We need to start giving massage to the newborn. When to start massaging a newborn. Who can and who can’t get a massage?

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 the moments 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 the important moments immediately after the birth of a child is massage to the newborn.

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 the desired area with 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.

Currently, almost all newborn babies are prescribed massage. Such exercises, combined with proper gymnastics, help the child develop faster and adapt to the modern world. This article will tell you about what a massage for infants should be like. If you do not have the appropriate education and skills, then you should first familiarize yourself with some rules.

Restorative massage for infants

Almost every newborn baby is born with strong muscle tone. Don't be alarmed - this is completely normal. This condition is a consequence of the fact that the baby spent nine long months in his mother’s tummy in almost weightlessness.

Massage for infants helps eliminate hypertension. Also, these manipulations help strengthen the baby’s body. During the massage, blood flow increases and muscles warm up. All this allows you to increase your immunity and avoid many diseases in the future.

When should you do a restorative or relaxing massage for infants?

Most doctors (neonatologists, pediatricians and neurologists) recommend starting to carry out such manipulations already in the first month of the baby’s life. However, this is not always possible. If you go to a specialized medical institution, you will most likely be faced with a pre-registration for a massage for infants. Don't want to wait? In this case, you can carry out some manipulations yourself and not waste precious time.

Massage for infants is prescribed to almost everyone. In this case, it does not matter at all whether the child has any deviations. During the first year of life, doctors recommend a total of three courses of massage with short breaks. All this will help the child adapt and quickly acquire some skills.

Conditions

So, you have decided to do a baby massage at home. What will it take? First, you need to decide on the room. It should be light and spacious. Before the session, the room must be ventilated. However, it shouldn't be cold there. The most suitable temperature is 24-26 degrees.

It is also worth choosing a surface. It shouldn't be very soft. If you have a changing table, then use it. Otherwise, give preference to the most ordinary kitchen table. Place a blanket folded several times on a hard surface and cover it with a diaper.

You need to decide on cosmetic products for massage. Prepare rich baby cream or oil in advance. If your baby is prone to an allergic reaction, you can use the most common fragrance-free powder.

Before starting the session, carefully examine your baby and make sure of the following:

• the child is full;
• the baby doesn't want to sleep;
• the baby does not have a fever, runny nose or sore throat;
• the baby has no medical contraindications for the procedure.

How to massage a baby yourself?

Massage for infants with hypertonicity involves a step-by-step treatment of the whole body. You need to move from bottom to top, without missing a single part. First, you should stretch your fingers and feet, then treat your legs. Next comes the turn of the tummy and arms. You need to move in the same order when you turn the baby over.

Remember that during all manipulations you should not put too much pressure on parts of the body. Perform only stroking and smooth movements. The baby's muscles are still very weak, and the bones are fragile and more like cartilage. They are very easy to damage. You should also avoid parts of the body such as the neck and head area. The only exceptions are those cases when you have a medical education and know where exactly certain points of influence are located.

Fingers, feet and legs

Lubricate your baby's hands and feet with your chosen product. After this, take one finger at a time and turn it slightly. Treat all limbs in this way and move on to the foot.

Draw something like an infinity sign from the heel to the toes. Press alternately on the heel, then on the area between the second and third toe. You will see how the baby reflexively squeezes and unclenches his leg.

Next, move on to your calves. They need to be gently massaged in the muscle area and stroked. Hips are treated in a similar way. However, you should not touch the inside. There are many important arteries and veins there that are not yet protected by either muscle or fat.

Tummy and chest

Massage for infants (2 months) helps not only relieve tone and strengthen the body, but also relieves colic. However, it must be done correctly. Lubricate the abdominal area generously and begin making circular movements clockwise from the navel. After this, use gentle pinching movements to massage the umbilical ring. This will help strengthen the muscles in that area.

Make several gathering movements from the barrels to the center of the tummy. Try to avoid the liver and spleen areas. These organs are too close to the skin and can be injured.

Massage for infants (3 months and older) does not involve treatment of the mammary glands. This condition especially applies to girls. It is better to skip this area completely.

Hands and shoulders

Apply the massage product to the indicated area and begin stroking the shoulders. Gradually work your way down your arm, treating each area of ​​skin. Pay special attention to each finger. Stretch your limbs alternately, bending and straightening them.

Massage for 6-month-old infants involves the following manipulation: after treating the hands, place your thumbs in the baby’s palms, when the baby grabs them, pull them slightly towards you - the baby will try to sit up on their own, tensing the abdominal muscles.

It is better not to touch your neck at all, especially if you do not have a medical education. Leave this place for specialists to work. This will help you avoid accidental joint damage and complications.

Abdominal exercises

Massage for infants (2 months) includes the following manipulation: take the baby by one arm and slightly pull it in the opposite direction - the baby will reflexively try to roll over, and you must help him with this.

Lubricate the baby's back with the product and gently stroke it. Massage your shoulders and lumbar region. After this, begin exercises for the hip joints. Remember that the baby should have no contraindications to such gymnastics. You can find out about this from your pediatrician or neurologist.

Bend your leg at the knee and move it to the side. Do a similar procedure with the second limb. The baby should take a frog pose. Don't worry about the baby being in pain. Babies at this age are very flexible and can make similar movements without difficulty.

Vertical gymnastics

When all the baby’s muscles are stretched and warmed up, lift the baby up by the armpit area. Position the baby so that his feet touch the surface - the baby will begin to reflexively make walking movements. Babies after six months especially like this exercise. They get new sensations and are happy.

