A four-month-old child already holds his head well in a prone position, can roll over on his side, and tries to rise. Muscle hypertonia, which is diagnosed in most newborn babies, almost disappears, the baby can already make conscious movements (for example, turn his head towards a sound or a toy). Moreover, already in the fourth month of life, the girl can outstrip the boy in development.
Massage to baby 4 months
It is very important to massage a 4-month-old baby, as it is:
- improves sleep and appetite;
- has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of the baby;
- relieves muscle tone, promotes relaxation;
- contributes to the proportional physical development of the baby;
- activates blood circulation, stimulates the development of muscle tissue;
- helps to strengthen the immune system.
Important! Affectionate touch stimulates the production of growth hormones in the child's body. It has been proven that a lack of such substances can provoke psychosocial dwarfism.
Not all parents have the opportunity to use the services of a professional massage therapist. Each mother is able to independently massage a 4 month old baby at home.
Preparing to massage the child yourself
In order for the massage not to harm a 4 month old baby, you need to carefully prepare for the procedure:
- Ventilate the room in which the massage session will take place in advance. At the beginning of the procedure, the air temperature should be 20-230. If it is not possible to achieve the optimal temperature in the house, then covering the toddler with a blanket and alternately opening parts of the body for manipulation is allowed.
- Prepare the massage area. A changing table covered with a soft sheet is quite suitable as a massage table.
- Place massage oil, napkins, towel, baby clothes in the quick access area.
- Find the optimal time for the procedure. Ideally one hour after feeding.
- The sounds of classical or meditative music can promote relaxation and tranquility.
- Make sure the baby is healthy, in a good mood and ready for the session.
- Apply massage cream to cleanly washed hands without jewelry and rub it to warm it in the palms.
By the way! It is not recommended for children of four months to use specialized massage creams. They contain a large amount of chemical ingredients and can cause an allergic reaction. Better to use olive or coconut oil, baby cream, shea butter or jojoba.
Home massage technique
No one needs to be specially trained in the techniques of performing general massage. For a better mastering of massage techniques, you can take several lessons from professionals, each parent is familiar with:
- light relaxing strokes,
- rubbing,
- pats and vibrations,
- rubbing of muscles with palms (felting),
- mild pinching with fingertips
- light tapping with fingertips.
Important! More intense and complex massage techniques should not be performed on your own without special training.
A classic step-by-step massage for a baby 4 months old is carried out in the following order:
- pens,
- legs,
- 2-3 flips in each direction on the stomach,
- back,
- tummy,
- Feet,
- gymnastics,
- exercises on fitball.
Currently, doctors do not require strict implementation of these recommendations. It is allowed to massage in a different order. Ayurveda, for example, recommends starting from the back.
It is necessary to start and end the massage for a baby at 4 months with light strokes to warm up the child's body and weaken muscle tone.
Preparation for massage
Important! Each manipulation must be repeated no more than 6-8 times. Pronouncing children's nursery rhymes or counting (one, two, three, four) will allow the masseur to adhere to a certain pace, the baby will be able to catch the rhythm of movements.
Dr. Komarovsky recommends a daily massage for a 4-month-old baby at home. It will strengthen the immune system and have a beneficial effect on the health of the child.
Doctor Komarovsky's recommendations:
- start massage gradually, avoid sudden movements;
- orient all manipulations along the blood vessels;
- increase the pace and intensity of the massage gradually, and also gradually finish the session;
- after stroking, proceed to massage the body from the lower back to the neck along the spine, from the fingers to the shoulders, from the foot to the thigh;
- it is forbidden to massage the area of the liver and spine;
- the recommended session duration is 5-7 minutes.
Back massage for 4 month old babies
- Turn the baby over onto its stomach.
- With the help of stroking, stretch the buttocks and back.
- With pinching passes, walk from the buttocks to the seventh cervical vertebra and back.
- With the back of your hand, smooth out the back muscles in the direction from the spine to the sides.
- Go through the tapping of the fingertips from the buttocks to the cervical region and back.
- To strengthen the spine and neck muscles, it is useful to do flips from the back to the stomach through the left and through the right side.
Important! When performing coups, the baby should equally willingly roll over to the left and right. If the crumb prefers one side, then this is a reason to see a doctor.
Belly massage
After the coup, start massaging the abdomen. With soft circular passes clockwise, stroke the baby's tummy without touching the liver area. Then, with slight tension, smooth out the oblique muscles. During the session, make sure that manipulations do not cause unpleasant sensations to the baby.
Breast massage at four months is stroking from the center of the chest to the sides, vibrations from shaking the arms, spreading straight arms to the sides.
Foot massage
Foot massage for children 4 months old at home
The foot massage also begins with stroking from the foot to the hip joint and continues with the felting technique. To do this, the leg is placed between the palms, then the muscles are slightly shifted with gentle, gentle slides clockwise. It should be continued with gymnastic exercises "bicycle", "sliding" steps on the surface of the table, bending and unbending the legs, alternately raising straight legs to the chest, raising the legs bent at the knees to the sides.
Important! It is not recommended to stroke the inner thighs.
Foot massage
Rubbing and kneading the feet with your fingers will bring benefits for the baby. This place contains a large number of active points associated with the work of the whole organism. You can stretch your toes and feet, draw eights, press on active points, tap the heel with your fingertips.
Hand massage
First stroke the baby's handle with gentle circular movements from the fingers to the shoulder joint, then shake it slightly. After doing passive gymnastics: cross the arms on the chest, make boxing movements, spread straight arms to the sides and up. Allow the child to grasp the adult's fingers and slightly lift the head and upper body by the arms. This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles of the back, neck and abdominals.
Hand massage and gymnastics
Rubbing your hands is also good for your baby. Like on the foot, there are active points that balance the body's work. Smoothing fingers and palms soothes the baby and allows him to fall asleep quickly.
Fitball exercises
A naked baby is laid out on a fitball while lying on his tummy. Holding the legs and back, roll the child up and down for four to five minutes. Turn the baby over on its back and repeat the exercise.
Note! Swinging on the ball should not be sharp, the amplitude of the vibrations is safe for the baby.
When the session is contraindicated
- At high temperatures;
- For colds;
- Within three days after vaccination;
- In the presence of a number of diseases (acute form of rickets, arthritis, nephritis or hepatitis; exacerbation of fever; severe atrophy; tuberculosis; diseases of the skin, bones, subcutaneous tissue and lymph nodes; congenital heart defects; hernia; scoliosis; hemorrhagic diathesis; oncological diseases);
- If the child is prescribed physiotherapy, you should consult a pediatrician about the appropriateness of massage.
The benefits of massage
Thus, massage has a beneficial effect on the health and development of the baby. The child's motor skills are developed, which are necessary for the fourth month of life. Various muscle groups are strengthened, a positive effect on emotional status is exerted, and the body is hardened.
