background music or hum to yourself.
It is not necessary to do a full body massage every time; if after rubbing the feet the child does not want to continue, you should not force him.
Follow the wishes of the child, when he turns away, cries or is capricious, postpone the procedure, if he does not like any movements, do not insist. Massage should be enjoyable.

You can use using the following techniques:

stroking, this is the movement recommended for newborns;
rubbing – for children from 6 weeks;
kneading, this technique is used mainly by specialists;
vibration or tapping - on the feet and palms can be used from the very beginning, on the body only after 1.5 months of life.

Features of massage for babies of different ages and a set of exercises

Until one and a half months, pediatricians recommend using gentle stroking as a massage. This is due to the fact that the skin of a newborn is too thin and delicate, and patting can lead to hyperstimulation of the nervous system. In the future, the remaining techniques are gradually introduced, and by 3-4 months, some gymnastic elements are introduced.

The actual home massage procedure for newborns may look like this:

Legs and feet. Stroke your feet, make a few circular movements over them and pay attention to each toe. You can gently pick them up with your thumb and forefinger and roll them gently. Then take the baby's heel in one hand and stroke it with the other, starting from the hip to the ankle, squeezing lightly - this is similar to milking a cow. Make a few reverse movements from ankle to hip and switch legs.
Hands. Start with your palms, massaging each finger and then using gentle, gentle pressure, stroke from the armpits to the hands and then back again. You can slightly turn your wrists to one side or the other.
Head. Place your hands on either side of your baby's head and then down to their toes. Then draw small circles on the head with your fingertips.
Face. Place your hands (as if you are praying) on the child's forehead, and then gently move them towards the temples. By using thumb draw a smile on your baby's face by stroking him from one cheek across upper lip to another. Repeat on lower lip.
Breast. Place your arms over your baby's chest and then spread them out to the sides as if you were smoothing out pages open book.
Stomach. Using your fingertips, draw an oval below your baby's belly button (clockwise to follow natural way digestion).
Back. Swipe it from side to side, and then up and down. Make also circular movements.

General restorative massage for newborn children, carried out at home, can speed up the psychological and physical development child, relieve digestive problems, give deep sleep. But its most valuable advantage is the possibility of mutual communication. Many pediatricians argue that the main thing is not so much the technique, but the pleasure that parents and children receive from touch, smell and eye contact. A restorative massage should be performed only after consultation with a doctor, and a therapeutic massage should be performed according to strict indications.

Useful video about baby massage

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Massage for newborns: techniques and rules

No matter how much is said about the benefits of massage, you yourself must be sure that massage for newborns will be useful.

Rules of massage for a newborn

1. When should I start giving a newborn a massage? Until the newborn reaches the second month, massage cannot be done! The little one was just born and is getting used to the outside world. He doesn't need any additional stress right now. However, mother's very light stroking of the baby is welcome.

2. At the very beginning of your training, you do not need to perform the entire set of exercises. It is enough to start with some individual parts of the body. For example, with light stroking of the legs and buttocks, which toddlers love so much. After a few days, you can move on to massaging the tummy, back and chest.

3. Not all babies like newborn hand exercises. However, it is in these limbs that increased tone. Therefore, it is necessary to do such exercises. It's very simple:

Place the baby on a horizontal surface, spread the baby's arms to the sides, then press them to the chest again. This needs to be done 4-5 times.

Alternately raise the newborn's arms to his head, then lower them again along his body.

4. Massage for newborns should be done daily. The toddler will get used to the activities and will not show dissatisfaction. You need to start the procedure with a minimum duration (5-10 minutes). By the end of the second month it will be 30 minutes. Everything should be increased smoothly.

5. The massage course lasts 20 days. Then there is a break for 2-3 weeks.

6. It is better to conduct your very first classes under the supervision of a specialist.

7. Distract your baby from such difficult work for him: sing songs, coo, tell nursery rhymes, smile.

When is massage contraindicated?