Pick up your baby and rock him from side to side. This exercise will help develop the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.

How to finish the massage?

After all the procedures performed, it is necessary to feed the baby. Most likely, at this moment the child will fall asleep in a sweet dream. You shouldn't wake him up. Such exercises greatly tire the baby’s still fragile body. Remember that after the massage the baby’s body is warmed up, but during sleep it cools down. Therefore, it is worth covering the child well so that he does not catch a cold.

What benefits does massage give to a baby?

After a few sessions, you can already see a positive effect. The baby will begin to sleep better and longer, become calmer and more confident. The baby will no longer be afraid of his movements. Many children acquire a good appetite and gain weight better after such courses.

In addition, massage will strengthen the immune defense and relieve the child of increased tone. The effect of the work done lasts for an average of 3 months. After this time, you can repeat the gymnastics course.

Summarizing

You have found out what massage for infants is and why it is needed. If possible, contact massage therapists in specialized institutions. If for some reason you decide to conduct a massage course on your own, be sure to consult with a pediatrician and neurologist before doing so.

Health to you and your baby!

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 relieves muscle tone, and also promotes the overall development of the 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 at different stages of its development up to one year so that the sessions only bring benefits.

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. Your pediatrician will show you the basic movements you will use to perform a relaxing massage for your newborn and infant up to one year old.

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 bowel problems 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 stools, it would be right to postpone infant massage;
• there is no need to massage infants if children are diagnosed with an 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 a high temperature due to a cold, overheating, reaction 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.

This infant massage 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.

1. Smooth the baby's arms, starting with the fingers and gradually moving towards the shoulders.
2. Use light massaging movements to stroke your baby's feet, legs and thighs.
3. We stroke the baby's tummy clockwise.
4. 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.
5. We stroke the back from the lower back to the shoulders, and from the line of the spine to the sides.
6. Laying the baby on his side, we carefully run our 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.

This soothing and light massage for infants should be done to children up to the age of 4 months, until they weaken.

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

1. When lifting your baby's arms, lightly stroke them from hand to shoulder.
2. Begin to gently rub your 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 the muscles and develops them.
3. Place your thumbs in the baby's palms and, clasping his hands, bend the baby's arms at the elbows, crossing them on the chest, and then spread them to the sides.

Stomach

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

Neck

You can strengthen the baby’s neck muscles 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

1. Continue the massage for infants by stroking the feet from heel to toes.
2. Stroke and then gently rub the baby's feet in the direction from the little toes, moving under all the toes, on the back of the baby's legs, until you reach the ankle joint.
3. 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.
4. 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 baby’s hip and knee joints, as well as the muscles involved in the movements of the legs.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. Start rubbing your back and tummy, moving in the same directions.
3. 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

1. Turn your baby back onto his back and smooth his chest with gentle movements, working from the center to the armpits.
2. Bending the fingers of both hands gently, almost without pressure, massage the intercostal spaces with them.
3. 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 the location of its 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.

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.

In case of certain diseases, massage is required for the child; 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 massage from an early age is harmful due to poor development of 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.

Massaging an infant under 1 month of age should be done very carefully. 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 over 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 spent performing it. 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. Massage of the neck is added to the massage for 2-month-old infants to strengthen the cervical vertebrae.

Massage for a two-month old baby:

1. You need to start from the legs (ligaments and muscle tissue are strengthened, blood flow improves). Procedure:
   • Gently stroke from the hips down.
   • Massage your feet with your fingers.
   • Rub your feet.
2. After the legs, continue to massage the arms: spread them to the sides, vibrate them a little, massage the palms.
3. 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.
4. The tummy is massaged to prevent navel hernia and relieve colic. Circular movements are made in the direction of the clock.
5. Breasts are being stroked.
6. 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 a 3-month-old infant is aimed at eliminating muscle tension and learning the skill of turning over onto the 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 the 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 stroked from the upper back - the outer side of the palms of both hands, to the bottom - the inner side of the 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 development 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 arm. 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 of 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 a playful way, combined with nursery rhymes and poems. The finger massage technique has a positive effect on the intellect, fine motor skills, and 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.

1. The crossing of the arms is leisurely and fast.
2. Flexion and alignment of the legs.
3. Turning over onto your tummy. The baby will be able to do this exercise himself; he should be pushed a little.
4. Various actions with the back and buttocks.
5. 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.
6. Abdominal massage.
7. 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.
8. Stroking the feet.
9. Raising and lowering straight legs.
10. 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 an 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 have been 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 physical, sensory, auditory, and speech development. Coordination of movements and the inclinations of attention are stimulated, sleep is normalized and blood circulation improves.

In a baby up to a month old, the 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 preventative 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 massages 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 heart defect.

Before you start

1. Before starting the session, ventilate and warm the room to a comfortable warm temperature, because the baby will be naked.
2. Prepare a flat horizontal surface, cover it with a diaper or blanket.
3. 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 at a 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 thighs.

Tummy

We massage the child's tummy by stroking it clockwise. From the midline of the tummy, we smooth the body with sliding movements of the hands (one up, the other down), not reaching the groin area.

Rib cage

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

The baby's head is massaged very carefully, carefully, without touching the fontanelle. 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. Watch how the 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 massaging the abdomen 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 a useful exercise for the 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. At some point 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.
• A six-month-old baby is placed on a ball and placed on his 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 effectively and correctly performed by a professional massage therapist, but if the mother masters a simple technique of how to massage a newborn and works with the baby herself, then this will bring more joy and pleasure from communicating with each other.