Baby 5 months massage and gymnastics. Proper massage for a baby in the first three months of life

• Facial massage, which was an optional element of the lesson until 5 months, plays a big role now in child development. This is explained by the fact that the little man begins to show his emotions more and more often, rich facial expressions appear, and the load on the muscles increases every month.
• Massage manual actions are repeated ten times.

Massage technique

A massage performed at 5 months is not particularly different from the activities that parents conducted for their four-month-old baby.

But new elements will still appear in the procedure. They are aimed at facial muscles and fine motor skills of the hands.

Facial massage
First of all, start with stroking: from the center of the forehead to the temples, from the nose along the cheeks and from the middle of the lower lip along the cheekbones.

Gentle vibrations massage your cheeks.

The thumb, index and middle fingers of the hand work. Next, apply pressure with the pads of your thumbs on the area of ​​the eyebrows, cheeks, corners of the lips, and chin. The massage is completed by patting with fingers and stroking.

Massage of legs and arms
The effect on the legs and arms is similar to the previous month: stroking, circular rubbing, pinching, felting, kneading. The movements are calm, but quite intense. Pay special attention to your brushes.

Each finger is well worked out. Biological points on the hands are perfectly activated by tingling on the fingertips. These movements can be made with the tip of your index finger or take a safe object with a tapered end.

Back and tummy massage
The tummy is still rubbing clockwise, avoiding contact with the navel. The back is stroked, rubbed, pinched, patted. The spine is not affected.

New elements
Gymnastic elements are aimed at sitting down, preventing flat feet and developing the back and abdominal muscles:

• Give the baby lying on his back a small diameter stick in both hands. Holding it by the handles, pull the stick up. The massage therapist's hand rests on the knees so that they remain straight. The baby should sit up from this position. Repeat 5 times.
• Take a stick with a diameter of 2 centimeters and place it on the table. Holding the baby by the chest with both hands, place his feet on the stick so that it “cuts” the foot across the middle. The child stands in this position for 10–20 seconds.
• Place the baby on his feet on a hard surface. This could be the floor or a changing table. With his left hand, the massage therapist clasps the child’s knees so that they remain straight. The second hand holds the chest and stomach. Gently tilt the child forward so that the body forms an obtuse angle. Repeat 5 times.
• Crawl. For a baby lying on his tummy, place your palm under his feet, thus creating support. The baby reflexively begins to push away from your hands to and crawl forward. Having realized the principle of crawling, he will quickly try to do it himself.

Conclusion

Don’t be lazy to massage and exercise your child every day. Just half an hour a day is enough for the baby to grow healthy, strong, and develop according to his age. In addition, activities with a baby at the age of five months are still primarily communication with the baby.

Mom and dad are the whole world for him, so physical contact with his parents and an emotional connection with them are very important for the baby. He must feel that he is loved and cared for.

5 months ago, happiness happened in your family and you had a child? This means that you already know the basics of caring for him, have gone through many sleepless nights, and the baby continues to delight you with his growth. However, we must not forget that at this age the bones and muscles of the baby remain very fragile and continue to develop, so they need to be helped as actively as possible.

One of the common methods is massage, which can be done to children of different ages, including 5 months. Today we’ll talk about how this procedure is performed correctly, and what exercises can and should be done as part of gymnastics.

Why do you need a massage at 5 months?

As we know, a child grows and develops especially actively at first. So, for example, at the age of five months, the hypertonicity of the arm extensors disappears, and the baby begins to move relatively smoothly and coordinatedly. The baby's brain masters control of the body, but the child still lacks strength and physics. In addition to the above, a child with normal development at 5 months should already:

• be able to roll over from the back (possibly even over both barrels);
• start learning to crawl on your own;
• try to roll on the surface.

Massage at this age is especially important. Taking into account the gradual development of the infant’s motor activity, his muscles need to be actively supported. In addition, such actions are also very useful for strengthening the baby’s respiratory, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems. Moreover, the procedures have a beneficial effect on the baby’s nervous system and brain; he learns to regulate muscle excitation and inhibition. Massage at this age is also the prevention of many problems with the musculoskeletal system, such as torticollis.

However, massage is not only about physical development. At 5 months, babies begin to show interest in the world around them. They try to look at and touch surrounding objects and animals. At this time, it is especially important to talk to him, and the massage process is one of the best opportunities for communication between mother and baby. So, we have found out the developmental features of a child at 5 months and the importance of procedures of this kind for him. Next, we’ll talk about what types of massage infants should do at this age.

Procedure technique

So, general massage and gymnastics for a 5-month-old baby include a set of procedures, thanks to which you work the muscles of almost the entire body. The sequence of actions in this case is as follows:

1. Fetal position. We bring the baby's arms and legs together and gradually tilt his body forward.
2. Hand massage. For a 5-month-old baby, it involves rubbing in a circle from the fingers to the forearm.
3. Rub the child's head and neck, make turns with him.
4. Massage your face. We start by lightly stroking the forehead, moving from the middle to the sides. Then we move to the cheeks, movements are also performed from the center (in this case from the nose) and to the edges (to the ears).
5. We teach the baby to sit and train the abdominal muscles. One handle must be pressed against the table, and the second handle must be gently pulled towards you. Then the handles need to be changed. We repeat the movement four times for each of them. Your baby may grab your hands and try to sit up on his own.
6. Foot massage for a 5 month old baby is done in the same way as the hands. These are circular and spiral strokes from the tips of the feet to the ankles. Then you can move the legs back and forth to make a bicycle.
7. Turn your baby over onto his stomach and massage the back of his thighs. They are also performed by circular and spiral rubbing and stroking. Then we massage the back and buttocks. As for the back, here you need to run the back of your fingers along it from the buttocks to the neck. Then, without removing your hand, turn it in a semicircle and point it in the opposite direction. As for the buttocks, we rub them with the inside of the palm from the middle to the edges. We end the cycle with light pats.
8. Help your baby learn to crawl! Place him on all fours, and place his favorite toy at a distance of a couple of steps from him. Move one hand of the baby towards the toy, then the other. At the same time, he must move his knees independently.
9. Massage your tummy. It is performed by circular strokes in a clockwise direction.
10. After learning to crawl, show your baby how to walk correctly! Place the baby on the table and press one leg to the table. He must install the second one himself. Repeat the procedure, changing legs. Do this several times. Over time, the baby himself will understand the mechanism of action.

