Baby massage: Good for mom and baby

Everyone knows that massage is an invisible bond between mother and newborn baby. It is considered one of the simple pleasures but extremely good for the baby's health. Many studies have proven that massage can help babies develop and behave better in life.

Many parents consider baby massage time “happy hour,” and it certainly is—it’s good for both mom and baby.

Massage brings many benefits to babies such as: helping babies breathe more regularly and gently, promoting growth stimulation, building a more complete brain for babies, enhancing the development of the nervous system, strengthening the baby's immune system, helping babies relax, not get tired, quickly reducing stomach pain, constipation...

Many studies have shown that massage can help babies develop and behave better in life (Illustration photo)

Prepare

You should note to wash your hands thoroughly before starting the massage, and remove all jewelry that can scratch the baby's skin. Before proceeding, you should carefully check the baby's space, the room must be warm and airtight.

Although massage oil makes your movements easier and smoother, medical experts say that "having massage oil is fine, but not having it is also fine", especially you should not overuse massage oil on your baby's face.

For premature babies and babies under 4 months old, 10 minutes of massage is plenty. Gradually increase to 20 minutes a day as your baby gets older.

Be sure to massage gently but with enough pressure so that your baby doesn't feel like he's being tickled.

Hand and foot massage

Gently rub your baby's arms and legs with your palms, you can massage your baby by rhythmically moving your hands in a milking motion, and rolling your baby's arms and legs between your hands.

Then you can gently pat your fingers on the skin surface of your baby's hands and feet. Massage your baby's little hands by gently stroking from the palm of the baby's hand up to the tips of the fingers. Regular massage will help the blood in your baby's hands and feet to circulate easily, enhance immunity, and fight diseases related to stress in your baby.

(Illustration)

Facial massage

Gently use your index finger to make small circles on your baby's face, starting from the center of the forehead and slowly stroking the sides of the face. From the forehead, move to the cheeks, nose, and chin. Massage the ears by using your index finger and thumb to gently rub the earlobe from the bottom to the top.

Massage the ear by using your index finger and thumb to gently rub the baby's ear from the bottom to the upper ear rim (Illustration)

Baby head massage

For a baby under 4 months, you should absolutely not “touch” the soft spot on the baby’s head (fontanelle). When over 4 months old, the baby begins to actively control his head and neck, you can gently massage by using your index finger to create small circles on the baby’s head.

Massage baby's back in a new position

Place your baby face down on your tummy, making sure he is comfortable. Starting at his shoulders, use your fingers to gently massage him along his spine. You need to do this quickly because he is likely to giggle when you touch these "sad" places on his body.

Baby belly massage

The best time to massage your baby’s tummy is about an hour after he has eaten. You can use your index finger to make circles on your baby’s tummy, centering on his navel.

The best time to massage your baby's belly is about 1 hour after he or she has eaten (Illustration photo)

Or you can use a rowing motion on your baby's belly, your hands close together and perpendicular to your baby's belly then move gently up and down your baby's belly. Medical experts say this method is very effective in quickly relieving colic and improving your baby's digestive system.

According to TTVN - PC