Features of massage on a ball for infants

Exercise is necessary for a newborn. They help the baby adapt to his new environment and develop correctly.

Hypertonicity is the main problem of most infants, and normally disappears on its own over time.

But it is better to help the child and eliminate muscle tension. To do this, you should buy a massage ball for newborns.

Why and when is children's preventive massage indicated?

Children's preventive massage is an excellent, and most importantly, safe way to improve the health of the baby. It promotes the harmonious development of the musculoskeletal system, regulates muscle tone, improves blood circulation, and strengthens the immune system.

In addition, contact with the skin stimulates various parts of the brain and promotes the correct psychomotor development of the baby.

The benefits of fitball

Fitball is an ideal option for active entertainment with your baby. Such a large gymnastic ball will be useful not only for newborns, but also for older children who use it as a jumper.

There is an opinion that fitball exercises are only recommended for children with non-chronological disorders, but healthy children also need such exercise.

Ten useful properties of fitball:

1. Relieves muscle hypertonicity, which is often observed in infants: exercises relax various muscle groups.
2. Develops the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the abdominal and back muscles, preventing poor posture in childhood.
3. Has a massage effect.
4. Stimulates the functioning of internal organs, improves blood circulation and breathing.
5. Promotes better digestion and prevention of colic: light rocking on the ball and gentle pressure on the tummy causes muscle relaxation, which improves intestinal activity and eliminates constipation.
6. Develops the vestibular apparatus: careful movements in different directions form correct coordination from an early age.
7. Relieves pain: vibration on the ball acts as a kind of physical therapy, providing a mild analgesic effect.
8. Soothing: Slow movements remind newborns of the prenatal period in the womb, reducing the stress of the postpartum stage and making it easier to adapt to new conditions.
9. Increases endurance: as the child grows up, he masters new, more complex exercises.
10. Improves mood: Working closely with mother plays an important role in the emotional development of the child.

Rules for choosing a gymnastic ball

New parents are often confused when choosing a fitball, because on the shelves of children's and sports stores there are balls of different diameters, with a smooth and textured surface, and with or without handles.

Before purchasing a ball, you should evaluate the following parameters:

• Size. The optimal diameter is 60-75 cm. This ball can be used not only for activities with infants, but also for the whole family.

• Elasticity. The fitball should be quite elastic; after pressing, the hand should easily bounce off it without going inside.
• Strength. The higher it is, the more functions a fitball can perform, so it is better to buy a ball made of high-strength rubber that can withstand loads of up to 300 kg.
• Seams. They should be invisible and imperceptible during exercise.
• Hypoallergenic, no foreign odor.

It is better to buy a ball for exercising with a newborn in specialized stores, where sellers can provide all the necessary documents and certificates confirming the quality and safety of the product.

How to choose a massage ball for a newborn?

The stores offer a wide selection of massage balls for newborns. They differ in material, shape, quality, size, manufacturer, and cost. To perform a massage, it is important to be able to choose the right fitball.

Experts advise adhering to the following rules:

• The fitball size for infants should be 60 cm or more. Orthopedists recommend using a ball whose diameter exceeds 75 cm;
• You should pay attention to the presence of ABS or BRQ markings on the product. This abbreviation means that the exercise ball will not explode when used;
• You should buy elastic balls. To check this property of the product, you need to press on it with your finger. There should be no dent left;
• you need to choose a fitball from a durable, hypoallergenic, non-toxic material with an antistatic effect;
• the surface of the ball should be warm and non-sticky to the touch;
• It is advisable to buy a product with the maximum permissible load. Then all family members will be able to exercise on the fitball;
• It is better to choose balls with a smooth but not slippery surface;
• there should be no rough seams on the fitball;
• preference should be given to products without a chemical odor;
• the color can be any. But it is better to choose models in pastel shades.

It is recommended to buy a massage ball for newborns from well-known manufacturers. Today, the best gymnastic balls for children are produced by the following companies: Mondo (Italy), TOGU (Germany), Reebok (USA), Ludi (France). The products of these companies are certified. Therefore, you can buy them without fear.

A set of exercises on a fitball for infants

Fitball massage for infants has a number of advantages. The main advantage is simplicity. After all, massage and gymnastics do not require special training.

Despite this, experts recommend conducting the first classes under the supervision of a fitball instructor. This will allow you to understand how to properly hold your baby and which exercises are most effective.

