How to properly massage children 3 to 6 months old

Thanks to massage, the child’s musculoskeletal system is properly formed and blood circulation improves. Due to the fact that a baby’s tactile perception is brighter than other senses, contact with the hands of adults helps him quickly explore the world in which he is. Read below about what you need to know to properly massage a child aged 3-6 months.

What are the benefits of massage for 3 month old babies?

Many inexperienced mothers and fathers do not fully understand the power of tactile stimulation and how beneficial it is for every child. But in vain! After all, it is not only a pleasant and relaxing action. For example, experts claim that massage can treat various pathologies - without side effects. And work as a prevention of various violations.

However, these are not all the advantages of massage for a child:

massage increases blood circulation;
strengthens the skeleton and muscles of babies;
helps against excessive tone;
forms their motor skills;
removes tension, indispensable for relaxation;
helps with torticollis;
helps strengthen the baby’s musculoskeletal system;
works as a prevention of colic and excessive gas formation;
improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
improves the condition of the baby’s skin;
activates all metabolic processes;
strengthens the immune system;
gives a general developmental effect;
improves sleep and mood of babies.

But that is not all! Modern scientists claim that a gentle massage of mother’s hands strengthens the mental health of babies. And it even helps them develop better intellectually.

Therefore, the question is: “Does a 3-month-old baby need a massage? Should I do it or not? — shouldn’t even stand in front of your parents. The correct answer is, of course: “Yes!”

The benefits of massage for a baby from 3 to 6 months

Pediatricians recommend combining massage with developmental gymnastic exercises. The complex, which includes massage and light physical activity, helps the child master the skills of changing body position, making him more resistant to stress. In addition, children who receive regular massage quickly develop the following indicators:

muscles are strengthened;
the tone of the flexor and extensor muscles is in balance;
the rhythm of movements develops;
blood circulation increases;
orthopedic problems (hip joint, foot position) are eliminated;
strong immunity is formed.

The beneficial effects of massage extend to the respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems

Tactile stimulation is beneficial not only for the physical, but also for the psychological and emotional health of the newborn. Close contact with the mother or father plays an important role, during which the concentration of hormones that provoke stress and nervousness decreases in the child’s body. These babies eliminate toxins faster and gain weight more quickly.

Massage for a 3 month old baby

In fact, three months is a very important age for a child, because at this age the balance of muscle tone has already been established. This means that passive movements of the arms, as well as kneading, can be added to the general massage.

Classic restorative massage for a three month old baby

Massage of the arms, starting position (IP) - the baby lies on his side. With your left hand you need to lift the child’s hand, and with the palm of your right hand, gently stroke it, moving towards the shoulder from the hand, 6-8 times.
Crossing of arms. IP - baby on the back. You need to let him wrap his palms around the adult’s thumbs. And cross your arms over your chest, bending them at the elbows. When spreading, the arms extend, but not much, 4-5 times.
Tummy massage. IP - baby on back. With one palm you need to stroke your tummy, making clockwise circles 5-6 times. Attention, the liver area (hypochondrium on the right) must not be touched!
IP the same. Foot massage. First you need to iron each leg with one hand, holding it by the heel with the other. You should first stroke the back and outer side of the thigh and lower leg, from foot to thigh, 6-8 times each leg. Next, use your palm to make a series of small rubs along the outer side of the thigh, also moving from the foot to the thigh. The inner surface of the thighs must not be massaged!
Massage of the legs, IP the same. You need to grab the baby's shin with your thumb and forefinger. And then rub vigorously, moving up to the knee. Do 4-5 times for each shin.
Turn signals, IP the same. You need to make turns from back to tummy, first to the right, then to the left, with straight legs. To turn left, you need to hold the child with your left hand by his right arm bent at the elbow. And with the right one - behind the feet. To the right - change your hands. Make turns by turning your pelvis.
Back massage, IP - the baby lies on his tummy. First you need to iron the back with your fingers or the back of your hand, from bottom to top. Then iron it from top to bottom, but completely with your palm.
Massage the buttocks - you need to do a few pinches, in a circle clockwise.
Foot massage, IP - baby on the chest. Support your feet with your index fingers and lift them slightly. At the same time, stroke them with the pads of your thumbs, moving from the toes to the ankle joints. Also make circles around the joints. Repeat 5-6 times.
Reception number 10. Rub your fingers, each separately 2-3 times, moving from the tips.
Lightly tap each foot 4-5 times.
To finish, gently, lightly stroke the baby, this will relax him and he will definitely like it.

Training video on how to massage a 3 month old baby:

How often should a child massage?

In the first year of life, healthy babies are prescribed 3-4 courses of massage. If there are deviations - from 8 to 10. Each course consists of 10 sessions and is conducted once every three months.

Parents must follow the following rules for a restorative massage:

At least 30 minutes before feeding;
At least 60 minutes after feeding;
At least 60 before bed.

The procedure should be carried out in a warm room without drafts, but with fresh and clean air. It is recommended to ventilate the room well before the massage. To make the baby more comfortable, he is placed on a soft sheet.

Before the session, you need to wash your hands and lubricate them with baby cream, coconut or olive oil. Shea and jojoba oils are well suited for massage. The main thing is that it must be natural. The oil is rubbed between the palms so that it becomes warm and does not cause discomfort.

Special massage oil is not suitable for massaged children from 3 to 6 months due to the high content of chemical impurities. It can trigger allergies. It is also prohibited to use any heating or cooling compositions, creams containing bee or snake venom, large amounts of eucalyptus and mint.

