How to massage a child at home. Baby massage - a necessity or a pleasure

Massage for children is very important. Today, scientists and doctors are sounding the alarm: an increasing number of babies are born with pathology of the musculoskeletal system, an increasing number of children under one year old acquire various diseases due to the negligent attitude of parents to their health.

Is it possible to massage a child

Many parents are wondering, is it possible to massage a child? Need to! In the East, children's massage is done from the age of three. It improves blood flow in the child's body and stimulates the active development of the brain and motor reflexes. But why this stimulation, if the baby was born absolutely healthy? Maybe you can do without massage? The external environment is very aggressive. Parents do not have the opportunity to provide their baby with crystal clear air, mineral-rich drinking water, good nutrition.

But what do all these benefits have to do with the full physical development of the child, and how can massage help? Baby massage allows you to pointwise activate all organs, processes in a small organism. It is useful for any age with chronic diseases, pathologies of child development. It is very important to remember that the mother can perform the main wellness massage on her own, but a specialist must first do its other types. The mother can learn the basic techniques and practice massage regularly, adhering to the basic rules:

massage can be performed on a child from three weeks of age;
massage should be prescribed by a pediatrician, unless the child is absolutely healthy;
the massage course should last from 7 to 10 days;
it is necessary to take weekly breaks between courses;
the duration of massaging should not exceed 60 minutes.

These are the basic requirements that should be adhered to, but there may be individual additions, features. The mother can combine courses of professional rehabilitation massage with massage performed at home. For many parents, massage is associated with a set of strokes on the baby's body, tapping and squeezing. More than 20 techniques for performing this wellness procedure, the main of which are:

wellness restorative;
at home;
using paraffin;
using electrophoresis.

Is it possible to carry out the procedure at home

If we are talking about children over one year old, massage for a child at home can provide:

To kid preschool age - improving concentration, sleep, reducing nervous tension, improving reflexes.
For a child of primary school age - prevention of scoliosis, improvement of memory, concentration, increase in school performance, activity.

Massage for children: video tutorials will help young parents choose the method suitable for them and their baby. It is worth drawing the attention of parents separately to the indisputable advantage of home massage as a preventive measure in the fight against scoliosis. Many parents mistakenly think that the development of scoliosis is possible only during the period when a child is mastering school literacy. This disease has no age limit.

Due to the reduced motor activity children and the lack of active activities, many of them face scoliosis at an early age. The worst thing is that the disease is diagnosed only with the development of the second stage. Its origin can be traced only on x-rays.

But if parents on a mandatory basis regularly perform a general strengthening procedure with a child at home, then the likelihood of developing the disease is minimal. What is needed for the procedure:

well-ventilated, well-lit room;
massage oil;
several dry diapers for babies up to a year;
solid, even surface;
pleasant music;
toys to distract the baby;
good mood.

Procedure for children under one year old

It is worth dwelling separately on this type of procedure as massage for children under one year old. Babies develop very actively and completely individually. Every mom wants to improve the living conditions of her child, to make him happy and healthy. Massage for a 1 month old baby is a procedure that can lay the foundation for good health and an active lifestyle for a baby. Today, many pediatricians recommend doing this procedure from the age of three weeks. First, you should seek the advice of an experienced doctor who will show the basic movements on the child. Mothers at this age should not massage the baby's neck, it is not yet fully formed and may be damaged.

The whole complex at the age of one month is aimed at reducing the active tone of the muscles of the child. It can be light patting, gentle stroking, since the baby's skin is still tender and requires special care... It is very important to carry out the procedure in the form of a game so as not to frighten the child and discourage him from performing the sessions. Do not continue the procedure for more than 15 minutes. It is tiresome for both the baby and the mother. Relatives can help her. It is worth considering the uniqueness of the character of the kids. For those who are active in the evening, it should be performed in the morning and not on a full stomach, for those who are sluggish in the afternoon, massage should be done in the evening.

Massage for a 2-month-old baby has its own specifics. At this age, it is quite possible to use a special exercise ball. It is sold both in medical stores and in open retail outlets. The specificity of this kind of exercises lies in the fact that they are carried out in the form of a game, which brings the child, parents closer together, does not bring discomfort to the baby. Doctors recommend performing exercises on the ball from the moment when the baby begins to hold his head on his own.

Many children at this age start having intestinal problems, so it is worth using tummy stroking with a warm diaper:

They strip naked in a ventilated area, but the temperature should not be lower than 22 ° C.
Spread on the back on a flat hard surface covered with a diaper.
With gentle, lightly pressing movements with a full palm, they massage the baby's stomach clockwise, the mother can hum a song, lisp.
It is worth kneading the arms and legs, at this time you can put a warm diaper on your tummy.
You can move on to swinging on your stomach on the ball, this will release the accumulated gases from the baby's intestines.