Any febrile conditions in an infant - diseases associated with hypersensitivity skin - hernias prone to strangulation - pyelonephritis, hepatitis, tuberculosis - diseases characterized by fragility of bones and blood vessels

Purulent and acute inflammation skin, lymph nodes, bones and muscles

Massage techniques for a newborn

Stroking – gentle and uniform sliding movements of the palm over the baby’s skin

Rubbing is putting more effort into the movement of the palm than stroking. The impact on the child's skin occurs in various directions.

Kneading is a deep muscle massage in which the muscle itself is grasped and kneaded with rhythmic spiral movements of the fingers.

Effleurage is light but very rhythmic blows with the tips of the fingers or palms. Used for very well-fed newborns.

All these techniques must be carried out in a special sequence:

stroking – rubbing – stroking – kneading – stroking – effleurage – stroking

Massage for newborns should always begin with gentle movements. Stroking is repeated 4-6 times, other techniques – 8-12 times. The pressure should be increased only after the child's muscles have relaxed.

Movements from top to bottom should always be easier than movements from bottom to top.

Full body massage

The principles of rubbing and kneading are suitable for massaging the hands and feet.

The buttocks, arms, legs, back and chest will welcome stroking and light tapping (baby is 2-3 months old). All these manipulations will reduce muscle tone, relax and improve blood and lymph circulation.

The tummy is massaged in a circular motion with the palm in a clockwise direction (if a newborn has diarrhea, then counterclockwise)

The chest is massaged, starting from the middle of the sternum to the shoulders, and again from the middle to the lateral surfaces.

Buttocks – move your palm from the hip joints to the anus.

Handles – we start with the hand and lead to the axillary lymph nodes.

Back – from the spine we move to the sides, from the lower back – to the shoulder.

Legs - move your palm from the foot to the lymph nodes of the groin.

It is always better to start a massage for newborns with the hands and feet. The child's limbs should be slightly bent. Your hands should be in a relaxed state.

Never massage your newborn's kneecap or inner thigh.

Do not pat the area where the kidneys are located

During the massage, do not touch the baby’s genitals.

Massage for a newborn in pictures

Let's get started.

1. Your child must be in good mood. Before you start massaging your legs and feet, make sure your baby is ready for it. To do this, take him by the leg and bend it a little, show the limb to the little one. Everything is fine? Is the child still smiling? Then you can undress him and begin the procedure.

2. For massage, use special baby oil. We used the Bubchen company.

3. Take the child’s leg and bend it so that the gas comes out. Continue to hold your hand under your baby's knee, move your palm away from the ankle, continuing past the knee, then across outer surface thighs (don’t touch the inner ones!)

Upper body massage.

1. Stroking from the shoulders to the middle of the chest

2. Light strokes from shoulders to wrists

3. Very gently make circular movements over the tummy. We DO NOT massage the navel and the area around it.

Face and back massage

1. For the face we use fingertips

2. Long strokes from the cervical vertebrae to the anus

3. If the child begins to cry and resist, stop the massage immediately

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How to massage a child correctly?

Children's massage is often not a whim of parents, but a real necessity: thanks to its sessions, it is possible to significantly improve the overall nervous activity of children, reduce stress levels, and contribute to the accelerated physical development of the child. It has been scientifically proven that massage therapy, performed regularly, has a healing effect.

When should you start giving massage to children?

Parents of any gender can learn how to perform massage. It is best to start his sessions when the child reaches the age of one and a half to two months: until then, the skin of newborn children is too tender. The most suitable time for a massage is right before eating. It is not recommended to massage immediately after eating; it is better to wait an hour or an hour and a half so that the food is better absorbed.

Please note special attention to ensure that massage sessions are as comfortable as possible for the child: the room should be warm enough, there should be no strangers or objects nearby that could frighten the baby. You should not use special oils, liquids and creams that are so popular with most adults. Your hands should be dry and warm.

