As a rule, massage is associated with the treatment of any disease of the musculoskeletal system and can only be performed in a specialist’s office. When, at the first appointments with the pediatrician, parents hear about the need for massage for their children, some begin to panic. Mothers begin to think that the baby is sick, there is some kind of pathology, but in fact, this is not so. Yes, of course, massage is not only a preventive, but also a therapeutic procedure, but for children in the first three years of life it is prescribed precisely as a preventive measure. So what are the benefits of baby massage, when and how to start it?

Sometimes you can meet quite stubborn adherents of the old school, who are wary of most preventive procedures and give out harmful advice. Often, parents have to refuse massage for their babies, due to a categorical ban from the older generation. The stories told, one more terrible than the other, in which the main danger of massage is supposedly reduced to damage to the internal organs and skeleton of the baby. How not to be scared?

And if you think about it, what should be the massage to damage the internal organs? It's no secret that this is just another myth, a horror story that has no basis, and where it came from is not entirely clear. But impressionable mothers, in pursuit of the safety and health of the crumbs, prefer not to argue with the older generation, and do everything their own way.

So what is baby massage and is it dangerous? Children's massage is not rubbing, pressing or repositioning the spine, it is light stroking, touching the hands in combination with gymnastics, which will positively affect the health and development of the baby.

It is worth remembering that in newborn babies, visual and auditory analyzers cannot yet work perfectly, and it is touch that will be the universal way to stimulate physical development and prevent a large number of diseases. In addition, massage is also communication between mother and child.

Baby massage - when to start?

Children's massage, contrary to the advice and recommendations of the older generation, must begin at 2 - 3 weeks of age. Until 6 weeks of age, it is necessary to make do with light stroking. After all, the baby does not need a complex set of children's massage with raising the limbs, because the physiological curves of the spine have not yet developed, and such exercises can harm the child.

Only with age, having previously discussed the entire range of exercises with a leading pediatrician, can you move on to a more complicated baby massage program, which includes stretching, raising arms and legs, and stroking the skin.

It is recommended to massage in the morning or afternoon, before feeding. But before you begin, you need to prepare, taking into account all the features of children's physiology. Parents should remember that babies under three months of age freeze much faster, so you need to choose the warmest room for a massage. You need to put a warm diaper, pre-heated with an iron, on the changing table or bed, and prepare oil for massage so that the movements are gliding and bring pleasure. Massage time should be about 15 - 20 minutes daily.

Parents should start baby massage with the baby's hands - stroking movements will help to relax. For confident first steps in the future, you need to train your leg muscles. Stroking and light massaging movements of the feet and legs will help strengthen the muscles. It is known that biological points are projected on the foot; if you lightly press on the toes and heels, you can stimulate the functioning of the nervous system.

Abdominal massage will not only stimulate the digestion process, but will also help calm the baby. Stroking movements should begin from the sides, and then stroke the tummy itself clockwise, but you should not press too hard, the touches should be superficial.

To prevent dysplasia, parents can use massage and passive leg exercises. Putting the baby on his back, you need to bend his legs at the knees and press him to his tummy, then let him relax. From 1.5 - 2 months, you can use a ball for baby massage - put the baby on it with his tummy and lightly rock him in different directions. These exercises will help you learn to lean on your hands. It is best if the massage is accompanied by nursery rhymes, especially since many of them are adapted specifically for gymnastics.

Contrary to the arguments of the older generation, for whom the WHO is not the authority (after all, they raised a child, and this is experience, and there is truth behind it!), infant massage is very useful. Massage is the best prevention for a huge number of diseases; sometimes it is used as a therapeutic technique, for example, for disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Scientific and practical research has proven the positive effect of massage in stimulating the nervous system. Therapeutic massage, which is carried out in a specialist’s office, can restore impaired functions or even return lost ones.

Preventive massage will be recommended for all babies, because such sessions can improve blood circulation and appetite. If your baby is overexcited and has trouble falling asleep, a massage will help you calm down and fall asleep faster. Massage is especially useful when breastfeeding; it does not necessarily mean stroking the entire body. Mom can knead the baby’s arms, lightly stroke her palms and fingers, and stroke her head. Such touches are the best communication for a baby who does not yet understand words, but understands intonations and touches.