At this age, special attention should be paid to the prevention of dysplasia. To do this, each time you change the diaper, spread the baby's legs to the sides, pressing the knees to the surface at least 10 times. If the legs are tightly divorced, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and advice.

Massage for a 3-month-old baby is the best for babies under one year old. The baby already holds his head well and rejoices at the approach of his mother. At this time, fine motor skills are laid, so it is worth paying special attention to the palms and feet of the baby. At this age, if a child has developmental disabilities, he is prescribed a special complex, which is good to supplement with home massage. Toddlers love to roll onto the barrel, they can be helped with this by performing appropriate exercises on the ball. In general, the massage procedure is no different from the one that is performed at 2 months. You can connect yoga elements for toddlers. These are special exercises that stretch the muscles of the child. They allow you to stimulate his flexibility and mobility.

Children's massage reviews can also be negative if mothers violate the basic rules for its implementation:

high room temperature;
the child is hungry or has recently eaten;
a nervous atmosphere in the house;
is ill.

Massage to a child of 4 months - at this age, many mothers try to sit down their children. This is a big mistake, the baby must sit down himself. In order to help the muscles of his back to get stronger, you can also connect pull-ups by the handles from a sitting position to the main complex. They must be performed smoothly and gradually without sudden jerks, this will protect the child from injuries. Exercises such as crossing legs and a wheel are very useful at this age, they will prepare him for crawling. It is very useful to perform various massage movements, outdoor games while swimming in the bath. At this age, the child's body has already become stronger, and you can play with the baby in the water. For those children who refuse to lie on the massage table, this is the most the best way.

Massage for a baby 8 months : the best procedure for such children is a massage in the form of a game. This can be swinging on the ball, twisting the legs and arms, walking by the arms on an uneven surface, kneading the palms, fingers, and feet. At this age, orthopedists recommend various health complexes for children, since many babies develop muscle tone or physical inactivity. Depending on this, a set of exercises should be built.

If the child is diagnosed with flat feet or valgus of the feet, then it is worth paying special attention to the massage of the legs:

It is necessary to purchase a special orthopedic mat and guide the baby on it.
We must teach him to grip, grip objects with his toes.
You need to massage the calf muscles daily.

Any mother wants her baby to grow up beautiful and healthy. But not all babies are born that way. The task of parents is to provide a full-fledged childhood for their baby. This can be helped by massage, both classical, performed at home, and special, performed by a specially trained doctor. Today, many children are prescribed courses of health-improving physical therapy, the basis of which is massage. But without the care of loved ones and relatives, he will not get better.

For healthy children, massage is the prevention of flat feet, clubfoot, scoliosis.

Spine health is the key to healthy formation and development of the whole organism. It is useful at any age and always brings positive therapeutic results. The most important thing is the friendly and calm atmosphere in the house. The child should like the procedure, then the recovery will go faster, and the prevention of many diseases will be more effective, because thanks to it the child will grow up strong and healthy.

Baby massage - a necessity or a pleasure was last modified: April 27th, 2016 by MaksimB

All newborn babies come into this world with bent arms and legs and tightly clenched fists. The movements of the infant's limbs are irregular. This phenomenon is completely normal and is called "physiological tone". The task of parents is to eliminate this tone and help their baby to comprehend the science of conscious movements. Massage will help you with this.

Massage types

Depending on the goal pursued, massage is divided into the following types:

medical;
prophylactic;
therapeutic and prophylactic.

Massage therapy should be performed by a specialist. It can be prescribed for the following diseases identified in the baby:

hypertonicity or hypotension;
dysplasia of the hip joint;
congenital joint dislocation;
acquired or congenital clubfoot;
umbilical hernia;
diseases of the central nervous system;
flat feet;
deformity of the legs (X- or O-shaped).

For each disease, its own special massage techniques are used, which, as a rule, differ from each other.

Preventive massage recommended for all newborns, if there are no contraindications. Sessions of this massage can improve blood circulation and appetite, normalize metabolism, and normalize breathing. In children with increased excitability, behavior is stabilized and sleep is normalized. It turns out that massage can reduce the content of the hormone cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone, with its increased content, the body's immune defenses are destroyed. Consequently, under the influence of massage, the child's immunity also improves.

Since preventive massage is carried out in most cases by the parents themselves, its sessions are an additional way of contact between the baby and mom or dad. Undoubtedly, this will improve the psychological state of the baby.

Therapeutic and prophylactic massage , as well as therapeutic, is prescribed by a doctor and is carried out by specialists. It involves massaging the entire body with special attention to problem areas. This type of massage is able to normalize blood circulation, improve the work of the cardiovascular system, correct the defective state of bones and muscles, and eliminate intestinal colic. It is also recommended for diseases of the respiratory, genitourinary and digestive systems. Therapeutic and prophylactic massage has a beneficial effect on the baby's motor abilities. The child will quickly learn to roll over, sit down and crawl.