Preparing for a baby massage

It is recommended to start the massage when the child is in a calm, friendly mood. If he is excited, very playful or unhappy, you should postpone the planned session a little. If you have a fussy baby, try not to start rubbing while he is bad mood, frustration or crying: otherwise, you can permanently associate his idea of a massage with thoughts of something unpleasant and disgusting.

During the massage, the child should not tense up, cry or scream - in general, express his dissatisfaction. Otherwise, you are doing something wrong. Take care of his comfort in advance: place the baby on a flat surface covered with soft, dry material. Linen and cotton are ideal for this.

What baby massage techniques are popular today?

If specialized kits can be used for older children massage movements and even entire complexes, then in the case of newborn babies you should limit yourself to four basic movements: patting, rubbing, stroking the body and kneading the muscles.

You need to start a massage session with as gentle actions as possible so that the baby gets a little used to touching and relaxes. When massaging a newborn baby, you should touch his body only with the tips and pads of your fingers: with this approach, the risk of causing damage to the baby’s skin is much less.

By the way, you can get lessons in massaging a newborn baby from your local pediatrician: the doctor will teach you the basics, basic movements and massage options, which you can refine “at home” on your own.

How often should massage sessions be performed?

As with everything related to raising children, moderation should be exercised here. One or two massage sessions a day are more than enough. Please pay special attention that massage can excite your baby, which means it should not be done an hour or two before the expected bedtime.

When should you not massage newborns?

There are several contraindications when it is highly recommended not to massage a child:

In case of identified acute respiratory and infectious diseases, especially if they are in the acute stage.
If a child is diagnosed with rickets.
In cases of skin inflammation, rashes, pustular formations, diathesis.
When a baby has an inguinal, femoral, umbilical or other types of hernia.
Hemophilia, tuberculosis, malignant formations are also contraindications for baby massage.
Hepatitis, arthritis and increased fragility bone tissue the child is required to refuse massage.
Congenital heart disease, compensation disorders and some other diseases also prevent the baby from massaging.

Before the age of two months, it is recommended to start the session with flexion and extension of the joints, placing the baby on his back. Then they move on to gentle rubbing of the limbs. The newborn's head should be protected from sudden twitching and other careless actions that may accompany an inexperienced parent during the first massage sessions. After rubbing the legs and arms, turn the baby onto his tummy and knead his back, buttocks and feet. After this, you need to turn the baby on his back again and lightly stroke his stomach: this action will help improve the digestion of your son or daughter.

Massage is a procedure that ideally complements daily child care infancy. This type exposure has many advantages and has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the baby’s body.

This is why many new mothers and fathers are concerned about the age at which infants can be massaged and how often manipulations need to be carried out. In addition, most parents are interested in whether they need to contact a specialist. Or you should carry out the procedure yourself at home.

What kind of massage can be given to infants?

There are several types of massage depending on its focus, namely:

prophylactic;
medicinal;
therapeutic and prophylactic.

The last type of influence is used to improve the functioning of the body and general condition baby's health. Therapeutic and preventive massage is an effect on the entire area of the baby’s body. In this case, the emphasis is on problem areas.

Medical procedures are needed if a small child has problems with the digestive, respiratory or genitourinary system.

Benefits of massage

Massage brings undeniable benefits to the baby's body. It helps the baby correct orthopedic disorders and problems with the nervous system, namely muscle hypertonicity, poor dilution in hip joint legs In addition, regular sessions can correct problems with outward and inward feet.

Massage sessions will help a small child’s body get rid of so-called residual reflexes. Normally, they disappear on their own closer to 4-5 months of the baby’s life. But if this does not happen within the specified period, the baby needs the help of a specialist.

Massage has a positive effect on lymphatic system baby, and for healthy development musculoskeletal system.

How often can you massage your baby?

Parents need to know about the features of massage sessions. One procedure should last no more than forty-five minutes. The minimum duration of the massage is twenty minutes. The exposure time increases as the baby adapts to the specialist’s manipulations.

