Baby massage is a form of skin-to-skin contact, essential for their development. It strengthens the bond with parents and has many benefits for their health.
Baby massage is a humane and gentle way to strengthen the relationship between parents and children. The current massages are based on the “shantala”, the traditional massage that has been performed in India for centuries and that is very beneficial for the little one.
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE FOR BABIES
In baby massage it is mainly about building a relationship with the child and communicating with him in a sensory way, but it also produces a number of positive effects:
- Stimulates blood circulation and breathing.
- It can relieve cramps and flatulence.
- It promotes the body’s immune response.
After eight weeks of labor is a good time to start with massage. The correct techniques are learned in special courses by professionals, usually doulas or midwives.
Many new parents are afraid of doing it wrong and appreciate the guidance of a specialist and the exchange with other parents. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, these courses are not taking place. The alternative is books and videos from the internet. In any case, more important than technique is building a relationship with the child through touch.
WATCH FOR YOUR BABY’S CUES DURING THE MASSAGE
By getting ready with your baby for a massage you are creating a bubble outside of time and space. Only he and you matter. There is no thought or interference from the world. Your attitude, in some ways, resembles meditation, only instead of being attentive to your breathing you are attentive to the expressions and gestures of your baby.
Do not wake the baby to do the massage or force the situation in any way.
You also don’t have to if you have a fever or are sick.
You have to feel that it’s time for both him and you. If so, take a deep breath, smile and start the massage. See if he likes it.
It is a good idea to talk to the baby calmly, without making excessive caresses or fuss. You will see that this makes him calmer and will fix his gaze on you.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MASSAGE
- Preparation. Find a cozy, warm place where you can sit cross-legged or stand comfortably. It can be the changing table or the floor, where you can spread a towel on a soft surface. An ambient temperature of 24 degrees is ideal. Turn off your phone and take your time. Place the child in front of you. Warm your hands, have on hand an ecological body oil specific for babies and diapers ready (the massage is done with the naked baby).
- To get started. Pour some oil on your palms, rub them in front of your baby, greet him and explain what you are going to do. Over time, your child will realize that this is the beginning of the massage ritual. It is recommended to concentrate on one part of the body and expand the massage. Let’s start with the chest.
1. HOW TO MASSAGE BABY’S BREAST
To start, rest your hands calmly on your baby’s chest and give him time to get used to the contact. Gently smear some oil on your chest and belly. Now, to “open the chest”, place both hands together at the level of the sternum and gently slide the flat hand towards the shoulders and return making a circle towards the center. Repeat this and all other movements three to five times.
He then places both hands at his sides, stroking slowly and alternately diagonally towards his shoulder and back again. Repeat rhythmically with one hand and the other.
2. MASSAGE THE BELLY
Alternatively, stroke with your flat hands from the costal arch to the groin. When one hand reaches down, the other starts at the top, so one hand must always be in contact with the body. This is a rule for all massage: when one hand is separated from the body, the other must be in contact with it, the child must always feel the contact.
This movement called the “water wheel” helps stimulate digestion.
Then comes “the sun.” To do this, massage clockwise around the navel with the palm of your hand while holding your child by the thigh with the other hand. Finish this movement by sliding your hands from her belly to her feet.
Massage the baby’s belly only clockwise and very carefully if the baby has just been fed. Always pay attention to symmetry.
3.”INDIAN MILKING” ON ARMS AND LEGS
Now the arms are “milked” according to the same principle, starting with the right. Take the child’s shoulder with your hand like a ring and stroke him towards the wrist, then touch the other arm. Remember that you repeat each gesture three to five times.
Then, carefully, “open” the hands of the little one: to do this, take the wrist with one hand and run the thumb of the other from there to the fingertips. Then extend your fingers one by one towards the tips and stretch them very gently. If your child doesn’t want to open his fists, just stroke him on the small clenched fist.
5. THE FACE IS ALSO PART OF THE MASSAGE
Place your hands on the sides of the baby’s head, the thumbs are in the middle of the forehead. With both thumbs at the same time stroke symmetrically from the middle towards the temples and then towards the ears. Allows eye contact.
6. LAST PART OF THE MASSAGE, THE BACK
Place the baby on his stomach. Let your oiled hands rest on your back. Then, place both hands on the baby’s back and slide them back and forth in opposite directions. The hands move slowly down from the shoulders to the pelvis.
Then, you “comb” your back by gently moving from your neck to your buttocks with your flat fingers extended. The other hand remains in contact with the child’s body. Finally, caress his back, to do this, slide the palm of your hand from his head through his back, buttocks, and legs until he reaches his feet. The other hand rests on the side. It is important that you omit the column or simply touch it without pressing.