Benefits / pros of massage

There are many receptors on our skin that send signals to the brain when irritated. This is how the work and development of the entire human nervous system is stimulated, and massage here occupies a leading position. After all, it is during a massage session that most of the nerve receptors are irritated.

When massaging the body, blood circulation improves, and this has a positive effect on the state of any internal organ. That is why preventive massage sessions are recommended for all babies in their first year of life.

For infants, massage replaces gymnastics. In addition, hearing and visual abilities are not yet sufficiently developed in newborns, the whole world is felt through touch. Therefore, it is massage that develops emotional condition baby and the ability to perceive the world around.

Pediatricians consider massage to be a reliable means of prevention various diseases, since the coordinated work of all organs depends on it.

We have already mentioned the beneficial effect of massage procedures on the immune system of the newborn. So, as a result of this influence, the child will less often "catch" various infections and colds.

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Massage sessions are beneficial for the digestive system, eliminating intestinal colic and constipation in children. They also have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system, helping to form the correct posture and, if necessary, restore physical shape.

When do you need a massage

Massage for newborns is usually prescribed for the following diseases:

hypotrophy;
hallux valgus and flat hallux valgus;
tremors of various parts of the body;
lesions of the central nervous system;
umbilical hernia;
dysplasia of the hip joints;
clubfoot, flat feet, deformity of the legs;
scoliosis;
deformation of the chest.

The course of massage can also be prescribed as part of the therapy of bronchial asthma, pneumonia, fractures of the extremities, etc. It is also indicated with increased tone of the extremities and constipation.

However, if the baby did not have any special indications for massage, they can and should be practiced on their own at home. Naturally observing the necessary conditions, and, after consulting a pediatrician.

Contraindications

Any type of massage will not be of any benefit if the baby elevated temperature body. It is contraindicated for various injuries or diseases of the skin (especially of a pustular nature), increased fragility of bones, diseases of the circulatory system, ARVI.
It is advisable to give up massage procedures in the midst of the acute stage of any disease.
In the presence of umbilical hernia massage should be carried out under the close supervision of a doctor, since in this case it is necessary to exclude the possibility of pinching the hernia.
In children with a heart defect, massage sessions should be monitored by a pediatric cardiologist.
It is not recommended to massage and with increased nervousness of the baby, as this condition causes increased muscle tone.

In any case, the massage course should be prescribed by a doctor, "amateur performance" is unacceptable.

Basic Rules

You can start doing massage no earlier than the baby "knocks" 20 days old. In children under the age of 3 months, you cannot massage the fontanel area and under the knees, elbow bend, armpits, inner thighs. Pressing and shock movements, patting are also contraindicated, so you will only cause excessive irritation of the receptors and increased nervous excitability of the baby.

The temperature in the room should be between 18 and 23 degrees. The most important thing is the temperature regime in the room. Do not forget that the baby will be completely naked for some time and may freeze. There is no need to reassure yourself that during the massage the body warms up. This axiom applies to an adult. For crumbs, massaging movements are more stroking than power ones, and therefore the warming effect is practically zero. The onset of hiccups and the temperature of the baby's nose can tell you that the baby is cold. We read articles about, and it is useful to read the article on the hardening procedure, namely.
For the massage, you should prepare a changing table or any flat surface. Cover with a thin blanket, oilcloth or diaper. The surface should be wide enough so that you can roll your baby over without hindrance.
It is advisable to equip the place for the massage in advance with everything you need. Consider what may come in handy and ensure that these tools are within easy reach. You should not be distracted and leave the crumb, even mobile phone put next. It is also advisable to spread an absorbent, reusable diaper, because the baby still cannot control the urination process.
Particular attention should be paid to your hands. Long nails undesirable not only for massage, they are superfluous and. The beauty of hands and a good manicure are possible with short nails, so cut them off while the baby is at a tender age. It is also recommended that you remove all jewelry from your hands. You do not need an extra possibility of injury.
Know how to choose the right time for the procedure. After all, you can roughly calculate when the child asks for food and sleep. Massage is best done one and a half to two hours after feeding. Even with a little discomfort on the part of the baby, the process will not give positive results.
During the massage, do not be silent, talk to your child. Any children's songs and nursery rhymes will be useful. Such simultaneous activities not only set the baby up for a positive, but also develop his listening and speaking abilities.
The gradual complication of exercises and an increase in the time of massage procedures.
Direction of massage movements: strictly from bottom to top, from the periphery to the center.
Movements should be careful and not cause discomfort to the baby.
The duration of one session is 15-20 minutes.

Step by step technique

Let us remind you right away that there should be no power movements when performing a massage for a newborn. Only light stroking movements.

