All newborn babies come to this world with bent arms and legs and tightly clenched fists. The movements of the baby's limbs are erratic. This phenomenon is completely normal and is called "physiological tone." The task of parents is to eliminate this tone and help their baby to comprehend the science of conscious movements. This will help you massage.
Types of massage
Depending on the goal pursued, massage is divided into the following types:
- medical;
- prophylactic;
- therapeutic and prophylactic.
Therapeutic massage should be carried out by a specialist. It can be prescribed for the following diseases identified in the baby:
- hypertonicity or hypotension;
- hip dysplasia;
- congenital dislocation of the joint;
- acquired or congenital clubfoot;
- umbilical hernia;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- flat feet;
- deformation of the legs (X- or O-shaped).
For each disease, its own special massage techniques are used, which, as a rule, differ from each other.
Prophylactic massage recommended to all newborns if there are no contraindications. Sessions of this massage can improve blood circulation and appetite, normalize metabolism, and normalize breathing. In children with increased excitability, behavior is stabilized and sleep is normalized. It turns out that massage is able to reduce the hormone cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone, with its increased content, the body's immune defense is destroyed. Therefore, under the influence of massage improves the immunity of the child.
Since prophylactic massage is carried out in most cases by the parents themselves, his sessions are an additional way of contact between the baby and mom or dad. Undoubtedly, this will improve the psychological state of the crumbs.
Therapeutic massage, like medical, is prescribed by a doctor and is carried out by specialists. It involves massaging the entire body, with particular attention to problem areas. This type of massage is able to normalize croincirculation, improve the cardiovascular system, correct the defective state of bones and muscles, eliminate intestinal colic. It is also recommended for diseases of the respiratory system, genitourinary and digestive systems. Therapeutic and preventive massage has a beneficial effect on the motor abilities of the baby. The child will quickly learn to roll over, sit down and crawl.
Benefits / benefits of massage
There are many receptors on our skin that, when irritated, send signals to the brain.This is how the work and development of the entire nervous system of a person is stimulated, and massage occupies a leading position here. After all, it is during the massage session that the most nervous receptors are irritated.
When massaging the body, blood circulation improves, and this positively affects the condition of any internal organ. That is why preventive massage sessions are recommended for all children in their first year of life.
For babies, massage replaces gymnastics. In addition, in newborns, auditory and visual abilities are not yet sufficiently developed, the whole world is felt through touch. Therefore, it is massage that develops the emotional state of the infant and the ability to perceive the world around it.
Pediatricians consider massage a reliable tool for the prevention of various diseases, since the coordinated work of all organs depends on it.
We have already mentioned the beneficial effects of massage procedures on the immunity of a newborn. So, as a result of this influence, the child will be less likely to “pick up” various infections and colds.
Massage sessions are useful for the digestive system, eliminating intestinal colic and constipation in children. They also have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system, helping to form the correct posture and, if necessary, restore physical shape.
When is massage needed?
Massage for newborns is usually prescribed for the following diseases:
- malnutrition;
- rickets;
- muscle hypertonicity;
- valgus and flat valgus deformities of the feet;
- residual reflexes of the newborn;
- tremor of various parts of the body;
- lesions of the central nervous system;
- Cerebral palsy;
- umbilical hernia;
- hip dysplasia;
- torticollis;
- clubfoot, flat feet, deformation of the legs;
- scoliosis;
- chest deformity.
A massage course can also be prescribed as part of the treatment of bronchial asthma, pneumonia, fractures of the extremities, etc. It is also indicated for increased limb tone and constipation.
However, if the baby did not have any special indications for massage, they can and should do it on their own at home. Naturally, observing the necessary conditions, and, after consulting with a pediatrician.
Contraindications
- Any kind of massage will not bring any benefit if the baby has an elevated body temperature. It is contraindicated in case of various injuries or diseases of the skin (especially of a pustular nature), increased fragility of bones, diseases of the circulatory system, SARS.
- It is advisable to abandon massage procedures in the midst of the acute stage of any disease.
- In the presence of umbilical hernia, massage should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, since in this case it is necessary to exclude the possibility of pinching of the hernia.
- In children with heart disease, massage sessions should be monitored by a pediatric cardiologist.
- It is not recommended to massage and with increased nervousness of the baby, since this condition causes an increased muscle tone.
In any case, a doctor should prescribe a massage course, "amateur activity" is unacceptable.
Fundamental rules
You can start doing massage from 20 - 30 days of a child's life. In children under the age of 3 months, it is impossible to massage the fontanel and under the knees, the elbow, the armpits, and the inner thighs. Pressure and shock movements, pats are also contraindicated, so you only cause excessive irritation of the receptors and increased nervous excitability of the baby.
- The temperature in the room should be between 18 and 23 degrees. The most important thing is the temperature regime in the room. Do not forget that the baby will be completely undressed for some time and may freeze. No need to reassure yourself that during the massage the body warms up. This axiom applies to an adult. For crumbs, massaging movements are more stroking than power, and therefore the warming effect is almost zero. The fact that the baby is frozen can tell you the hiccups that have begun and the temperature of the baby’s nose. We read articles about optimal room temperature for a newborn baby, and it’s useful to read the article on the hardening procedure, namely about baby baths.
- For the massage should prepare a changing table or any flat surface. Cover with a thin blanket, oilcloth or diaper. The surface should be wide enough so that you can freely turn the baby over.
- It is advisable to equip the place for the massage with everything necessary in advance. Consider what may come in handy and ensure that these products are in close proximity. You should not be distracted and leave the baby, even put a mobile phone nearby. It is also advisable to lay an absorbent reusable diaper, because the baby still can not control the process of urination.