Massage, which is used by parents at home, combined with elements of gymnastics, has a positive effect on the growth and development of the baby, stimulates the development of motor skills and motor functions. If daily procedures are combined with reading nursery rhymes, or just communication, then this is also a wonderful pastime, mental development of children, expansion of vocabulary and strengthening of the “mother and child” bond.

If there is a need to use complex massage techniques, then you need to consult a specialist. After a detailed description of the technique and answers to the most important questions, parents can do massage at home.

Massage is useful not only for babies under one year old, but also for older children. But the choice of specific recommendations and massage techniques directly depends on the age of the child and on the problem that needs to be solved or prevented.

By giving your baby a massage, you get an invaluable opportunity to develop a close bond between you and your child. A gentle, relaxing massage will calm your baby and help him fall asleep quickly. In addition, these are invaluable minutes that provide moments of communication between you and your family members with the baby. Having learned everything about baby massage, you will be able to pamper your baby and take the best possible care of him.

Recent studies prove that children's massage is very useful and brings a lot of health to the child, helping him develop. A close spiritual connection is created between mother and baby during a massage. After all, the baby learns the world through touch during the first months. By learning the basics of baby massage and consistently massaging your baby's body, you will bring him great joy and care. And your baby will answer you with love.

Choose the right time

By choosing the right time for a massage, you will fully concentrate the baby’s attention on you and get the child in a great mood. It is important to perform such procedures at the same time. It is not recommended to massage before and after eating. The best time for massage is in the morning, when the child is fresh and alert, and in the evening, before going to bed. As a rule, the massage lasts no more than 15-20 minutes. But, if the child likes it, then the time can be increased. By doing a daily massage in accordance with the selected program, you allow the child to be healthy and enjoy your touch.

Attention and comfort

In second place after the right time is comfort. You will do the right thing if you place your baby on a soft towel or sheet. First, you make soft massaging movements on the tummy, arms, neck and face, and then, turning the baby over, massage his back and back of his legs. The temperature in the room should be comfortable for the baby, and the light should be soft and dim. Nothing should distract or irritate the child during such procedures. You can talk to your baby and sing songs to him. You can also put on some nice, relaxing music and enjoy communicating with each other.

It is important to understand the baby and how he reacts to your massage movements. Newborns can comfortably receive massage for a short period of time, while older children enjoy longer massages. Watch the child's reaction and continue the massage as long as he likes it.

Massage your baby with massage oil

Massage oil has many positive aspects during such procedures, as it provides calm and comfortable movements. With this addition, the massage time can be increased, since the mother’s hands, lubricated with massage oil, become soft and the movements are pleasant for the baby. The child likes this, and this plays an important role. It is necessary to select such oil based on natural ingredients. No chemistry! It will be great if a little lavender, vanilla or lemon is added to the oil. Since you are massaging the baby’s entire body, including the face and fingers and toes, and he has the habit of tasting everything in the first months of life, the ingredients must be edible. Massage oil can be purchased ready-made in a store or pharmacy, or you can prepare this composition yourself. But to do this, you must be sure that all components are safe.

When starting the massage, lubricate your hands with a small amount of oil and begin to lightly massage your baby's hands in a circular motion, gradually moving to the chest. Massage your tummy in a circle to the right and left, keeping the movements soft. Next, move on to the legs, and then massage the baby’s back in the same sequence, after turning him over. The whole procedure should take place in a pleasant environment and bring pleasure to both you and the baby.

Veronica Dosanova

Irina Afanasyevna Babikova
About the benefits of baby massage

Every doctor should master the art massage, his hands should be eyes, and a loving heart should give people a feeling of happiness and health!

Hippocrates

Massage- this is a set of techniques by which a dosed reflex and mechanical effect is exerted on human tissues and organs with a therapeutic or prophylactic purpose. Massage has a beneficial effect on the entire body. The saturation of cells with oxygen improves, metabolic processes normalize, lymphatic drainage is stimulated, the elasticity of ligaments and joints increases, and muscle tone returns to normal. And the nervous system also calms down, because we are all pleased when we are stroked on the back.