We always start with the little handles. We massage each finger separately, open our fists and pay attention to our palms. We smoothly move on to the wrist massage and gradually rise higher. Do not touch the armpits.
Smoothly moving on to the legs. First, we massage the foot, not forgetting to pay attention to each finger. Next, we perform light massaging movements in the direction from the foot to the groin. Be careful with the knees, there should be no effect on the joints. We don't touch the area under the knees at all.

Important! During the massage procedure, the arms and legs of the newborn should be in a bent state!

Gradually move on to the tummy and stroke it clockwise from the navel. Next, we close our hands on the midline of the tummy and begin to make sliding movements: one hand moves up, and the other down. At the same time, we try to avoid exposure to the genitals.
We begin to massage the baby's chest in the direction from the sternum to the shoulders, then from the sternum to the sides. Breast glands go around.
Turn the baby over on its stomach and gently massage the neck. In those moments when the baby is trying to raise or turn his head, it is recommended to stop all movements.
Next, we begin to massage the back. There are two directions of movement - from the waist to the shoulders, then from the spine to the sides. The spine itself is not massaged. Stroke the ass in the direction from the lateral surface of the thighs to the coccyx area.
We spread the crumb on the left side and carefully run our hand along the paravertebral lines in the direction from the sacrum to the head. In this case, the child should bend slightly forward. We do no more than three movements and repeat the same in the position on the right side.
We put the child in its original position and massage the head, avoiding the fontanel area (probably it’s not worth explaining why). Do not forget about the ears. We also devote a little time and affection to them.

We finish the massage with stroking movements all over the body.

Massage for babies from 1 to 3 months in pictures

Mastering all these "wisdom" is not as difficult as it seems at first. We hope that with our help you will become a professional massage therapist for your baby.

Exercises for month old baby are selected taking into account his general condition, as well as individual characteristics.

Basic massage techniques according to V.I.Vasichkin

Stroking - manipulation, in which the masseur, without moving the skin into folds, slides over the child's skin with varying degrees of pressure;
Trituration - a technique in which the masseur's hand makes a shift, stretching of the underlying tissues;
Kneading - a technique in which the massaging hand performs three stages: fixation, squeezing or squeezing, rolling. This technique is rarely used in children's massage, preferably by a specialist.
Vibration- manipulation, in which the massage therapist transfers various vibrational movements to the child. At the age of one month, this is usually a pat.

Complex

With our fingers, stroke the face of the crumbs from the middle of the forehead to the temples, and then to the cheeks. If after the whole process the baby lies relaxed and calm, then turn him over on his tummy and stroke the back with long movements, smoothly, from head to feet. If you notice that the baby is fidgeting, he doesn't like something and does not relax, do not continue to massage, it is better to stop. Perhaps the baby is worried about something.

Massage for a child in the first month is a necessary means of regulating the work of the flexor and extensor muscles, the activity of the nervous system and the general harmonious development of a newborn baby.

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Massage - good remedy to stabilize the psychomotor and speech development... Maternal hands are an excellent tool for calming the baby, at the same time you will help him cope with the tone. From the article you will learn how to properly do a general strengthening massage for a baby.

How to massage a child correctly

When the baby is born, he cannot control his muscles. after 9 months of being in the stomach, the mother can persist up to 3 months. To cope with it, the neurologist prescribes a course of massage. Of course, the hands of a specialist work wonders, but mother's touch can play a big role in the development of a small miracle.

Firming massage is prescribed for:

improve digestion and helps
long and restful sleep;
normalization of the nervous system;
development of coordination of movements;

The first half of the day is the best time for a massage. But keep in mind that the procedure cannot be done on a full stomach. After feeding, at least 1 hour must pass, otherwise vomiting can be caused. You can start massage after 3 weeks of age. Only after this period the baby's skin adapts to new life conditions.

The optimum temperature for massage is 23-26 ° C. Do not perform the procedure in a cool or very hot environment.

Before starting the massage, remove the rings, trim your nails and warm your hands. Then brush them with oil or baby cream. Use a hypoallergenic oil to prevent breakouts on your baby's skin.

Your hand movements should be light, because the baby's skin is still very delicate.

It is better to start the massage with the legs, moving up the body. Pay more attention to your fingertips and the Achilles tendon.

Avoid massaging the lower leg, as the muscles in this area are not yet formed and you can harm your baby. It is also worth going around the chest and inner thighs.

How to massage an infant

Before starting the procedures, let's make a reservation right away - the movements should be stroking, soft. There should be no rough rubbing or claps.

