The question of the first massage for a baby should be raised no earlier than 5-6 weeks after birth. The procedure is based on several simple movements - kneading, stroking, vibration and rubbing.
Massage rules
Ventilate the area before starting the procedure. Massage for a child is not only muscle training, but also hardening. If it's warm enough outside, leave the windows open.
Choose a place familiar to your baby for the procedure, for example, a changing table. Conduct the session while the child is awake and in a good mood. Dissatisfaction with the crumbs should be a signal for you to stop moving.
Shake your hands and rub together before starting. Make sure your hands are dry and warm. During the procedure, communicate with the baby, talk, smile and sing songs, since massage is also a psychological contact.
The main rule that must be adopted is that movements are carried out from the periphery to the center, along the joints. Start and end with stroking strokes. Relaxing massage is effective in the evening before water treatments.
Complex of massage exercises
"Hammer". Lay the child on the back on a flat surface, grasp the foot of the right leg with your hand, knock on the outside of the leg with the fist of your other hand, moving from bottom to top. Follow the same procedure with the left leg.
"Watch". Use your palm to gently stroke your tummy in a clockwise direction for 5-7 minutes. This movement is especially effective if the child has bowel problems.
"Ironing pens." Use your hand to fix the child's handle, with the other hand, grab his shoulder. With light shaking movements, gradually descend towards the wrist. Perform the movement 2-3 times, then take the other hand.
An effective relaxing movement will be a similar exercise performed on the legs. Hold the child with one hand, with the other grab his leg from below. With shaking movements, move from the hip to the heel.
"Herringbone". Use your palms to stroke the back from the neck to the tailbone, and also with the herringbone toward the spine.
"Toptyzhka". Lay the baby on the tummy, bend your hand into a fist and knead the buttocks with light massaging movements. In this exercise, you can effectively use the muscles of the neck and back, for this, place a bright toy in front of the baby's eyes.
When performing a massage, give up aromatic oils and special powders, their consistency is too dense, it can clog the baby's pores, a daily moisturizer will be enough.
