Benefits and Techniques of Baby Massage
Baby massages are a wonderful way to bond with your little one. Each gentle stroke and a sweet lullaby will help your baby feel nurtured, loved, and more relaxed, which can improve their sleep. This article includes instructions on how to give your child a massage and tips for how you may use the massage in other daily care rituals.
Baby massage might not be as well-known common practice as baby yoga, but it is an important tool in your arsenal to help develop a healthy bond between parent and child. Some research suggests baby massage might even promote healthy growth, although further research is needed.
A baby has been called the most perfect human being. Perfect, however, is relative, and it is up to us all to protect that baby and help it grow into the best individual it can be. Baby massage is an excellent way to bond with your child while also providing some amazing health benefits. This article will teach you all you need to know about using baby massage as a tool in helping you watch your child grow healthy and strong.
Make a bond through baby massage
Baby massage is a powerful way to bond with your baby and bring you two closer. As you give your baby a massage, the touch of your hands will form life-long habits of trust and communication that will establish a loving relationship and create a strong foundation for the rest of his or her life. Your slow, gentle touch will help your baby feel relaxed and loved, which is an important part of infant care as well.
The essential health benefits of baby massage
Infants usually start showing signs of colic around two to four weeks after birth. Colic is characterized as a baby who cries inconsolably and is hard to comfort. 45-50% of all babies have colic, starting anywhere between the age of 2 and 3 weeks. These cries can include hiccups, snuffling, and gas build-up in the tummy. IAIM stated that massaging your infant may relieve these digestive issues by stimulating their nervous system, digestion, circulation, and sense of well-being. It can be used to soothe fussy babies or to promote a good mood before bedtime. Baby massage can also help with constipation by stimulating peristalsis-the regular movements of the intestines that help food along the digestive tract.
Baby massage is the new way to bond with your infant and help him develop physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Using massaging strokes that you can do on your own, you can soothe your baby, enhance his health, encourage his development and strengthen your relationship at the same time. The key is knowing how to massage your baby in a way that will set him up for a lifetime of health benefits.
Baby massage is a way of making physical contact with your infant by stroking, holding, or caressing them. Baby massage is a widely practiced skill in many countries around the world, where it is taught in day-care centers, hospitals, and clinics.
When to start baby massage
It is good to introduce your baby to massage as soon as possible. This can be during the first week after birth, or even before the baby is born. Studies show that touch develops a baby’s brain and increases its ability to form relationships later in life. For these reasons and more, contact time with your baby is so important, including skin-to-skin care and massage.”
Your baby’s first touch is one of the most important in his or her life. Touch is essential for your newborn’s growth and development, and the best place for the first touch is on your chest, skin to skin. After a period of lying still and letting you hold him or her, your baby will begin to move around. As soon as you feel your baby moving, it is time to start massaging.
It is usually best to start massaging your baby later. Many mothers find this massaging helps to settle their babies a lot and is good to do when they are fretful. This works best after the initial few weeks when the baby is getting used to the new environment and has settled down into sleeping patterns.
A baby massage is a series of strokes and movements soothingly applied to an infant. Most babies will enjoy having their hair stroked and gently massaged as well as their hands, feet, and torso. For extremely fussy infants, the baby massage may be used to provide routine comfort and help alleviate stress. The Mayo Clinic also suggests waiting at least 45 minutes after a feeding. Performing a baby massage too soon after they eat can cause vomiting.
How often to perform baby massages?
Massage your little one between his 8th and 12th week to help develop and build muscle tone, strengthen the umbilical cord stump that may fall off completely within two weeks of birth, boost circulation, and promote good sleep. Once you know how to massage your baby, massage in a circular motion with gentle strokes that are always downward toward her toes.
Massaging your baby regularly is a great way to bond with them and help them relax and fall asleep. These routines can last five minutes or up to an hour. Keep in mind your baby’s cues to tell you what is best for your situation.
Techniques for massaging your baby
The first 12 months are a time of rapid change and growth in your baby’s life. Massage can help support her development by promoting physical, emotional, and cognitive wellness. By taking the time to massage your little one – even as little as five minutes a day – you will encourage better alignment, posture, and digestion, as well as reduce stress and boost immunity.
Have you ever heard that babies who are massaged have better sleep, cry less, and are happier? It is true! Here is how to massage your baby so you both enjoy it.
Making a cozy atmosphere is essential
To begin your massage, make sure your baby is undressed and comfortable. Choose a warm, quiet spot where both you and your baby can relax. This can be on their changing table, if available, or on your bed. Hey Baby! Massage Oil provides lasting warmth in a convenient, ready-to-use applicator for those special moments that you are prepared for.
Start with a slow massage
Now that you have brought the baby home from the hospital, you will be eager to touch and see your new addition. However, if this is your first time handling a newborn, know that the body is underdeveloped at birth. To avoid breaking fragile bones, place your baby on their back, and begin by slowly rubbing each body part – arms and legs, hands, and feet. Avoid quick movements.
Massaging your baby’s body will help stimulate the circulation of blood and lymph, which will encourage a healthy immune system. Starting with their head, gently rub from side to side and then up and down in long, straight strokes, using your fingers or the pads of your thumbs. Be sure to avoid their eyes. Move from their head to down their shoulders, arms, hands, and feet. Spend some time rubbing each of their body parts. In this way, you can help your baby sleep better and grow more quickly.
Repeating the message all over again
If your baby enjoys the massage, repeat the movements on their head, moving down toward the feet. Slight variations in pressure and movement can provide your child with a variety of stimulation.
Keep talking with your infant
The next step is to keep talking to your baby. They are going to get overstimulated very quickly because they are on a new and exciting adventure. Tell them their name and the words “relax” or “sleep.” You can also sing or tell them a story about their favorite characters in movies, books, or television shows.
Oil could be an option
Massaging your baby with oil can help loosen the top layer of skin and reduce friction, which can help loosen dry skin and encourage a smoother massage. Oil can also be soothing for a colicky baby or sore muscles in babies over 6 months old.
Before you use the oil on your baby’s skin, first test it by applying a small amount to a patch of his or her skin. Allow a few hours to see if the baby reacts. Some babies are allergic to lavender oil, so if this is the case, then you can substitute another scent for the oil.
A point to remember
As first-time parents, you might be surprised by how different your baby is from all the other babies that you have known, including your nieces, nephews, and neighbor’s kids. Your child will break out in hives, sneeze constantly, and have screaming fits, but do not be discouraged. You will not be able to comfort her with a baby massage at first but keep trying. Baby massages are a wonderful way to bond with your newborn and can reduce her stress levels.