Basic set of exercises for babies from 1 to 3 months

According to many experts, the most favorable period for starting exercise on fitball is 1-1.5 months. Before performing a massage on a fitball for a 3-month-old baby, you need to cover the ball with a diaper.

An effective complex for this age may include the following exercises:

• Rocking on the tummy and back. Place the child in the middle of the fitball, and, holding it with your hands, swing the apparatus back and forth, left and right, in a circle.
• Spring. The child is placed on the ball with his stomach down and his legs are firmly grasped. With the second hand, lightly press on the butt or back, forcing it to spring up and down.
• Watch. The baby is placed with his back on the fitball. Holding the chest with both hands, rock it in different directions, making circular movements.

Massage for newborns on a fitball should begin with simple exercises, a minimum amplitude of rocking and the duration of the procedure.

What exercises are suitable for babies 3–6 months old?

As the baby grows, the duration of classes increases, therefore, the number of exercises should also increase. You can diversify the basic complex using the following techniques:

• Football. Place your baby on his or her back on a bed, sofa, or floor. Roll the fitball to his legs. The baby will instinctively push him. Repeat the procedure several times.
• Jumper. Sitting on the floor, firmly fix the ball between your legs. We put the child on a fitball, and, holding him by the back, show him how to spring and bounce. Typically, older children really like this exercise and cause joy and laughter.
• Wheelbarrow. The child is placed on his stomach on the fitball so that he rests his hands on the surface of the ball. They take him by the legs as if they were rolling a wheelbarrow, and rock him back and forth with short movements.

Choosing exercises for children from 6 months to one year

After the child turns six months old, you can safely expand the usual set of exercises. New movements will not only diversify activities, but will also contribute to more active development of the baby.

• We take out a toy. The baby lies on his stomach on a fitball. Holding it by the legs, tilt the ball forward so that the child can reach the floor with his hands and take his favorite toy. This exercise is extremely effective for strengthening the back when the baby makes his first attempts to crawl.
• Strengthening your abs. The child is placed on his back. Holding it by the handles, they lift the little one so that he sits on his butt, and then lower him back down.
• Soldier When the baby reaches the age of 8-9 months, he tries to stand on his feet and maintain balance in a standing position. It is convenient to use a fitball as a support.

Contraindications to gymnastics and precautions

Pediatrician Komarovsky notes that exercises with a gymnastic ball are very useful for newborns. But the doctor warns that such exercises are not for everyone.

It is worth refusing to perform the complex on a fitball in the following cases:

• the child has a cold and feels unwell;
• the baby is not in the mood to study;
• there are neurological problems;
• have diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

It is important to perform exercises on the ball correctly. Otherwise, the child may be injured.

It is recommended to adhere to the following precautions:

• before practice, the ball must be cleaned of dust and dirt;
• perform a complex according to age;
• don't exercise daily. It is necessary to allow the muscular system to recover and strengthen;
• do not start exercises if the child is crying;
• The first lessons should not exceed 5 minutes. Then the time is gradually increased to 20 minutes;
• When performing exercises, you must always hold the baby;
• Do not pull the baby by the hands.

What are these balls and how are they useful?

These are seemingly simple products, more like toys. But simplicity does not mean lack of effectiveness, and children's massage balls prove this. After doing a little research on the market for children's products, we discovered that massage balls come in different varieties. Therefore, check with your pediatrician which particular ball he has in mind if he recommends it.

So, massage balls for children can be of two main types:

• large inflatable balls with a diameter of 50-70 cm, or so-called fitballs;
• small round products with a diameter of 5-7 cm with spikes.

The first variety is similar to the balls you saw in gyms. The principle of their use for children is not much different: the child is placed on the surface of the ball, performing various exercises, alternating with manual massage of the arms and legs, back and tummy.

The second type of massage balls are spiked products made from food-grade silicone or rubber. These are classic physical therapy balls in the traditional sense. They are recommended by most pediatricians as an effective, accessible and inexpensive means for the early development of a child.

What is the secret of such balls and how to use them?

Massage hedgehogs, as they are also called because of the spiked surface, are designed for direct contact with the baby’s body. The essence of the application is to roll the ball over the baby’s skin in order to influence acupuncture points. This method is similar to traditional reflexology, where pressing on certain areas of the body sends signals to the nerve endings in the brain.

The use of massage hedgehogs for infants allows:

1. accelerate the growth of cerebral cortex cells
2. promoting early development of intelligence, speech, memory and motor coordination.

