What age is massage suitable for children?

Touching is a method of communication between mother and child. This method can make the child more relaxed and is more conducive to the child's growth and development. Generally speaking, after the baby is born, the mother can do this kind of touch work. When touching, you should pay attention to some precautions, such as paying attention to the indoor temperature, paying attention to the time of touch, etc. Let us learn about this aspect below.

What age is massage suitable for children?

Infant massage can be done as soon as the baby is born. Massage can help parents communicate with their baby. So, at what age is it appropriate to do infant massage?

In fact, there is no strict age limit for massaging babies. Of course, the longer the better. Massaging the baby can enhance the relationship between mother and baby and is the most heartwarming parent-child time. As long as the mother has the time and energy, it will not be a problem. This is the most intimate interaction between mother and baby. Children grow up very quickly, and one day when they grow up, they are no longer needed. Therefore, mothers should cherish this wonderful parent-child time. However, when the baby grows up, especially after 7 months, he no longer cooperates with your touch. At this time, you can do active exercises.

Preparation before massage

1. Maintain a suitable room temperature (around 25 degrees Celsius) and massage time (around 20 minutes), ensuring comfort and undisturbed conditions within 15 minutes.

2. Adopt a comfortable position, choose a quiet, clean room, and play some soft music as the background.

3. Choose the appropriate time to touch. Babies should not be too full or too hungry, and massage is best done after the baby has taken a bath.

4. Prepare towels, diapers, and spare clothes before massage. Pour some baby lotion on the palms and rub your hands together to warm them.

Steps of Touching

1. Face (relieve facial tension)

Take an appropriate amount of baby oil or baby lotion, and use the thumbs of both hands to push outwards from the center of the forehead to create a smile shape. Use the thumbs of both hands to push outwards on the eyebrows, eye sockets, philtrum, and chin to create a smile.

2. Chest (smooth breathing circulation)

Place your hands on the ribs on both sides, slide your right hand upward toward the baby's right shoulder, return to the starting position, and do the same with your left hand.

3. Hands (increase flexibility and reaction)

Let the baby's hands hang down, hold his arm with one hand, gently squeeze from the upper arm to the wrist, and then massage the wrist with your fingers. Massage your other hand in the same way.

Hold the baby's arms with both hands, rub and roll them up and down, and gently pinch the baby's wrists and hands. While ensuring that your hands are not injured, use your thumb to massage from the palm to the fingers.

4. Abdomen (helps gastrointestinal activity)

Massage your abdomen in a clockwise motion, but do not massage the area until the umbilical cord scab has fallen off. Use your fingertips to massage the baby's abdomen from the operator's left to right. The operator may feel the bubbles moving under the fingers. You can do the ILOVEYOU family experience. Use your right hand to draw an English letter I from top to bottom on the baby's left abdomen, then draw an inverted L from left to right according to the operator's direction, and finally draw an inverted U from left to right. When doing the above actions, say "I love you" in a caring tone to convey love and care.

5. Legs (increase motor coordination function)

Massage your baby's thighs, knees, and calves, gently squeezing from the thighs to the ankles, then massaging the ankles and feet. Next, hold the baby's calves with both hands, rub and roll them up and down, and gently pinch the baby's ankles and soles. Make sure your ankles are not injured and use your thumbs to massage from your heels to your toes.

6. Back (relax back muscles)

Place your hands flat on the baby's back, massage from the neck down, then use your fingertips to gently massage the muscles on both sides of the spine, and then move in a circular motion from the neck to the lower end of the spine again.