Parents need to understand that massage is only useful if the effect is pleasant for the baby. If the child behaves restlessly or becomes anxious during the session, new parents need to take necessary measures. Otherwise, the massage may be harmful.

How often can you get a massage? As a rule, one massage course consists of ten sessions. Although in some cases visible result I manage to get it a little later, after 12-13 sessions. For the effects to be most effective, doctors strongly recommend combining the session with gymnastics and hardening.

In addition, parents are concerned about how long it takes to massage their baby again. In the absence of contraindications, the course is carried out once every three months. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a more dense treatment or prevention regimen. In this case, the break between courses is one month.

When can you start doing massage?

Many parents are interested in at what age and how often they can massage their baby. The first sessions begin already in the third week after the baby is born. It is worth considering that during this period only light stroking is allowed. Other types of influence are strictly prohibited.

When the baby turns three months old, other types of massage can be introduced: rubbing, kneading and patting. If necessary, the above manipulations can be used once the child reaches two months of age.

Basic rules and features

You need to know about the nuances that must be observed during a massage session.

The room temperature should be between 18 and 22 degrees. If you deviate from the accepted norm, you must either ventilate the room or, conversely, heat the office or room.
For massage it is best to use a special couch. If there is none, manipulations should be carried out on a perfectly flat surface, the dimensions of which do not interfere with the baby’s movements and turns. It should be covered with a flannel blanket, diaper or oilcloth.
All necessary tools should be at hand. This will help you not to be distracted from the session.
It is strictly forbidden to do a massage with a long manicure or protruding nail decorations. During the procedure, all jewelry from the hands (rings, bracelets, watches) must be removed so as not to injure the small child.
It is necessary to choose the right time for the massage. The baby should be in a good mood, cheerful and cheerful. It is best to do the procedure one hour after feeding.
During the massage, you need to maintain a dialogue with the baby so that his mood remains elevated.

Contraindications to massage are various diseases of the blood and cardiovascular system, ARVI. It is worth postponing the session even if elevated temperature the baby’s body, as well as with increased bone fragility. It is necessary to refuse massage if affected skin small child with ulcers or boils. If the baby has a heart defect, before the course you need to mandatory consult a cardiologist.

If the above conditions are met, massage will bring exceptional benefits to the baby and will promote better development his body.

Should you contact a professional massage therapist?

At home, you can perform a preventive massage, which will include stroking movements. Pediatricians say that such an effect is quite enough to prevent the appearance of various diseases and pathologies, and promote proper development child's body.

In all other cases, when a small child needs a therapeutic or therapeutic-and-prophylactic massage, doctors strongly recommend contacting a specialist so as not to harm the baby’s body, but to bring him exceptional benefit.

Instead of a conclusion

Experts even recommend regular massage healthy kids. This type of influence has many undeniable advantages and, if certain conditions are met, can bring exceptional benefits to the baby’s body. That is why new parents are interested in how often they can massage their infant.

In some cases, sessions may well replace medicines. This type of impact on children's body affects not only the physical development of the child, but also his neuropsychological status.

If necessary, sessions can be carried out as early as the second week of the baby’s life. But at this age you need to limit yourself to light stroking. It is best to avoid other types of manipulation. From the age of two months, massage can be enriched with new types of effects.

Each of us needs touch, especially babies under one year old. A relaxing massage for infants allows not only to establish tactile contact between the child and his mother, but also to relieve muscle tone, and also promotes general development baby. A set of exercises enriched with movement will prepare the baby for crawling, sitting and walking.. Below we will tell you how to massage an infant on different stages its development up to a year so that there is only benefit from the sessions.

How is this beneficial for a newborn?

Massages for infants can be therapeutic and preventive, and if the first type should only be performed by a specialist, then the second is quite feasible for mothers. You can do daily exercises to strengthen your baby's muscles at home if your pediatrician allows it. Children's doctor will show you the basic movements with which you will perform a relaxing massage for a newborn and an infant up to a year.