Exercises with massage balls are completely safe for babies. Many parents are scared by the words “spiked”, “needles” and other definitions of anything sharp. There's really nothing to worry about here.

The products are made of safe material that does not cause allergic reactions upon contact with the sensitive skin of a baby. The spikes, made of rubber or silicone, have soft, rounded ends, so there is no chance of damaging the child's skin. The studded surface of the balls has a pinpoint effect that has a stimulating effect. Thanks to the safety of this method, even newborns are allowed to play and exercise with such a ball.

How to use fitballs

A gymnastic ball or fitball was invented for the rehabilitation of patients with spinal problems. The elastic surface made it possible to perform movements without putting stress on the back. Gradually, ordinary gym goers also appreciated the convenience of the projectile. Today, fitballs are used for training adults and children, amateurs and professional athletes.

Large gymnastic balls will help you lose weight and create a beautiful figure. When compiling a fitness complex, you need to include as many different exercises as possible: straight and reverse crunches, leg lifts, bends.

For practice, it is better to use lightweight products with a slightly rough surface. Such balls will not slip out of your hands.

To pump up your back and abdominal muscles, you need to lie on your back with your legs straight on a fitball. After a deep exhalation, the hips and pelvis are raised to their maximum height, resting on the arms and shoulder blades. after holding for 8-10 seconds, the body is smoothly lowered to the floor. Push-ups will help strengthen the muscles of your arms and chest. Straight legs lie on the ball, the depth of the tilt can vary. Side turns from a position sitting on a ball can help you remove belly fat. Beginners are recommended to perform each exercise 10 times; after a few days, the number of approaches can be increased.

Small children's balls are suitable for morning exercises. holding them in your hands, you can describe circles and bend over. The ball is used as a movable step platform, resting on it with one foot during lunges. The degree of elasticity of the projectile can be easily varied by pumping or releasing air.

Large elastic fitballs can also be used outside the gym. The product is suitable as a seat. The projectile allows you to reduce the load on your back; constant light vibrations improve coordination and stimulate brain activity. It is not necessary to sit on the ball for the entire working day; a few fifteen-minute sessions are enough. The method is recommended for people who have to spend a lot of time in a sitting position, who are predisposed to scoliosis, lordosis and other pathologies of the spine. It is important to choose the right size of the ball, your legs should be bent at a right angle, and your feet should be firmly planted on the ground.

Bright, cheerful balls not only improve your figure, but also lift your spirits.

Massage balls and how to use them

The needle massage ball can be used for self-massage. Small products are suitable for anti-cellulite complexes. With their help, the legs, buttocks, shoulders, neck, and abdomen are massaged. Such projectiles are indispensable for stimulating acupuncture points on the feet and palms. By kneading a hard ball in your hands, you can develop the strength of your hands. Small needle-shaped balls are capable of:

• improve fine motor skills;
• restore finger mobility after injuries and strokes;
• prevent the development of flat feet;
• strengthen joints;
• improve blood circulation.

Balls with a diameter of 45-50 cm are suitable for therapeutic exercises, massage of newborns, prevention of spinal diseases, and formation of correct posture. Small spikes affect nerve endings, increasing the effectiveness of training. In order for the relief surface to have maximum impact, you need to exercise in light cotton clothing or underwear.

How to work with a baby?

Don't know how to massage your baby with a rubber hedgehog? The essence of the exercises is very simple: you need to slowly and carefully roll the ball with your hand over the baby’s body. There is no need to press hard. The main thing is to influence his body in such a way as to stimulate the key areas responsible for brain development:

• roll the ball over your palms and arms, starting from your fingertips and ending with your elbow joint;
• make circular movements along the inner surface of the feet;
• roll the ball over the back using circular massaging movements.

It is better to be careful with the tummy and head, because... these areas are very sensitive. But the palms and feet must be massaged, paying special attention to these areas.

In children, stimulation of fingers and toes promotes the development of areas of the brain responsible for intelligence, speech, analytical thinking and logic, as well as creativity. In children, the brain works just as actively in both the left and right hemispheres. By influencing the reflex points of your arms and legs, you simultaneously develop your intellect and imagination.

Engage your child regularly, and in a few years you will find that your child is precocious, a great learner, and absorbs information like a sponge. As a bonus to good mental abilities, the baby will have strong immunity and resistance to colds.

Take the time to search and buy massage balls for children, especially since they are very inexpensive. Thanks to regular use, you can achieve good results in strengthening the physical and mental health of your baby.

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