BABYCARE AROMATHERAPY
Massaging a new born is an age old practice in Kerala. Newborns respond to massage quickly and stubbornly. Though the masseurs are smart enough to carry out the job on babies, it is better the same is done by the mother herself. In that case the bond between the mother and child gets smoothened from very early stage. The mother requires only some guidance from the elders in the family. Regular massage produces a basketful advantages to the child. Stregthening of bones, suppleness of the skin, relieving of pain from colic, easy circulation of the blood, proper functioning of the digestion system, proper and timely discharge of faeces, easy building of immunity etc are the few of the advantages.
As the constitutional components of the baby are highly tender and fragile adequate care and precautions are a must while doing the Massage . Look at the tips of precautions:
Use only vegetable oils such as sesame or almond.
Use aroma oil only as a second choice and in that case dilute the oil with more base oil and minimal aroma oil and use only lavender, sandal, rose or chamomile oil.
Movements should be very gentle and smooth.
The oil should not pass to the eyes.
Do not massage within two hours from feeding.
Ideal time for massage is little before bath.
Massaging Steps
The masseur should remove jewellery from the hands and all jewelleries from the baby.
Lay the baby face-up on the legs and lap the masseur.
If not vegetable oil, mix one drop of recommended aroma oil with 50 ml base oil and apply all over the body below the neck.
Stroke gently down from arms to legs. Repeat it 5-6 times.
Apply light stroke from chest to abdomen with finger tips.
Gently apply on abdomen clockwise smooth stroke with light pressure. Repeat the process continuously 7-8 times.
Debend the fingers of the hands of the baby. Then rotate them gently clockwise and anticlockwise and massage the palms with thumbs.
Support leg with one hand and apply the oil. Gently squeeze and release the muscles of the thigh with other hand. Thereafter massage the leg as a whole up and down. Along the ankles gently massage in circular movements. Smooth the palm of the masseur over the top of the foot from toe to the ankle and back. Then stretch gently the toes of the legs.
Place the baby face down on the legs. Gently apply the oil on the back, buttocks and back of the hands and legs. Then apply stroke on back from neck to down with little squeeze on the buttocks. Do this 5-6 times. Alternate the hands one over the other and apply gentle stroke up from one side of the back to the shoulders and down again as done in front. Repeat this on the other side.
Circle the palms around either side of the spine, but do not place the thumbs on the spine. Slide the hands gently with little pressure by the thumbs to the neck base.
Massage shoulder blades gently with thumbs.
Massage the back of the hands and legs gently. During the massage squeeze out gently and release the muscles slowly. Thereafter apply smooth sliding movements to smoothe the limbs.
Finish with feather strokes all over back.
Apply small quantity of vegetable oil on the head and face and gently massage the face along the contours. Here ends the baby massage.
