Massage for babies: the main aspects

Massage for babies is not only caring for a child, but also a great way to express your love. It will help to calm the child and make it easier to fall asleep.

What is a massage for babies at home?

First of all, these are gentle, rhythmic stroking of the baby's body with your hand. In addition, you can also gently knead the ankles, wrists and fingers of the child.

Soothing stroking stimulates the production of the hormone oxytocin in the mother, the baby, and even the daddy, if he watches how the massage for babies is performed. It is a hormone that causes a feeling of love, warmth, tenderness, when you hold the baby in your arms or breastfeed.

What are the advantages of having a massage for babies?

Massage can help your child:

• To strengthen his affection for you;
• keep calm;
• Become less crying;
• Better to sleep.

Scientific studies show that massage for babies can lead to a decrease in the number of colds of the child. There is also a theory claiming that contact of the skin with the skin of the mother and baby stimulates the development of the child's brain.

You may notice that doing a massage for your child improves your mood. This is the time of active communication with him and eye contact. That's why a massage for babies can help mothers cope with postpartum depression.

When is it better to massage?

Try to choose the time between two feedings - when the baby is not too hungry or with a full stomach, but not right before feeding. Massage just before bedtime will help your child relax. He will become calm, ready for bed.

What should I prepare before I start a massage?

Make sure that the room is warm and there are no drafts. Then put the child on a towel or folded diaper, possibly on a changing mat. Some people prefer to leave the baby's undershirt on the baby during the massage so that he does not overcool. However, it is desirable that he was completely naked.

Since this is a special time for you and your baby, make sure that there are no distractions. If you have a pet, send it to another room, turn off the mobile phone. Turn on some relaxing music, but not loudly - so that the child can hear what you say to him.

You will also need:

- oil for massage;
- a towel or diaper;
- clothes for the baby to dress him after the massage.

The use of a cream or oil will facilitate the sliding of hands over the skin of the baby and help him to relax even more. However, before using, you need to apply a small amount of oil to check if there is an allergic reaction.

At what age is the massage performed for babies?

3 months is the age when the child is already starting to keep the head well and to look meaningfully at the objects surrounding it. This is the most ideal age to start doing a massage for him. However, pediatricians are advised to start it much earlier - at 5-6 weeks. If you start at this age, then just by three months the child will already get used to the massage and will begin to get pleasure from it.

How to do massage?

- Apply a little oil or cream on your hands, rub it between your hands.
- Very gently begin to rub your baby's skin, starting with the legs.
- Keep rubbing, moving upwards, lightly squeezing the calves and thighs.
- For massage of the chest and abdomen, gently place both hands on the center of the body. Spread your arms out to the sides, as if smoothing out the pages of the book.
- Continue to massage while the child likes it.