- Particular attention should be paid to your hands. Long nails are undesirable not only for massage, they are extra and with daily child care. The beauty of the hands and good manicure are possible with short nails, so cut them for a while while the baby is at a tender age. It is also recommended to remove all jewelry from hand. The extra chance of injury is completely useless to you.
- Be able to choose the right time for the procedure. After all, you can approximately calculate when a child asks to eat and sleep. Massage is best done after one and a half to two hours after feeding. Even with a little discomfort on the part of the baby, the process will not give positive results.
- Do not be silent during the massage, talk with the child. Any children's songs and nursery rhymes will be useful. Such simultaneous classes not only set the baby up for positive, but also develop his auditory and conversational abilities.
- The gradual complication of exercises and increase the time of massage procedures.
- The direction of massage movements: strictly from the bottom up, from the periphery to the center.
- Movements must be careful and not cause the baby any discomfort.
- The duration of one session is 15-20 minutes.
Step-by-step technique
We remind you right away that there should not be any power movements when performing massage for the newborn. Only light stroking movements.
- We always start with the pens of the crumbs. Massage each finger individually, open the fists and pay attention to the palms. Gently move to the wrist massage and gradually rise higher. Armpits do not touch.
- Seamlessly move on to the legs. First, massage the foot, not forgetting to pay attention to each finger. Next, we perform light massaging movements in the direction from the foot to the groin. Careful with the knees, there should not be any effect on the joints. We don’t touch the area under the knees.
Important! During the massage procedure, the arms and legs of the newborn should be bent!
- Gradually go to the tummy and stroke it from the navel clockwise. Next, we close our hands on the midline of the tummy and begin to make sliding movements: one hand moves up and the other down. At the same time, we try to avoid exposure to the genitals.
- We begin to massage the baby's chest in the direction from the sternum to the shoulders, then from the sternum to the sides. Breast glands bypass.
- Turn the crumbs on the stomach and gently massage the neck. In those moments when the baby is trying to raise or turn his head, it is recommended that all movements be stopped.
- Next, we begin the back massage. There are two directions of motion - from the lower back to the shoulders, then from the spine to the sides. The spine itself is not massaged. We stroke the ass in the direction from the lateral surface of the thighs to the coccyx.
- We spread the crumbs on the left side and carefully draw a hand along the paravertebral lines in the direction from the sacrum to the head. In this case, the child should slightly bend forward. We make no more than three movements and repeat the same thing in position on the right side.
- We put the child in the starting position and massage the head, avoiding the fontanel area (probably it is not worth explaining why). Do not forget about the ears. We also give them a little time and affection.
We finish the massage with stroking movements throughout the body.
Massage for children from 1 to 3 months in pictures
To master all these “wisdom” is not as difficult as it seems at the beginning. We hope that with our help you will become a professional masseur for your crumbs.
Exercises for a monthly child are selected taking into account its general condition, as well as individual characteristics.
The main methods of massage according to V. I. Vasichkin
- Stroking - a manipulation in which the massage therapist, without moving the skin into folds, glides over the skin of a child with varying degrees of pressure;
- Trituration - a technique in which the massage therapist’s hand moves, stretches the underlying tissues;
- Kneading - a technique in which the massaging arm performs three stages: fixing, squeezing or squeezing, rolling. This technique is rarely used in baby massage, preferably by a specialist.
- Vibration- a manipulation in which the massage therapist transfers various oscillatory movements to the child. At a month old, this is usually a pat.
Complex
- Stroking hands - 8-10 times.
- Stroking legs - 10 times.
- Rubbing the feet - 10 times.
- Flexion and extension of the toes - 6 times.
- Torso sway left and right - up to 8 times.
- Stroking the abdomen - 6-8 times. This set of exercises must be carried out starting from a month old. Then you can add to it one of the following exercises every week:
- Stroking the back - up to 8 times.
- Kneading legs - 6 times.
- Patting your buttocks - up to 10 times.
- Crawl - 2-3 times.
Massage for the baby in the first month - This is a necessary means of regulating the work of the muscles of the flexors and extensors, the activity of the nervous system and the overall harmonious development of a newborn baby.
On the topic of massage and hardening:
If the child is often tormented by colic, then here is the instruction on how to do itmassage from colic;
- In addition to massage, it is very useful to apply hardening of newborn children, see rules and methods of hardening;
- It is important to spend with a childfitball lessons.
Video guide: massage instructions for babies
Massage for babies in 1 month
Baby massage and therapeutic exercises for infants from 1.5 to 3 months
This video tutorial was prepared with the help of an experienced massage therapist. Watch and learn to massage a newborn baby so that he quickly learns to roll over.
From a month to six months she did the massage herself, relying on the doctor’s instructions for physiotherapy exercises. Apparently she was doing everything right, because the child crawled early and went. I completely agree that massage is an important and necessary thing!
She did the massage on her own, the pediatrician on patronage showed how and what to do. Mostly, it was limited to stroking and circular movements on the tummy, to facilitate childhood colic. I don’t know which of us received more pleasure from these procedures) All the indicators of the baby are normal, sat down and went on time.
And I went to the masseur, to the hospital. There was a problem with the joints, more precisely - hip dysplasia. It was scary to do massage on your own, because if you do it wrong you can do harm.
Therefore, be sure to consult your doctor.
Massage should be done, but very carefully. My daughter had hip dysplasia. Assigned a massage. I drove her to the hospital every day to a masseuse. I watched the whole process every time, but in the end I would still not have repeated it myself. Therefore, it is very good when there is a video of massage (even the most primitive) at hand. In no case do harm. My children did not like massage in any of its manifestations, so it was hard to understand whether I was doing something wrong, or if they simply did not like all these manipulations. Therefore, once or twice it would be better to do this under the supervision of a doctor, if possible ...
That's great