Wellness massage is one of the elements, which make up the so-called "healthy lifestyle". Feelings after massage- quite another matter. Once you try it, you will understand that things are different. Coming to massage to a competent professional, a person is resting, but in fact the muscles get a load. You work for your health, for your future.

Children's massage unique in its healing properties that have a beneficial effect on the growing body of the child. Even a short session massage useful for the functioning of the vital organs of a small person. At the same time, it is important to know that massage it is especially necessary at the age of 1 to 6 years, because then it contributes not only to general improvement, but also to the acceleration of development. First of all, we are talking about full-fledged physical development and stimulation of mental and motor activity.

In the same time massage has a positive effect on the child’s intellectual activity. This is due to a beneficial effect on the nervous system, which is ultimately inevitably associated with the work of the brain, which functions due to the impulses coming from the receptors.

Regular massage helps prevent various diseases of the skeletal and muscular systems. Not by chance massage used as one of the main therapeutic agents for disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, if we talk about preventive measures, the beneficial effect is all the more obvious.

Currently, most children attend preschool institutions. Pupils stay in kindergartens for quite a long time, and parents pick them up late in the evening. As a result, parents and children have very little time to engage with each other and pay much attention. However, every parent wants their baby to grow up healthy and strong, since there is nothing more valuable in our world than health. Meanwhile, for good health, it is important to develop a child physically, since it is full and comprehensive physical development that will create the foundation for high-quality mental development later.

Important aspects of good physical development are children's massage and gymnastics, which the child is quite capable of doing while spending time in kindergarten. Massage improves digestion, as it helps increase the secretion of digestive hormones. It is this fact that contributes to better growth of the baby. Massage has a beneficial effect on the child's behavior. Children sleep better and are less capricious. They are more sociable and organized. Many kids during massage They quickly calm down and fall asleep.

Teaching the simplest massage tricks happens in the game. Children perform massage, themselves are at the same time a character in a fairy tale, entertainment, travel. Children reinforce the skills of correctly performing basic tasks in the game. self-massage, develop fine muscles of the fingers.

When conducting massage It is recommended to teach children not to press with force on the indicated points, but massage them with soft finger movements, lightly pressing or lightly stroking. Massaging movements should be performed in the direction from the periphery to the center (from hands to shoulder, etc.).

At massage fingers should use the following techniques:

1) stretching each finger and pressing on it;

2) rubbing the fingers of one hand with the fingers of the other, as if putting a ring on each finger.

At We use techniques to massage other parts of the body:

Stroking

Trituration,

Kneading,

Effleurage.

In order to develop children's good habit of doing massage regularly, it should not be tedious for them. Process self-massage It should be fun for children, not cause pain, evoke positive emotions, and its elements and the sequence of their implementation should be easy to remember. Game self-massage serves as a good training for children in imaginative thinking, trains their memory, helps to quickly and easily remember poems and songs, and helps strengthen mental and physical health.

Spot self-massage for children it is performed by pressing the fingertips on the skin and muscles at the locations of energetically active points. This kind massage can serve as a relaxing or stimulating agent, with use together it has a positive effect on the child’s body. Used it is mainly for normalizing nervous processes and most often it is self-massage soles and toes, hands, head and face. We need to teach children not to push when massage with all my might, and press lightly, carefully.

FACE MASSAGE“WASH YOUR NOSE”

"Crane, open!"- with our right hand we make rotational movements, "opening" tap.

“Nose, wash your face!”- rub the wings of the nose with the index fingers of both hands.

“Wash both eyes at once”- We gently move our hands over the eyes.

“Wash your ears!”- rub your ears with your palms.

“Wash yourself, neck!”- with gentle movements we stroke the front of the neck.

“Neck, wash yourself thoroughly!”- stroke the back of the neck, from the base of the skull to the chest.

“Wash, wash, shower yourself! – Gently stroke the cheeks.

“Dirt, wash away! Dirt, wash away!”- three palms touching each other.

HAND MASSAGE

Intense pressure on the fingertips stimulates blood flow to the hands. This promotes psycho-emotional stability and physical health, increases the functional activity of the brain, and tones the entire body.