Preventive sessions will help your baby improve blood circulation in tissues and metabolism. During infant massage, receptors located on the surface of the skin are stimulated, this will have a positive effect on the functioning of the brain and the entire nervous system: the baby will behave calmer and sleep better.

Massages for infants have a positive effect on children’s immunity, strengthening it and reducing the risk of contracting colds. When the baby gets older and gymnastic elements are added to the stroking, daily sessions will have a beneficial effect on all the child’s systems. Massages for infants will strengthen the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system, eliminate colic and stool disorders in the baby.

When should infants not be massaged?

You consulted with your local pediatrician, and he allowed you to do a relaxation course for the newborn, but do not rush to get down to business immediately. There are a number of temporary contraindications, in the presence of which it is better to postpone the procedure for a while:

The procedure cannot be performed on children under 20 days old;
if the baby has digestive disorders, for example, he vomited today or had repeated loose stool, it would be right to postpone infant massage;
There is no need to massage infants if children are diagnosed with infectious disease, since the child’s body will be busy fighting the disease;
if there is a rash, diaper rash or sweat rash on the skin, it is better not to disturb children by giving infant massage;
It is not recommended to massage infants if children have an elevated temperature due to colds, overheating, reactions to vaccination or teething;
If the baby is not in the mood today and is capricious, it would be right to postpone the relaxing infant massage.

We massage babies

Your pediatrician may prescribe general restorative procedures for you by issuing a referral letter labeled “Massage No. 10.” This does not mean that you need a specialist who will conduct a professional and some special treatment session for your baby. This direction indicates that your baby needs a general simple massage lasting 10 days.

Such baby massage breastfeeding does not require any special medical knowledge or professional skills from you. Many mothers need only one session with a specialist to understand how to act correctly. Having mastered the manner and algorithm of stroking, you will be able to do massages for infants at home yourself.

If you have been prescribed not a general, but a therapeutic massage of infants, it would be right to contact a specialist. The benefits of your careless actions when professional help is needed may be questionable. The treatment course should be completely entrusted to a specialist.

Preparing for the infant massage procedure

Ventilate the room where you will conduct the session in advance. Cover the area where you plan to study with your child with a blanket, oilcloth and flannelette diaper. In order not to be distracted and not to leave your baby alone, prepare in advance everything you need that will be needed during and after the infant massage - oils, powder or cream, diaper and clothes.

To avoid injuring your baby when giving him a massage, you should cut your nails and remove jewelry from your hands.

Massage for a newborn

Preventive procedures for newborns can be done only after they are 20 days old. Massage of a baby up to a month should be done with light, stroking movements, moving from the periphery to the center and from bottom to top.

We smooth out the baby's arms, starting with the fingers and gradually moving towards the shoulders.
Use light massaging movements to stroke your baby's feet, legs and thighs.
We stroke the baby's tummy clockwise.
Avoiding the area of the mammary glands, we move our palms from the tummy to the shoulders, and from the shoulders to the sides. If the baby has a tummy ache, and the child is capricious from your touching him, it is better to move to another place. Massages for infants should bring pleasure, but not discomfort.
We stroke the back from the lower back to the shoulders, and from the line of the spine to the sides.
Laying the baby on his side, gently run his palm along the back from the lower back to the shoulders. Then we turn the baby over to the other side and repeat the movements.

So calming and light massage for infants, it should be done for children up to the age of 4 months, until it weakens.

Massage for infants from 4 months

After muscle tone returns to normal in children under one year old, you can make the restorative preventive massage for infants a little more complex. Now, rubbing and passive gymnastics for the legs and arms are added to the stroking. It is not recommended to touch the inner thighs and spine when you perform a toning rubbing massage on your baby.

Each point of the massage algorithm for infants should be repeated 4 times at first, gradually increasing the number of repetitions of movements to 10. The duration of classes with the baby should gradually increase, and if previously 10 minutes for classes was enough, now gymnastics and massage of infants should be given about half an hour.