Detailed instructions for massage of an infant:

Start the massage with your feet. Massage your foot, toes, heel. Then move up the leg. Avoid the joints, knees and inner thighs.
Gradually move on to the tummy. All movements must be carried out strictly clockwise. This will relieve the crumbs of gas vehicles and facilitate the release from them.
The baby's chest is massaged towards the collarbone, then towards the ribs. Avoid the breast area.
Move on to the handles. Pay special attention to your fingers. Work them individually, then work on the palm. This procedure helps to relieve the tone of the hands and has a beneficial effect on the baby's nervous system.
Turn the baby over onto its tummy and massage the neck. If the child raises his head, then at this moment it is necessary to stop moving. Go to the back.
Movements should start from the lower back to the shoulders, then from the vertebrae to the ribs. It is not recommended to touch the spine itself. Massage your ass from the outer thigh to the tailbone.
The final stage is a head massage. Light stroking movements of the hairline stimulate blood circulation, so the duration of the procedure should not exceed 1 minute. We do not disregard the ears. There are many points on them that are associated with the body.

Only massage when good mood child. If you notice tearfulness or fidgeting of the baby, then you should not torment him. Postpone the procedure for a while.

If your baby cries every time you massage, see a neurologist. He will accurately determine why your baby does not like this activity and will give appropriate recommendations.

How children are given a massage: video

Watch the following three video tutorials. They will help you navigate the correct movements.

The most important thing in the life of every parent is the health of their children. Much depends on the parents themselves: how responsibly parents will approach the issue of the child's health, their future life and well-being will depend. According to many experts, the first year of life is very important. This time is significant - what the parents put into the child at this stage of life, so he will move along the entire path of life.

Regular activities with a child, regardless of whether he is healthy or with any deviations, will only benefit the baby. Massage for children under one year old is included in the regular classes and is quite important.

With the help of a properly performed massage, the baby will be ahead of his peers in development, as well as have good health. There have been cases in which children with rather serious illnesses miraculously recovered. Do not waste precious time, massage children under 1 year old right now.

The healing properties of baby massage

Massage for children under 1 year old should be divided into three groups:

prophylactic;
corrective;

Through preventive massage, you can fully tune the child's body for the correct development of the body. Preventive procedures can be performed independently, or by contacting a specialist for help. It is recommended to start performing procedures at the age of 1.5 - 2 months. In any case, a consultation with a pediatrician is necessary before performing.

As for therapeutic and corrective massage, only a doctor prescribes it. Depending on what deviations were identified in the child, appropriate receptions are prescribed. Do not be shy at the doctor's appointment, ask all your questions and everything that worries you, as well as your child. From how accurate and detailed your story is, the diagnosis will be made faster and more accurately. If at some point you have ceased to trust your doctor, contact another specialist. The life and health of the child is not worth risking.

In the first year of life, a child may develop the following problems: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, various therapeutic diseases, diseases of the central nervous system, as well as problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Remember, consultation with a specialist in this field is required.

Basic rules for conducting

If you decide to carry out the procedure yourself, you should pay attention to several important and basic rules.

The child should be in a good mood and not be capricious. If the child's mood has deteriorated, reschedule the procedure next time.
Remember, it is best to massage an hour before and 40 minutes after a feed.
You also need to be in a good mood, be affectionate and kind to the child.
Make sure your hands are clean, without unnecessary decorations, without long nails.
If there is no need to use a cream or oil, do not use them so as not to cause allergies.
The room in which the massage is carried out must be ventilated and well lit.
The place for massage should be on a firm surface.
All movements should be smooth, gentle and accurate. No sudden movements.
Massage before bed is not recommended.

In addition to all the wellness moments, during the massage, the baby should enjoy positive emotions.

Technique of fortifying baby massage up to a year

Before starting to perform, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic technique of performing techniques. Make sure that the first sessions last no more than 5 minutes. Over time, you can increase the time, reaching 15 minutes. But still, each baby is individual, and if he began to be capricious, it is worth abandoning the session.

Four basic techniques are performed: stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration.

All exercises performed should be smooth, gentle and soft. No sudden movements.

The main rule is that all movements should be performed towards the center, i.e. from elbow to shoulder, from heels to knee.

Four basic techniques are performed: stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration. About each in more detail.

Stroking

This technique can be used literally from the first days of a baby's life. Warm and gentle touches have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. In the first three months, exclusively stroking is used. In the future, with this type of technique, you can finish subsequent techniques and apply it between kneading and vibration. Gentle stroking serves as a kind of preparatory process for further manipulations.

Trituration

This technique is recommended for use when the baby is 3 months old. Rubbing is performed with more intense, but gentle movements. Reception is performed precisely by rubbing, and not stretching. Rubbing is done with thumb, or the base of the palm.

Kneading

The kneading technique is performed with vigorous, but gentle movements. Remember that baby's skin is very sensitive and delicate. Through this technique, the muscles of the child are affected. The first sessions will be unpleasant for the baby. You can distract your child with a bright toy, talk to him. Later, he will get used to massage sessions. It is worth starting with a few minutes, gradually increasing the time. Reception is performed using the fingertips, gently pinching the skin.