We chop and chop cabbage

(cutting movements with the edges of the palms)

We are three carrots, three

(rubbing motion with knuckles)

We salt the cabbage, salt it

(spot touches with fingers)

We press cabbage, we press

(squeezing muscles with fingers)

We drink cabbage juice, we drink

(stroking movements with palms

Swallow, quail (Russian game)

The child's right palm rests on the adult's left palm. Slowly, quietly and affectionately adult pronounces: swallow - and at the same time he runs the fingers of his right hand along the baby’s thumb from base to tip. Then, with the same word, he strokes the baby’s second finger. Having fingered several of the child’s fingers in this way, the adult, without changing intonation, pronounces simultaneously with stroking: "Quail." The child’s task is to withdraw his hand as quickly as possible, since on the last syllable of this word the adult will grab him by the tip of his finger and begin to shake him, joyfully sentencing: "Caught, caught!" After the “quail” “was caught” or “flew away,” the game continues with the baby’s other hand. Having mastered the game, the child himself often suggests changing roles and happily catches the “quail” - the adult’s finger.

ABDOMINAL MASSAGE

Lying on your back:

The child strokes his belly clockwise. He pats with the edge of his palm, with his fist, strokes again, pinches and strokes again.

Target: improve bowel function.

On the left side, he presses several times more deeply with his fingers, as if using a stick to check the readiness of the dough.

Target: impact on the sieve and normalization of stool.

FOOT MASSAGE

Child in lotus position

Pulling the foot of his left foot towards him, the child kneads his toes, strokes between the toes, spreads his toes; presses hard on the heel, rubs the foot, pinches, pats the toes, heel, convex part of the foot; makes rotational movements with the foot, stretches the toe and heel forward, then pats the entire foot with the palm of the hand. Likewise with the other leg.

Strokes, pinches, rubs vigorously the legs and thighs, "puts on" imaginary stocking, then "takes it off and resets it" shaking hands.

Target: impact on biologically active points located on the legs.

Importance and benefits

Each of us parents dreams of raising our children healthy and happy. Modern mothers and fathers know very well what a huge influence environmental factors have on the development of a little person. Fresh, clean air, sunlight and warmth, nutritious and varied nutrition, love, attention and care from adults - all this is necessary for health, not only physical, but also mental.

True, even today many underestimate the importance of movements for a child of the first year. You can often hear: “I have a wonderful baby, he is so calm.” Maybe it’s convenient when the child lies quietly in a crib, sits calmly in a chair or stands in a playpen. But restriction of natural mobility and insufficient physical activity have an extremely adverse effect on both the baby’s health and the formation of his personality. This problem is especially relevant for urban children, who are forced to spend most of their time indoors.

Special exercises help make up for the lack of physical activity. Pediatricians know
that in combination with gymnastics, massage has a versatile, extremely beneficial effect on the child’s body. Massage and gymnastics perfectly develop all organs and systems and have a general strengthening effect on the entire child’s body. It significantly influences the formation of motor reactions and physical development of the baby.

The fact is that massage is a powerful tactile stimulus. Under its influence, countless streams of nerve impulses are sent from the skin along the nerve pathways to the cerebral cortex. These impulses have a tonic effect on the central nervous system and stimulate its activity. As a result, its main function improves - control over the vital functions of the whole organism, the development of positive emotions, intellectual development, and the formation of motor reactions improves. Researchers have noted that the more often the sensory and motor endings of the brain are used in children in the first months of life, the faster the brain develops.

You have probably noticed that stroking or lightly patting the baby’s cheek causes a smile in the baby already in the first days of life, when other stimuli: visual (an adult’s smile) and auditory (affectionate conversation) are not always able to stimulate it. Pediatricians call this a physiological smile, as opposed to a smile in response to treatment. Psychologists who study the development of speech in children know that the first speech reactions (humming) more often occur in response to stroking the legs and abdomen, while other forms of communication with an adult do not cause revival in the child.

These observations received theoretical justification in the works of physiologists, who indicate that the pathways of the cutaneous tactile analyzer mature before all others (visual, auditory) and are already ready for birth. Therefore, a child in the first months of life is most accessible to exposure through the skin; touch causes not only emotional, but also certain motor reactions.