Hands

When lifting your baby's arms, lightly stroke them from hand to shoulder.
Start rubbing gently upper limbs in the same direction, slightly moving the skin as you move. This increase in movements during massages for infants tones the necessary areas of muscles and develops them.
Place your baby's hands in yours thumbs and, grasping his hands, bend the child’s arms at the elbows, crossing them on the chest, and then spread them apart.

Stomach

Using circular motions, gently stroke your baby's belly in a clockwise direction as usual.
Using gentle pressure, rub the baby's muscles vertically and horizontally.

Neck

Strengthen neck muscles you can, based on the “hovering” reflex: lift the baby lying on his back, holding him under the buttocks and shoulder blades. The baby will instinctively tense his neck muscles and bend his torso. This exercise during massage for infants forces almost all the muscles of their body to work. To avoid overtiring children, it is recommended not to repeat them more than once per session.

Legs

Continue the massage for infants by stroking the feet from heel to toes.
Stroke and then gently rub the baby’s feet in the direction from the little toes, moving under all the toes, back side baby's legs until you reach the ankle joint.
Raising your foot a little, smooth and rub the outer and back sides of the lower leg and thigh in the direction from bottom to top.
With your palms around your baby's shins, bend and unbend his legs one at a time, as if your baby is stomping. This massage develops the hip and knee joints baby, as well as the muscles involved in the movements of the legs.
Grab your baby's legs just above the knees and bend and straighten only the hip joints.

"Rehearsal" for turning over

Place the baby on his back, hold his straightened legs with one hand, and grab the baby's left arm with the other. Gently pull the baby so that he begins to roll over to the right and onto his stomach. Change the baby's handle and turn him over onto his tummy over his left side. After some time, you will notice that when performing such an exercise in a massage for a baby, he tends to roll over on his own.

A restorative preventive massage for infants up to one year old with elements of turning over stimulates the development of children's skills and teaches them to move correctly.

Back and buttocks

Lay the baby on his stomach and stroke the baby's back and butt, moving from bottom to top and from the line of the spine to the sides.
Start rubbing your back and tummy, moving in the same directions.
Using circular movements with your fingertips and gentle pressure, knead your baby's back, avoiding the kidney area.

Neck and back

Place your palms under your baby's belly and chest and lift him off the surface he was sitting on. The baby will reflexively arch and raise his head.

Breast

Turn your baby back onto his back and smooth his chest with gentle movements, working from the center to the armpits.
Bending the fingers of both hands gently, almost without pressure, massage the intercostal spaces with them.
Grasping the baby's chest with both hands and placing your thumbs under the baby's nipples, use light pressure movements to slowly move the baby's skin upward. This exercise, when performing massages for infants, helps to increase the volume of the chest and deepens the breathing of children.

Sitting down

For a baby lying on his back, spread his arms to the sides, and then pull him slightly towards himself so that the baby rises slightly. It is not recommended to seat children under six months, so at first it is better not to carry such an exercise to its logical conclusion, so as not to harm the baby’s posture and not to change its position internal organs. Closer to six months, you can sit your baby down.

Crawling rehearsal

Lay the baby on his stomach and move his bent arms under his sides, and bend his legs at the knees. When a child is in this position, he will reflexively try to rise.

Stepping over

Take the baby under the arms and, holding him, let him feel the support under his feet. The child will instinctively begin to step with his legs. This exercise will stimulate an innate reflex, which will soon develop into conscious motor skills.

Before giving a relaxing massage to an infant, consult your pediatrician and find out if your baby has any contraindications;
follow the age recommendations for massage sessions for infants - it is advisable not to sit children under six months old, there is no need to put the baby on a full foot until he is ready for this;
if during the procedure the child began to be capricious, for example, when you turned him over on his tummy, return him to the previous position or completely stop the relaxing massage for infants;
During the massage, infants need to talk gently and casually with the baby so that he feels comfortable and calm, and the session itself evokes positive emotions in him.