Vibration

Vibration reception is performed using the pads of the fingers and the ribs of the palm. Soft tapping and tapping are performed. Strong pressure is prohibited. As a rule, the vibration technique is used to massage the back and chest.

Basic techniques of baby massage for up to a year

The child develops gradually. The preparatory process for certain periods is of great importance. With the help of massage for a certain age, you can perfectly prepare the baby's muscles for the upcoming stress. That is why, we advise you to use a certain technique suitable for a certain age of the baby.

Baby massage for up to a year will perfectly prepare the baby's muscles for the upcoming stress.

Massage for 1-3 month old baby

Massage for a 1 month old baby is practically the same as for a 2 month old baby. Massage for a 3 month old baby is aimed at adapting the baby to the world around him as much as possible. At this age, stroking is used.

It's worth starting with the hands. First, we put the child on his back and begin to perform stroking movements. Movements are performed strictly from hand to elbow, from elbow to shoulder.
We pass to the legs. The child still lies on his back. The massage is performed on the entire thigh, excluding the knee and the front of the lower leg. Foot massage is performed with the thumb, in a circular motion.
The breast massage is performed from the middle to the sides, gradually going down to the abdomen. Here, circular movements are performed in a clockwise direction. They are also helpful and effective for abdominal pain.
Then you can move on to a back massage. To do this, stroke from the bottom up, alternately changing your palm and back side arms. Five repetitions for each technique should be sufficient.

Massage for 4 month old baby

As a rule, at this age, the baby should keep his head well, lying on his stomach. in the form of rubbing will be an excellent preparatory basis for the muscles. Remember to start and end each procedure with stroking.

We also start with the hands. To do this, you need to grasp the child's wrist with your thumb and middle fingers and move towards the elbow, and from the elbow to the shoulder. Movements should be smooth and twisting. First, massage one hand in this way, then the other and proceed to massage the legs in the same way.
Massage the feet in a circular motion using the thumb from the heel to the toes. You can add light taps to the main technique.
The breast massage is performed very gently and energetically. You need to move from the middle of the chest to the edge. In no case should you press. "Draw" the circles clockwise.
Rubbing the back and buttocks is performed using the pads of the bent fingers. The arms should alternately move, moving the skin up and down.

Massage for a child 5-6 months

As a rule, at this age, babies turn over on their tummy. Therefore, the muscles of the abdomen and back must be well prepared. Kneading is added to the main techniques. This means that all exercises are performed according to the plan, only after rubbing is kneading added.

Massage techniques for a 4 month old baby are the same for a 6 month old.

Leg massage is performed using kneading. Remember, all exercises are gentle, neat and gentle.
complemented by new techniques - pinching around the navel. With this technique, you can well strengthen the abdominal muscles. The child will get great pleasure from this.
and the buttocks are also added with a new technique - sawing. Sawing is done with the edge of the palm, moving up and down. Finish the massage with light stroking.

Massage for a child 6-12 months

The massage for a 6 month old baby is performed using the same techniques as for a 4 month old baby. With age, you can increase the time of the massage. It is better to start performing massage from the very birth of the baby, having previously consulted with your doctor. you can start at this age and.

Contraindications

Before starting the procedure, be sure to consult your pediatrician. If your doctor has identified any of the following conditions, you cannot perform the procedure.

Acute febrile diseases;
Inflammatory lesions of the skin;
Diseases accompanying bone soreness;
Acute forms of arthritis, nephritis;
Congenital heart disease;
Prolapse of the abdominal organs;

Video instruction lesson

You can learn more about massage by watching the video presented.

With the help of massage for up to a year, you can save your child from many diseases. But, do not forget about the obligatory consultation with a doctor. Your child's health is in your hands.

Can parents help stimulate physical development your baby before he is one year old? Of course yes. And massage will help them in this. For the child, the movements performed by the mother will be an excellent factor in normalizing muscle tone, preparing for independent sitting, and in the future - for crawling and walking. But this is far from all the benefits of such a procedure. Massage for infants allows you to establish tactile contact between the baby and the mother, which cannot be done in any other way at an early age.

Benefit

Massage for a child can be therapeutic or prophylactic. The first of these two types is only trusted by a specialist. Preventive massage may well be mastered by parents. They can conduct similar procedures every day, without leaving home, which will strengthen the baby's muscles.

Before performing a massage for a child, you will need to obtain permission from a pediatrician. He will also show parents the basic movements that should be used when carrying out manipulations.

How is massage at home useful for children? Conducting preventive sessions will help the baby to improve metabolic processes in the body and blood circulation in the tissues. The movements performed stimulate receptors located on the surface of the skin. Such an effect has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system and the brain. After such a massage, babies behave more calmly and sleep better.

