Massage is a procedure that perfectly complements the daily care of an infant. This type of exposure has many advantages and has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the baby's body.
That is why many newly minted mothers and fathers care how old they can massage their babies, and how often they need to be manipulated. In addition, most parents are interested in whether to contact a specialist. Or it is worth carrying out the procedure yourself at home.
What massage can be done to infants?
There are several types of massage, depending on its orientation, namely:
- prophylactic;
- medical;
- therapeutic and prophylactic.
The latter type of exposure is used to improve the body and the overall health of the baby. Therapeutic and prophylactic massage is an effect on the entire body area of an infant. The emphasis is on problem areas.
Treatment procedures are needed if a young child has problems with the digestive, respiratory or genitourinary system.
The benefits of massage
Massage brings undeniable benefits to the baby’s body. It helps the infant correct orthopedic disorders and problems with the nervous system, namely muscle hypertonicity, poor dilution in the hip joint of the legs. In addition, regular sessions are able to fix the problems turned outward and inward feet.
Massage sessions will help the body of a young child get rid of the so-called residual reflexes. Normally, they disappear themselves closer to 4-5 months of the baby's life. But if this did not happen during the indicated period, the baby needs the help of a specialist.
Massage has a positive effect on the lymphatic system of the baby, and on the healthy development of the musculoskeletal system.
How often can I massage my baby?
Parents need to know about the features of massage sessions. One procedure should last no more than forty-five minutes. The minimum massage duration is twenty minutes. The exposure time increases as the baby adapts to the manipulation of a specialist.
Parents need to understand that massage is only useful if the effect is pleasant to the baby. If the child is anxious or anxious during the session, new parents need to take the necessary measures. Otherwise, massage can be harmful.
How often can a massage be given? As a rule, one massage course consists of ten sessions. Although in some cases the visible result can be obtained somewhat later, after 12-13 sessions. To ensure that the effects are most effective, doctors strongly recommend combining the session with gymnastics and hardening.
In addition, parents care about how long they can massage the baby again. In the absence of contraindications, the course is carried out once every three months. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a denser treatment or prophylaxis regimen. In this case, the break between courses is one month.
When can I start a massage?
Many parents are interested in how old and how often you can massage the baby. The first sessions begin to be done already in the third week after the birth of the baby. It is worth considering that during this period only light strokes are allowed. Other types of exposure are strictly prohibited.
When the child turns three months old, you can enter other types of massage: rubbing, kneading and patting. If necessary, the help of the above manipulations can be resorted to when the child reaches two months of age.
Basic rules and features
You need to know about the nuances that must be observed during a massage session.
- The temperature in the room should be from 18 to 22 degrees. If you deviate from the accepted norm, you must either ventilate the room, or, conversely, heat the cabinet or room.
- For massage, it is best to use a special couch. If there is none, manipulations should be carried out on a perfectly flat surface, the dimensions of which do not impede the movements and upheavals of the baby. It should be covered with a bike blanket, diaper or oilcloth.
- All necessary tools should be at hand. This will help not to be distracted from the session.
- It is strictly forbidden to massage with a long manicure or protruding jewelry on the nails. During the procedure, all jewelry with hands (rings, bracelets, watches) must be removed so as not to injure a small child.
- It is necessary to choose the right time for the massage. The kid should be in a good mood, cheerful and cheerful. It is best to do the procedure after one hour after feeding.
- During the massage, you need to maintain a dialogue with the baby so that his mood remains upbeat.
Contraindications to the massage are various diseases of the blood and cardiovascular system, SARS. It is worth postponing the session at elevated body temperature of the crumbs, as well as at increased fragility of bones. It is necessary to refuse massage if the skin of a small child is affected by abscesses or boils. If the baby has a heart defect, before carrying out the course, it is imperative to consult with a cardiologist.
Subject to the above conditions, massage will bring the baby exceptional benefits and will contribute to the better development of his body.
Should I contact a professional massage therapist
At home, you can carry out preventive massage, which will include stroking movements. Pediatricians argue that such an effect is quite enough to prevent the appearance of various diseases and pathologies, and to contribute to the proper development of the child's body.
In all other cases, when a small child needs a therapeutic or therapeutic massage, doctors strongly recommend that you consult a specialist so as not to harm the body of the crumbs, but bring him exceptional benefit.
Instead of a conclusion
Specialists recommend regular massage even to absolutely healthy babies. This type of exposure has many undeniable advantages and is capable, under certain conditions, to bring the baby's body exceptional benefits. That is why newly minted parents are interested in how often you can massage a nursing baby.
In some cases, sessions may well replace drugs. This type of effect on the children's body affects not only the physical development of the child, but also its neuropsychological status.
If necessary, sessions can be carried out already from the second week of the baby's life. But at this age you need to limit yourself to light strokes. It is best to refuse other types of manipulations. Already from two months of age, massage can be enriched with new types of exposure.