Contents:
- Medical Video: UNIVERSAL DADS - Baby Massage (Building a bond between baby & father)
- Benefits of baby massage
- Sleep better
- Form stronger inner bonds
- Tips for preparing a baby spa at home
- Safe technique for baby massage
- 1. feet
- 2. Hands
- 3. Chest
- 4. Back
- 5. Head
Medical Video: UNIVERSAL DADS - Baby Massage (Building a bond between baby & father)
Baby massage is one trend that is quite popular with new parents lately. You can even take your baby to a spa center or baby massage which is now spreading everywhere. However, experts recommend that the baby's father or mother should massage the baby instead of taking him for a massage at the baby spa. New parents are generally hesitant to massage their own babies for fear of massaging or hurting the baby. No need to worry, baby massage techniques are basically very simple and can be done alone at home.
Benefits of baby massage
Baby massage turns out to offer various benefits for both babies and parents. In addition to helping babies to be more relaxed and comfortable, baby massage can also bring you and your baby closer. See the full explanation below.
Sleep better
Has your baby ever been crying, but your baby's crying subsides immediately after being carried? Parental touch can indeed make the baby feel safer and relaxed. So, by massaging your baby, it will be calmer and sleep at night even more soundly. Baby massage will stimulate the baby's central nervous system so that his brain produces serotonin, a substance that can make your baby feel better.
Form stronger inner bonds
A loving touch in the movement that beritme is a form of positive communication between parents and babies. You can also massage while taking your baby to talk slowly in a soothing tone. Babies will also learn to trust your touch and direction. For new parents who are still nervous or anxious about facing a baby, baby massage is a powerful way to restore self-confidence and positive thoughts.
Tips for preparing a baby spa at home
Wait until the baby is over 2 weeks before massaging the baby to avoid the risk of irritation or allergies to baby oil. Should baby oil not directly applied to the baby's body, but first pour it in the palm of the hand and rub it until it feels warm. You can massage your baby when his mood is good and his body is healthy.
Prepare a massage pad in the form of a towel, soft cloth, or baby diaper pad. In order for the baby to relax, you can close the curtains or dim a little room light so that the light is not too dazzling for the baby. Also make sure that the room temperature is warm enough because you have to take off the blankets and baby clothes during the massage. Baby massage will usually not take more than 15 minutes.
Watch your baby's reaction to the massage. Your baby will cry or whine if you feel uncomfortable. You can stop the massage if your baby does not like the sensation. It could be because of your hand or baby oil feels cold on his skin or because he doesn't like to lie still for long.
Safe technique for baby massage
When you massage your baby, you can rely on it feeling or about the size of the pressure your baby likes. Basically, baby massage does not require pressure because the nerves and muscles are still very sensitive. You just need to stroke it or rubbing the baby with a sure but gentle motion. Please directly check the baby massage technique below.
1. feet
Start from your baby's feet. Very soft, sequential thighs to your baby's ankles. Repeat on the other leg. After that, lift the soles of the feet and with similar movements, massage the soles of the feet from heel to fingertips. With your thumb, make a circular motion on your baby's heel slowly. Repeat also on the other leg.
2. Hands
Sort the baby's arm from the armpit to the wrist slowly. Then gently, hold the baby's hand as if to shake hands. Turn his wrist clockwise, followed by a counterclockwise rotation. Repeat the two movements in the other hand. Then, with both of your thumbs, make a circular motion on the right and left sides of your baby's palm. Do the same movement in the other palm.
3. Chest
Lay your baby on his back and make sure your palms are warm enough, not too cold or hot on the baby's skin. Place your palms on the baby's chest and make circular motions outward. Alternate by putting your palm back on his chest. Repeat this movement several times.
4. Back
Lay your baby in a prone position. You can lean your head on a thick blanket or a pillow that isn't too high so that the little one feels comfortable. Make sure that your baby's hand is on the side of his head, not on the side of his body. Your position should be next to the baby, not in front or behind it. With the tips of your fingers, trace the back from the point below the neck to the back of the waist. After that, place the palms of your hands on the baby's back and pull them to the ends of his feet.
5. Head
Place the back of your baby's head on both hands. With your thumb, make a circular motion like a heart pattern that starts from between your brows to your forehead and ends between his eyes. Repeat similar movements under the baby's eyes. After that, make a circular motion on the baby's chin, just below his mouth with one of your thumbs. After finishing the massage, clean your baby from baby oil and wear the clothes again. Usually the baby will immediately fall asleep afterwards.