Home sessions conducted by mom or dad have a positive effect on the child's immunity. After the baby becomes older, gymnastic elements will be added to the stroking. This will allow daily sessions to have a beneficial effect on all systems of the growing body.

A massage is needed for the child and to strengthen his cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system. Performing daily routines will help eliminate colic as well as stool problems.

Contraindications

In what cases is massage not performed for children under one year old? Even if the district pediatrician has allowed parents to do relaxing procedures for their baby, there is no need to rush. After all, there is a certain list of temporary contraindications, the presence of which requires a delay in the manipulation. So, you can not massage children under one year old if:

the baby is not yet 20 days old;
the baby suffers from indigestion, which is expressed in vomiting or loose stools;
the doctor diagnosed an infectious disease, for the elimination of which the body of the newborn gives all its strength;
rashes, prickly rash or diaper rash are observed on the baby's skin;
temperature rise due to teething, reaction to vaccination, overheating or colds;
the baby is naughty.

Rules of conduct

Every mother should know that massage for a child:

It is carried out in a pre-ventilated room. The procedure is recommended for carrying out no earlier than 45 minutes after a meal. It would be great if such classes were organized before lunch. After all, at this time of day, the baby has more energy and strength.
It is carried out on a firm, level surface. At home, a dining or changing table is perfect for this. Pediatricians recommend undressing the child completely. Nubs will benefit not only from massage, but also from hardening. Mom's hands must be clean. Before carrying out manipulations, they should be heated by dipping them into warm water or rubbing their palms against each other. It is important to pay attention to rings and manicures that can damage or scratch the baby's skin. It is recommended to use baby oil or cream for massage.
Should have a duration that depends on the small patient. The very first lesson should last no more than 5 minutes, and even then if the baby does not express his displeasure. And only gradually should new exercises be introduced and the session time increased.
It must be done when everything you need is nearby. Mom first needs to prepare a diaper or a changeable diaper, as well as drinking water in a bottle.
They begin to carry out no earlier than after his stay at home for 20 days.
Perform it for a healthy baby who is in a good mood. If he suddenly burst into tears, then classes should be stopped immediately.

Parents should remember that they should not rush the baby to perform certain movements. Each child develops at a different pace. And if he does not have any deviations, he will definitely sit down, start crawling and walking. The task of the parents is to stimulate the baby and strengthen his muscle corset. But you should not run in front of the locomotive. The haste of parents can lead to disturbances in the formation of the skeleton and bones, as well as to negative consequences for posture.

During class, mom should communicate with her baby, read nursery rhymes for him, hum songs and talk. Toys are recommended for stimulation and distraction. At the same time, it is important to constantly monitor the mood of the baby and his condition.

Massage for children in various age groups has some nuances. Let's consider them in more detail.

Newborn massage

First procedures healthy child begin to do not earlier than at the age of three weeks. Until the baby is 1 month old, its visual and auditory sensors are still immature to respond to incoming external stimuli. As for the skin receptors, they are already fully developed at this age.

Massage the baby for up to a month is necessary to activate the function of the organs of touch. Affectionately touching the skin of the newborn, the mother very often receives a smile in return, and this at such an early age is impossible to come to either with the help of words or gestures.

If the baby is under a month old, the baby needs to be massaged with only one type of touch. They are very gentle stroking of various parts of the body with the fingertips. At this age, the following complex is recommended for the baby:

In order to relax the muscles that are tense during breastfeeding and crying, the mother should touch the baby's head and face. Avoiding the fontanel area, stroke the forehead, then moving to the eyebrows and cheeks, as well as the ears.
To normalize the work of the circulatory system in the region of the heart and lungs, it is necessary to carry out stroking movements, starting from the shoulders, gradually descending to the body.
In order for the baby to stimulate fine motor skills, you will need to stroke fingers and brushes. This is especially shown when the baby's fists are clenched.
Touching the legs and feet. Similar manipulations are recommended for violations of the tone of the limbs.
Stroking the tummy in a clockwise direction will help the gas to escape.
Performing light touches all over the back, from the buttocks to the shoulders. Reflexively similar manipulations cause muscle tension in the baby. Such movements are shown with poorly developed back muscles.

The duration of the massage for a child who has not yet turned one month should be about 2 minutes. Moreover, to perform all these manipulations, it is not necessary to have special medical indications. Mom can make light touches to the baby's skin during his changing.

When the baby was one month old

The baby's body is constantly growing. And for its correct development, mothers are advised not to forget about massage in the future. When it is carried out at the age of one month, the same mechanism is used as for adults. All movements are done to the baby in the direction from the periphery to the center.

When performing manipulations, the legs are slightly bent, moving from the feet to the inguinal glands. The handles are massaged with movements from the hands to the shoulders. Stroking the tummy is performed along the projection of the liver in the direction of the clockwise movement. In this case, the genitals should not be touched.