Healthy babies receive massage daily. The first session lasts about 5 minutes. The duration is increased gradually, bringing the total time to 20-25 minutes.

General rules and nuances of how to do massage procedures

So, in order to ensure that tactile influence is beneficial and does not cause harm, it is important to follow the following important rules:

The procedures should be carried out before feeding, preferably in the morning, unless we are talking about a soothing massage at night;
an hour after a meal or earlier, and not right before it;
It is unacceptable to touch the liver and kidney areas, genitals, and spine;
all movements must be extremely smooth and gentle, you cannot act roughly, sharply, or press hard;
if your baby has trouble falling asleep, it makes sense to do a relaxing massage before bed and after bathing;
the baby should be in a good mood;
if there is a clear expression of dissatisfaction or tears, the procedure must be stopped immediately;
the room should be ventilated, but it should be warm (not lower than 22 degrees);
The massage should be carried out on a table or other hard surface covered with a blanket or diaper;
the hands of the mother (or the massage therapist) should be washed, dry, without jewelry and long nails;
optimal time – 5-15 minutes;
You need to do 1 session per day, no more.

And most importantly: tactile communication must certainly please the baby and give him pleasure!

If this is not the case, then there are errors, or the “object” is not in the spirit. It makes sense to stop the massage, distract and entertain the child, analyze the conditions and your actions. Perhaps you need to reduce the time, add tenderness.

Basic rules of baby massage

Massage should be done in courses of 10-15 procedures, daily or every other day. Then a break of at least ten days is necessary. The procedure is done once a day.

At first, it is recommended to massage the baby for three to five minutes. As a result, the duration of the massage for infants three to four months old is no more than 15 minutes. Gradually the time is increased. At five months the baby is kneaded for 20-25 minutes; by six months the procedure can last up to half an hour.

Basic rules to follow when giving a massage to your baby:

The massage therapist's hands should be warm and soft. Get rid of rings and bracelets that can damage your baby's delicate skin.
Do not start the procedure earlier than an hour after the child has eaten. Also, after it you need to wait 30-40 minutes before your next meal.
Ventilate the room before the massage and make sure that the temperature is not lower than 22°C.
After the massage, the child should be dressed warmly and given time to rest and relax.

You cannot knead the baby if he is worried or crying. It's better to wait until he calms down. But even then it is advisable to make the most gentle movements possible. There is no need to start the procedure before bedtime. If your child is sick, take a break from the course. But during the process of stroking and rubbing, it will be useful to talk tenderly to the baby and hum something pleasant to him.

All movements must be performed gently and calmly. The main effects in massage of a child of three to six months:

stroking;
trituration;
kneading (vibration);
tapping.

Stroking is simple movements on the baby's skin with the palm of your hand. The remaining movements are carried out with the pads of the fingers. You can do circular or linear rubbing. Tapping is done first with one finger, then with several. These movements are also known as finger showers.

How to prepare for a newborn massage

Before starting a full-fledged procedure, check how the child reacts to different movements and touches. Refuse those influences to which he reacts painfully, or perform them as gently as possible. As an emollient, choose hypoallergenic oil for newborns.

List of contraindications for massage

In fact, even three-month-old children have their own contraindications to massage. Massage for a 3 month old baby cannot be done if:

any ailments in the acute stage;
increased body temperature;
heart defects and circulatory problems;
dystrophy, rickets in severe form;
significant hernias;
ailments of the kidneys and liver, other organs, with dysfunction;
serious disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
serious skin problems;
infectious diseases.

Basic massage techniques

The following techniques are suitable for home use:

Stroking. These are light sliding movements of the palms aimed at relaxation and calming;
Trituration. Perform with little effort in a circular motion. Reduce the level of excitability;
Vibrations or light patting;
Wallow. Technique of rubbing muscles with palms;
Tingling. Done with your fingertips. Improves blood circulation and muscle tone.

Carrying out a massage using any of the techniques should not cause children any unpleasant physical sensations.

If a four-month-old baby begins to cry, fall asleep, or dodge hands, the procedure is stopped.

A 4-month-old child can be massaged using a fitball - a special gymnastic ball.

It is recommended to use a children's ball with a diameter of 55-60 cm. The material should not be slippery. This type of gymnastics develops the vestibular apparatus, improves coordination of movements, and helps get rid of gas. Place the baby on the tummy or back, and hold the sides, arms and legs while rocking lightly.

Life story

I just remembered a story about a friend’s son. At 3 months he was diagnosed with torticollis and massage was recommended to correct the disorder. A friend of mine, a responsible mother, decided to handle the task herself and learned how to massage her son by watching video lessons and reading articles.

At the same time, she did massage treatments every day for 3 months. The baby apparently understood that this was a necessary thing, and did not cry at all - he even liked it! My mother’s skillful massage at home helped not only remove torticollis, but also reduce colic, which also tormented the child greatly at first.

That's all, my dear readers. Do you massage your children? Do you believe in his power? Please tell us in the comments! I will be very grateful to you if you “like” this material, subscribe to the channel, or share the article via social networks with friends and acquaintances. Good luck and health, see you again!

Features of massage for babies

Children's massage can be therapeutic and preventive. Therapeutic is prescribed when a pathology is detected, and is done only by a qualified specialist. But preventive massage is useful for all newborns, and even inexperienced parents can cope with this complex.

It is important to understand that arbitrary pinching, patting and other inept movements can harm the baby. Before starting a massage course on your own, it is worth visiting a specialist several times who will show you how to do it correctly.