How to massage a newborn baby

Massaging a newborn is a popular scientific method of childcare. By touching the baby's skin, it can stimulate the baby's senses and development, which is beneficial for promoting the baby's physical growth and the development of the nervous system. It is also beneficial for the baby's environmental cognition and can increase the relationship between parents and children. Let's learn how to massage a newborn.

How to massage a newborn baby

The order of touching is first leaning forward and then leaning back, that is, back - forehead - jaw - head - chest - abdomen - upper limbs - lower limbs.

①Back. Place the person being touched in the left side lying position with a small cushion under the chest. The toucher supports the person being touched with his right hand, and pinches both sides of the spine with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, from the buttocks to the neck, in order from top to bottom 12 to 15 times. Place the person in the right side lying position, and then have the person being touched lie prone with the head tilted to one side and both hands flat on the back, massaging from the neck down to the buttocks, and then from the buttocks upward in a circuitous manner, repeating 4 to 6 times.

②Head and face. Use the thumbs of both hands to push from the center of the forehead to both sides - use the thumbs of both hands to slide from the center of the forehead to the outside and upper sides to the earlobes - use the palms of both hands to stroke from the hairline of the forehead to the back of the pillow, and the middle fingers of both hands stop at the mastoid behind the ears.

③Chest. Slide your hands from the upper outside of your chest to your shoulders.

④Abdomen. The toucher's hands move from the right lower abdomen to the upper abdomen of the person being touched.

—Draw a semicircle in the clockwise direction on the lower left abdomen. Use your right hand to draw an "L" from the top of the left abdomen of the person being touched, and then draw an inverted "L" from left to right. Use the pads of your index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to slide in a circular motion from the inside to the outside of the two buttocks.

⑤Limbs. The person who is touching grabs one arm of the person being touched with both hands, and gently squeezes it from the upper arm to the wrist alternately, and then rubs and rolls it from top to bottom. The same process is performed on the opposite side and both lower limbs.

⑥Hands and feet. The person who is touching uses the tip of his thumb to push diagonally from the palm of the person being touched, and pinch and pull the joints of the fingers and toes.

Points to note

1. The room temperature is suitable and soft music can be played as background music.

2. Talk to your baby while massaging to communicate emotionally without being disturbed by the outside world

3. Start with a light touch and gradually increase the intensity until the baby is comfortable and cooperative.

4. Start with 5 minutes of massage time, then gradually extend it to 15-20 minutes, 1-2 times a day

5. Choose an appropriate time to avoid when the baby is tired, hungry, thirsty or irritable; it is best to do it after the baby takes a bath or during dressing.

6. Warm your hands before massage and pour baby lotion on your palms. Do not pour lotion or oil directly on the baby.

7. Prepare towels, diapers and change of clothes in advance.

8. If the baby is found to be uncomfortable during the operation, stop immediately.