Massage month old baby should be carried out with light and gentle movements. After all, the weight of babies is less in relation to the surface of the skin than that of adults.

The correct massage for the child allows him to stimulate his extension movements. The manipulations carried out should take into account those protective reflexes that the muscles and skin have. That is why the movements should be active, but at the same time not affecting the flexor muscles.

Massage for a baby at 2 months

Every day of the baby for his parents is the discovery of something new. By the age of 2 months, moms and dads already understand why their child cries when he wants to eat, and what worries him. The child, on the other hand, responds to the caring courtship of the parents with a smile, delighting with the pronunciation of the first sounds. By this period, he had already grown a little stronger, but his arms and legs are not yet in good shape. This makes it necessary to massage the child at 2 months. In this case, it is recommended to perform complex techniques:

Mothers should help the baby to open her palms and spread her fists. To do this, you need to gently stroke his fingers. How else to massage a child? Mom must invest thumbs his hands in the palms of the baby, clasping the rest of his four palms. Further, when lifting the handles up, light vibrations are made.
Movements along the spine will help to strengthen the muscles of the back. At the same time, the child should be on one or the other side.
The development of oblique muscles and the prevention of the development of an umbilical hernia are carried out by circular stroking of the tummy.
For the development of reflex flexion of the baby's feet, they are pressed with their thumbs.

In addition to stroking movements, at the age of 2 months, you can start covering strokes. They perfectly stimulate blood circulation and strengthen muscles.

Period from 3 to 6 months

Massage for children of this age allows you to expand the number of types of movements performed by their handles. At the same time, it is no longer enough for mothers to carry out only stroking manipulations. Massage for a child from 3 months of age is done with the addition of rubbing and kneading. All movements should be accompanied by counting or narration. nursery rhyme... The duration of the procedure should not exceed 30 minutes. After completing the manipulations, the baby should be warmly dressed.

Massage for a child under 6 months old is necessary to tone the legs and arms. The procedure teaches the baby to change body positions (roll over and sit on his own). The movements performed by the mother are designed to teach the child the ability to grasp and hold the toy, which will become possible when the muscles of the arms are attached.

How to massage a child aged 3 to 6 months? All exercises should be based on vibrating movements. To them are added tapping, stroking and kneading. First of all, the muscles of the back are treated, smoothly moving to the arms and legs.

Massage begins with stroking and rubbing. Such movements help to warm up the body in order to move on to other manipulations afterwards.

The procedure is started from the face. Gently and carefully, the mother should make stroking movements from the forehead to the cheekbones, moving to the chin. You can also massage your earlobes. The next step is to spread the baby's arms to the sides, and then cross them on the chest. Next, go to the back. It is stroked with the hands from top to bottom in all areas except the spine. The tummy should be massaged in the clockwise direction. Rocking body movements will help relieve tension in the baby. To do this, it is raised, holding by the armpits, and, holding the head, is shaken from side to side in an upright position.

The importance of the procedure for 6-9 month old babies

The main task of massage at this age is to help in the overall development of the baby, in stimulating blood circulation, in improving the rhythm of movements, in normalizing breathing and strengthening muscles. When the child reaches 6 months of age, the manipulations performed are already significantly different from those that were before this period. After all, the baby already turns over on its own, crawls on its tummy, sits and even stands on its feet.

In addition to performing a certain set of exercises, parents should not forget to voice all actions in the form of requests to "sit down", "turn around", etc.

A set of exercises for the age of six months to 9 months

performing passive kneading of the hands while bending them at the elbows (while the child should lie on the back);
kneading feet and legs in the form of strokes, as well as light squeezes;
active bending of the baby's arms;
performing exercises for alternating flexion of the legs and arms;
turning the head to the sides, as well as changing body positions.

After the completion of active procedures, a child of 6-9 months is recommended to have a relaxing massage.

This will calm the baby's nervous system and normalize his psycho-emotional background. To do this, the mother should perform light stroking movements in the area of \u200b\u200bthe tummy and back, lower back and neck. Wave-like manipulations of the hands are carried out along the child's body. Vibrating touch is carried out with the fingers on the collarbone, shoulder girdle and spine of the child. At the end of the relaxing massage, the shoulders of the crumbs are pulled back, bringing his shoulder blades together. You can also massage your toes and arms.

Preparing to walk

Classes for babies 9-12 months old need to be complicated with a variety of active exercises. When conducting passive massage for children, mothers should include all those techniques that were carried out before this period. The only differences are that stroking and rubbing, patting and kneading are performed more intensively. At the same time, the sessions become longer.

If the child is in a good mood and healthy, then the duration of the massage for him should be about 40 minutes. Mothers need to repeat each of the movements 5-6 times. The main direction of the procedures performed at this age lies in the development of motor independence in the baby, which is an excellent preparation for walking for him.