A guide to baby massage to make it safe and comfortable

Doing a baby massage or baby massage is a trend that is quite popular with parents. You don't always have to go to a baby massage, you can too you know, do it at home. Here's how to massage a baby that is correct and safe as well as a number of benefits of baby massage.

What are the benefits of baby massage?

Baby massage(baby massage) is not only done as a newborn care, but also useful for making babies more relaxed.

In addition, baby massage can also be a way bonding or get closer to your newborn baby.

The following is a complete explanation of what the benefits of baby massage are, including:

1. Baby massage makes you more relaxed

Confused by what causes a baby to cry suddenly? These cries often make parents panic about how to calm them down.

In fact, he can be comforted and immediately silent with just a hug. Doing physical touch with a hug or massage can calm your little one.

The first benefit of baby massage is to improve blood circulation and increase levels of the hormone oxytocin.

This will make him more relaxed and happy. If your baby is fussy and easily agitated, massage can be a solution.

Massaging your baby can also reduce pain or discomfort when he has digestive problems or when his teeth are about to grow.

2. Babies sleep more soundly

Massage makes your little one's body more relaxed which will affect the baby's sleeping time. Generally, after a massage it becomes easier for her to fall asleep.

When your baby is sleeping well, he will sleep all night without having to wake up in the middle of the night crying.

Uncomfortable sleep causes babies to wake up in the middle of the night and cry.

You can try massage the baby in the afternoon, so that at bedtime he is not fussy and can fall asleep.

3. Form a stronger bond

Quoting from NCT, baby massage is a form of communication between parents and babies.

Before understanding language and speech, he first communicates through physical touch.

You can also give him a massage while talking to him in a soothing tone. Your baby will also learn to trust your touch and direction.

4. Train the baby's nerve sensitivity and sense of touch

Through gentle touch, the baby will receive positive stimulation for the nerves and their rudimentary sense of touch.

The massage that is done will also stimulate the nerves of the baby. In addition, the baby's muscles will also be more flexible and stronger.

5. Supports the baby's brain growth

Without realizing it, the benefits of baby massage are also felt by your little one's brain. This experience will stimulate the birth of new brain cells necessary for brain growth and development.

Through baby massage, he will learn new things. Starting from the variety of touch, the aroma of massage oil, to the communication between the mother and her.

The stimulation will also produce myelin, which is a substance in the brain that is responsible for regulating nerve impulses related to motor and sensory abilities.

6. Increase parental confidence

Many parents feel overwhelmed, afraid, and anxious excessively after giving birth to a baby.

Having a baby is indeed a thrilling experience, but it is also full of warmth and love.

Through baby massage, you will overcome anxiety and nervousness so that you will be calmer, think positive, and confident in dealing with your baby.

7. Supports child development

Baby massage is also beneficial for the development and growth of children, especially in premature babies.

This can make the development of babies born prematurely become more mature, both for motor skills and other behaviors.

However, quoted from the Mayo Clinic, further research is still needed.

8. Increase weight

Quoting from the official website of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), baby massage orbaby massage also closely related to increased child weight.

For example, preterm babies who were given stimulation massage, showed a weight gain per day 47 percent higher than babies who were not given stimulation.

Baby massage also has an effect on increasing gastric activity, so that nutrition absorption is more efficient and body weight increases.

Tips for preparing baby massage at home

What to prepare if you want to do baby massage at home?

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, baby massage should be done 45 minutes after breastfeeding. Too fast to do massage on your little one can make him vomit.

In addition, wait until the baby is over 2 weeks old to avoid the risk of irritation or allergy to itbaby oil.

This oil is used as equipment for newborns that your little one often uses.

Should,baby oilnot directly applied to the baby's body, but first put in the palms of the hands and rub until it feels warm.

This is done as a way to treat sensitive baby skin.

Here's how to massage the baby that is correct and safe for you to practice, namely:

First of all, prepare a massage pad in the form of a soft towel or cloth and cloth or disposable diapers to change after the massage.
To make your baby more relaxed, you can close the curtains or dim the lights a little so that the light is not too bright.
Also make sure that the room temperature is warm enough as you will have to remove the baby's blankets and clothes during the massage.
Watch your baby's reaction to massage movements. Babies will cry or whine if they feel uncomfortable.

Infant massage usually won't take more than 15 minutes. You can stop the massage if your little one doesn't like the sensation.

Safe technique for doing baby massage

When massaging the baby, you can count onfeelingor approximately how much pressure the baby likes.

However, keep in mind that basically, baby massage does not require pressure because the nerves and muscles are still very sensitive.

Youjust need to be stroked or rubbing the baby in a steady, but gentle motion.

The following massage techniques or how to massage babies are correct and safe:

1. Feet

Starting from the feet, try to massage the baby's feet very gently, massaging from the thighs to the baby's ankles. Then, repeat on the other leg.

After that, lift the soles of the feet and, using a similar motion, massage the soles of the feet from heel to toe.

Make a circular motion on your heel slowly using your thumb. Don't forget to repeat on the other leg too.

2. Hands

Massage the baby's arms from the armpit to the wrist slowly. Then, gently hold her hand as if she was about to shake hands.

Rotate the wrist clockwise, followed by a reverse loop.

Repeat both movements with the other hand. Then, with your thumbs, make circular movements on the right and left of the baby's palm.

3. Chest

Lay the baby on his back as well as make sure your palms are warm enough, meaning that they are not too cold or hot on the baby's skin.

Place your palms on the baby's chest and make outward circular motions. Repeat this movement several times.

Doing a massage in the chest area can get rid of gas in your little one's stomach, making it suitable as a way to burp the baby.

4. Stomach

Massaging the baby's stomach can overcome constipation or constipation in children. Stomach massage can make baby more comfortable and relieve tension in digestion.

Do the massage on the baby's stomach by forming the letters I, L, and U by laying the baby on his back.

Massage in a heart shape from the top of the stomach until the palms meet under the stomach.

5. Back

Lay the baby on his stomach. You can lean his head against a thick blanket or pillow that is not too high so he feels comfortable.

Make sure that the baby's hands are on the side of the head, not the side of the body. Then, your position should be next to the baby, not front or back.

Massage is done with the tips of the fingers, then trace his back from the point under the neck to the back of the waist.

After that, place your palms on the baby's back and pull them up to the ends of her feet. This can also be a way to help a choking baby.