You don't need special training to share massage's therapeutic benefits with your infant. Your baby can benefit from regular massages if you follow these tips and techniques.

Infant massage has been enjoyed by babies and their parents for centuries. Additionally, there is plenty of research that demonstrates the benefits of infant massage, including improved sleep quality for babies and their parents, lower stress levels, healthy brain development, and improved non-verbal communication. Your caretaking routine can be greatly enhanced by including infant massage. To make your child's massage routine more enjoyable, here are some techniques to use.

Massage for Babies: Benefits

There are many advantages to daily infant massage that the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) divides into four categories: interaction, stimulation, relief, and relaxation. Children and their families, as well as society in general, benefit from these benefits. Among the many benefits of baby massage, here are a few.

The interaction. Regular massage encourages attachment, love, and trust between parents and babies. Children can develop empathy and confidence when they have close contact with their parents at an early age.

A stimulant. In addition to stimulating the digestive, hormonal, immune, and circulatory systems, infant massage also stimulates the muscles and joints. Balance and coordination may improve as a result of improved body awareness in babies.

Relief. There have been reports that massage can relieve gastrointestinal issues such as colic and constipation, teething discomfort, and growing pains in children.

Taking a break. It has been found that infant massage improves a baby's sleep patterns, reduces stress hormones, and increases "feel-good" hormones.

Massage for Infants: How to Get Started

The massage oil should be kept in a non-breakable container, and a blanket or towel should be used. Start when your baby is in a quiet yet alert state. Don't wait until they're sleepy or after a feeding. (Test the oil on a small spot of skin and wait a day to make sure there's no irritation). Form a diamond shape with your legs by sitting on the floor with your soles touching each other. Your feet and knees should be covered by the blanket.

Cradle your baby's head on your feet while you undress them up to their diaper. The first thing you should do is stroke your baby's head to their toes with a gentle "hello.". Move to another body part if your baby becomes stiff, cries, or becomes irritable. Start massaging their body piece by piece if they respond well.

Be sure to seek the advice of your health care provider before beginning a massage routine for your little one. It is generally safe for infants to receive massage, but there might be underlying conditions to consider.

Taking care of a baby's tummy by massaging

Rubbing a baby's stomach can relieve constipation and gas, improve symptoms of colic, and encourage good digestion, according to IAIM. Parents can use this technique to help their children.

1. Hold your hand so your pinky edge can move across your baby's belly like a paddle. As you stroke one hand down, then the other, in a paddle-wheel motion, begin at the base of your rib cage.

2. Use your fingertips to massage your abdomen in a circular, clockwise direction.

3. Draw a letter I down the left side of your baby. From the right side to the left, trace an inverted L across the belly along the base of the ribs. Stifle the baby inverted U, starting low on the right side, then moving up and around the navel, then down the left side.

4. Circumambulate your fingers clockwise around your navel.

5. Knees and feet should be held together, and knees should be pressed upwards toward the abdomen. Sure your baby's hips are turned to the right a few times. Gas is often expelled this way.

6. Rotate your hand from side to side a few times while placing it horizontally on your stomach. You should avoid massaging your tummy if the cord has not fully healed.

 

Massaging a Baby's Head and Face

Before bed, a gentle massage of the head and face can relieve tension, improve blood circulation, and promote sound sleep. You may even be able to promote hair growth with a head massage for follically challenged babies!

1. Massage baby's scalp with your fingertips while cradling his head with both hands. You should avoid the fontanel on your baby's head.

2. The thumb and index finger should be used to massage the ears.

3. Bring your hands together at your baby's chin and trace a heart shape on their face.

4. You should place your thumbs between your baby's eyebrows and stroke them outward.

5. Once again, gently press the closed eyelids of your baby with your thumbs.

6. Overlap the nose bridge with the cheeks.

7. In small circles, massage the jaw with your fingertips.

Baby's chest massage

When a baby is suffering from coughs, colds, or respiratory infections, a chest massage with a therapeutic oil may provide some relief. An infant's breathing patterns and lung health can be improved by a chest massage, even if they are healthy. If your child is sick, consult your pediatrician before giving them a chest massage.

1. From the sternum to the shoulders, stroke outward with both hands on the baby's chest.

2. Bring both hands up and down, then trace a heart shape between the sternum and shoulders.

3. In a crisscross pattern, stroke diagonally from one side of your baby's hip, up and over the opposite shoulder, and back down to the hip.

 

Taking care of a baby's arms by massaging them

As with the rest of the body, massaging baby's arms can help improve muscle tone, coordination, and body awareness.

1. Take hold of your baby's wrist with one hand. By lightly tapping the upper arm, you can relax it.

2. Then, wrap your other hand around the upper arm in a C-shape and stroke from the shoulder to the wrist of the baby.

3. In the same way you would gently wring a towel, with each hand grasping the arm, one right above the other, stroke down from shoulder to wrist.

4. The palm should be massaged from the heel of the hand to the fingers by moving the thumb over the thumb.

5. From wrist to fingertips, stroke down the top of your hand. Make sure each finger is squeezed and pulled gently.

6. Make small circles with your fingers as you massage the wrist.

7. You should roll their arm between both of your hands.

 

Back massage for babies

It may be helpful to give your baby regular back massages in order to ease them into lying on their stomachs. You may want to skip this position if they seem fussy about it and try another that seems more comfortable.

1. The baby should be laid horizontally in front of you on their tummy or across your outstretched legs. They should keep their hands in front of them, not at their sides.

2. Move your hands back and forth from the base of the neck to their buttocks with both hands on baby's back (keeping them in opposite directions).

3. From the neck to the buttocks, stroke your baby's buttocks with one hand.

4. Using your fingertips, massage in small circles down one side of baby's spine and up the other. Avoid pressing on the spine directly.

5. Small circular motions should be applied to their shoulders.

6. Make big circular motions while massaging their buttocks.

7. Stroke the back of the animal with your fingers like a rake.

Leg massage for a baby

Even if your baby isn't walking yet, a gentle leg massage can help relieve tension.

1. Relax one of your baby's legs by gently tapping the upper thigh of the leg you are lifting.

2. Then, with your other hand, hold your baby's upper thigh in a C-shape, thumb down. The thigh should be stroked down to the foot.

3. As you would wring a towel, grasp the leg at the thigh and rotate your hands in opposite directions.

4. From heel to toe, massage the sole of the foot using a thumb-over-thumb motion.

5. Massage the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes with your entire hand.

The Best Ways to Massage a Baby

Incorporating infant massage into your parenting routine doesn't have to be difficult, but you should follow a few general guidelines to maximize your efforts. When it comes to baby massage, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• After feeding your baby, do not massage him or her. After a diaper change or before bedtime, wait at least 45 minutes until your baby is calm and alert.

• Strokes should be gentle, but firm, and not ticklish.

• Your baby should receive massage every day.

• When your baby tells you to stop, follow his or her cues. According to their mood, a massage can last between 10 and 30 minutes. It is a sign that your baby isn't enjoying the massage if he or she is crying, squirming, or falling asleep.

• Any massage oil with harsh ingredients should be avoided, and you should consult your doctor before using it.

• Do not overthink your technique and remember to relax. Share this fun, loving activity with your baby by speaking softly, singing, or humming.

Also Read This Article How To Put a Baby To Sleep In 40 Seconds