The human brain grows and develops solely through its use. The more often the sensory and motor endings of the brain are used at a given time, the larger the volume the brain occupies during its growth.

Peculiarities

In children's massage, all the techniques of classical massage are used: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, light percussive techniques, and some acupressure techniques.

Different massage techniques have different effects on the nervous system: stroking, gentle rubbing and kneading enhance inhibitory processes - calm the nervous system. Prickling and pinching have a stimulating effect.

In addition, massage directly affects those organs and systems that are located closer to the skin: this is primarily the lymphatic system. Massage actively affects lymph circulation, accelerating the flow of lymph and thereby facilitating the release of tissues from metabolic products, so tired muscles rest faster during massage than with complete rest.

Under the influence of massage, the peripheral capillary network expands, which is manifested by pinkening of the skin. Blood flow to the massaged area provides favorable conditions for nourishing and healing the skin: it becomes pink, shiny, elastic.

The effect of various massage techniques on the muscles is different: stroking, rubbing, kneading causes muscle relaxation; tingling and pinching - contraction.

For example, with lethargy of the abdominal press and intestinal muscles, which is accompanied by flatulence (often found in infancy), abdominal massage mechanically helps to free the intestines from gases and in these cases acquires special significance.

Experts know that the baby's skin in the first months is dry, thin, easily vulnerable. Therefore, when conducting a massage, sparing techniques (stroking) are first used, then others can be gradually introduced: rubbing, light percussion techniques, kneading. The intensity and duration of the procedure slowly increases.

The most important result of systematic gymnastics is the normalization of the nervous processes of excitation and inhibition. The main properties of these processes: strength, balance, mobility - are being improved, which is very important for the correct and harmonious development of the individual.

In raising children, one should not underestimate the fact that movements are the main source of joy for them, and a good cheerful mood is the basis of good health.

Each emotion corresponds to a special state and a special nature of the work of the heart and blood vessels: negative emotions (sadness, fear, anger) cause vasoconstriction, which creates unfavorable conditions for tissue nutrition, joy dilates blood vessels, and at the same time favorable conditions for nutrition and work are created. organs.

All of the above about the physiological effect of movements applies not only to gymnastics, but also to movement in general - whether it is independent active activity or organized outdoor games.

In free outdoor games, the child moves according to his own initiative and, at will, changes movements, posture and alternates activity with rest, therefore independent activity is the least tiring of all forms of motor activity of children. Parents should try not to limit the mobility and curiosity of the child, creating conditions for his vigorous activity. At the same time, it is important to teach the child the correctness, accuracy of movements, then it will not be a game, but an exercise.

To develop the correct movements, you need special exercises - gymnastics. In these exercises, the formation of the correct motor stereotype goes through a number of stages: inaccurate, awkward, constrained movements are gradually refined, performed without undue stress, with less energy, and finally become automatic and, as such, form the basis of all vital movements.

The earlier gymnastics begins (better in infancy - during the formation of motor skills), the easier it is to bring up the correct dynamic stereotype and the more stable the results.

In gymnastics, special attention should be paid to those motor skills that are most used in life. So, in the first half of life, it is necessary to teach the child to turn correctly from his back to his stomach, since the incorrect mechanism of these turns leads to deformation of the spine.

After 6 months of life, it is necessary to teach the child to crawl, and at the same time correctly, that is, on all fours, and not to pull himself up on his hands, as a result of which the lower limbs, not participating in movement, lag behind in development.

After a year, it is necessary to teach the child to walk correctly, which promotes good posture and normal shape of the lower extremities. Walking, if done correctly, can be an excellent means of physical education throughout a person's life.

Gymnastics is the most intense form of motor activity in children, aimed at developing static and dynamic functions (crawling, sitting, standing, walking), at developing rhythmicity in a broad sense, i.e., plasticity and energy saving, providing less fatigue.

In gymnastics, accuracy and correctness of movements must be ensured: in infancy - these are the hands of the parents, in older ones - special devices (gymnastic equipment, sports equipment, elements of the home environment).

In order for gymnastics to bring joy to children, the following conditions must be met: firstly, the exercises must be accessible, i.e., correspond to the age and functional capabilities of the child; secondly, the technique that stimulates children to perform the exercise must also be age appropriate.

For children with impaired psychomotor development, or suffering from any diseases, massage and gymnastics are even more important than for absolutely healthy ones. A special movement regime often becomes the main element of complex treatment, the most effective means of rehabilitation. However, in this case, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician and strictly follow his instructions and recommendations.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO MASSAGE AND GYMNASTICS

It is important to remember that massage and gymnastics are contraindicated in many pathological conditions:

• for all acute febrile diseases;
• in severe forms of malnutrition;
• for purulent and other acute inflammatory lesions of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, muscles, bones (eczema, pemphigus, impetigo, lymphadenitis, phlegmon, osteomyelitis, etc.);
• for diseases accompanied by fragility and pain of bones;
• with rickets during the peak period and during the acute course of the disease with symptoms of hyperesthesia;
• for purulent and other acute arthritis, tuberculosis of bones and joints;
• with congenital heart defects occurring with severe cyanosis and compensation disorder;
• with various forms of hemorrhagic diathesis, especially with hemophilia;
• for acute nephritis;
• for acute hepatitis;
• with active forms of tuberculosis;
• with large umbilical, femoral, inguinal and scrotal hernias, with significant prolapse of the abdominal organs or with a pronounced tendency to strangulation.

It is very important to consult a pediatrician before having a massage.

CONDITIONS FOR MASSAGE AND GYMNASTICS

First of all, we choose a place to conduct classes. This can be any hard surface; a changing table is best. Cover it with a clean diaper, under which you place an oilcloth and a double-folded flannelette blanket. It is advisable to position the table so that it is possible to approach the child from different sides. Also, massage can be performed on the floor, which naturally meets the following requirements: safe, clean, warm, smooth and even.

In any case, the place for studying should be well lit, away from heating devices and drafts.

The room must be well ventilated, and in the warm season it is better to carry out massage with the vent (window) open, thus combining it with hardening.

Massage and gymnastics should be carried out 0.5-1 hour before feeding or 45 minutes after it.

The massage therapist's hands should be perfectly clean, dry, soft and warm, with short-cropped nails. You can use special oils, baby massage creams.

Due to the increase in heat transfer during massage in the cold season, the child’s body, except for the massaged area, can be covered with a warm diaper.

When and to whom should massage be performed?

Starting from the 14-20th day of life, preventive courses of restorative massage are recommended for all newborns, unless there are contraindications. The affectionate touches of parental hands bring great pleasure to the baby and strengthen the emotional connection between him and the adult. But a specialist should show and teach the mother massage techniques. In addition, 3-4 courses of massage in the first year of life should be carried out by a professional children's massage therapist. The massage course consists of 10-15 sessions. Such courses are conducted in the period from 1 to 3 months, from 4 to 6, and, if possible, from 8 to 10-12 months of life. This time was not chosen by chance. It is during these periods that the baby masters new possibilities for him - holding his head independently, sitting and crawling independently, preparing for walking and walking itself. Professional massage also includes water procedures. And the earlier you start swimming with your child, the less he will be afraid of water in the future. The Mother and Child clinic employs qualified physical therapy doctors and professional massage therapists with extensive experience. For each little patient, we develop special programs for general health and therapeutic massage, gymnastics, and swimming.

Therapeutic massage and a complex of physical therapy, if necessary, are prescribed by specialists - a neurologist, an orthopedist. For example, in case of muscle tone disorders - hypotonia, dystonia, habitual head position, in diseases of the musculoskeletal system - congenital muscular torticollis, congenital hip dislocation, hip dysplasia, plano-valgus foot placement, congenital clubfoot, etc.). Therapeutic massage should definitely be performed by a qualified specialist!

So, the mandatory requirements when conducting classes with a baby are a cozy room (preferably at home), the warm and skillful hands of a massage therapist and the good mood of your baby. It is important to remember that massage and gymnastics for a child are not only a therapeutic and health procedure, but also pleasure! Let daily activities be a joy for your baby!