Five-month-old babies are emotional and inquisitive. But their need to explore the world is limited by physical skills, or rather, the lack thereof. Despite the fact that by this age the child has achieved a lot and learned a lot, the most complex and intensive stage of his development is just beginning. Helping a baby is a feasible task for caring parents. We will talk about what physical exercises at this age should be included in the exercise routine in this article.

Features of physical development at the age of six months

If your child is already 5-6 months old, we can say with confidence that he has learned to smile and express his emotions. Also, babies of this age category can already hold their heads well if they lie on their tummy, move their arms and legs more consciously, and are able to grab objects and toys that interest them. Five- and six-month-old babies can no longer lie down and do nothing - this is beyond their strength.

Many children roll over perfectly - from back to stomach and back. Some are already making attempts to sit down. All these numerous skills must certainly be used when planning a set of activities for a child.

At five months, the child begins to actively explore his own body. At the mental level, the first speech skills are being improved; the baby can already pronounce some individual sounds and even syllables, and his thinking and attention are also actively developing.

Periods of wakefulness have become even longer; the child now sleeps a maximum of 15-16 hours a day. The rest of the time he needs communication - tactile, verbal, emotional. All these types of communication should become mandatory when performing gymnastic exercises.

Without these three components, even the most useful, from an anatomical point of view, exercises will not bring the desired result.

At this age, the child begins to realize that the movements of his torso and limbs can be controlled, and he can control them himself. This brings children into indescribable delight. Exercise, supplemented with exercises that meet the needs of the age, will be perceived with pleasure by the child and will bring a lot of benefits.

The benefits of gymnastics

The baby, at 5-6 months old, is on the verge of new discoveries: soon he will begin to sit, crawl, and then stand on his feet. Gymnastics should correspond to his motor skills and contribute to the development of new ones - be sure to include in your child’s daily program exercises to stimulate crawling, strengthen the muscles of the back, chest, and arms. This will be necessary so that the baby can sit up faster. There is no need to force a child to sit down - it is harmful and dangerous, but helping a child strengthen certain muscle groups is an excellent initiative of loving parents.

Gymnastics at this age contributes to a better understanding of the structure of one’s own body, and this is exactly what worries the baby now. With regular physical activity, joints and bones become stronger, and muscles become more elastic. All this will serve well when the child begins to take an upright position: it will be easier for him to sit down, stand up and, ultimately, walk.

Physical exercise improves blood supply to the limbs, muscle tissue, and skin. This has a positive effect on the development of the baby’s immunity. It has been noticed that children with whom they do gymnastics every day get sick less often, and if this happens, the disease is easier and there are practically no complications.

The tactile contact that a child experiences during gymnastics and the massage that precedes it has a positive effect on the functioning of the nerve receptors of the skin in particular and the entire nervous system in general. A child who is given age-appropriate physical activity sleeps better, has an excellent appetite, and is less likely to experience constipation.

The little ones with whom mother works every day develop more harmoniously, and their need for communication is satisfied. Such children master speech earlier and later demonstrate greater learning abilities.

If a child has certain neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, he is prescribed a special therapeutic massage and exercises from a complex of physical therapy (physical therapy).

It is recommended to add new exercises to such complexes only with the permission of the attending physician or local pediatrician.

Exercise, given the child’s increased mobility, should be supplemented with active exercises, which the baby will perform not only because the mother firmly holds his heels or arms, but also because he himself will be interested in performing a certain physical action. Don’t forget to organize activities accompanied by music, read poetry and sing songs - “Tie Rails” and “The Giraffe Has Spots, Spots Everywhere” are suitable.

These songs will help your baby learn about his body better. In general, all exercises should be as emotional and fun as possible so that the baby does not get bored. Below we provide a list of the most fun and entertaining (and useful!) exercises for children of this age:

"Catch me!". This exercise is aimed at developing hand coordination. Place the child on his back and place a switched-on sound toy to his right. When the baby takes it with one hand, start and place a second toy on the left, which will sound different. The baby's task is to take the second toy with the second hand and, at least for a short time, hold both toys with both hands.

• "High chair." This exercise is done to help the child master the skill of sitting. The mother extends her own index fingers to the baby lying on his back. The child’s task is to grab onto them and, pulling the body up in his arms, while continuing to hold on to his mother’s hands, raise his torso, trying to sit down. No need to drag the child. If his muscles are not ready for sitting, there is no need to sit down. It is important that the initiative to change body position with your support belongs to the baby. Avoid lifting the body to a right angle; it will be good if, to begin with, the child can rise 30-45 degrees relative to the surface on which gymnastics is being done.

• "Feather" This exercise will be beneficial for the spine and back muscles. Place a straightened open palm under the back of the child lying on his back and slightly lift the baby above the surface, securing him from above with your other hand. Ideally, the child will bend over and strain his back and abdominal muscles. Do this exercise 5 to 10 times.

• "Tin soldier". A child who is already beginning to make independent attempts to sit up can be offered a new exercise that will show him that the vertical position of the body is not at all scary. Wrap your arms around the child's chest on either side and hold him in an upright position for about half a minute with his legs resting on a hard surface. You can repeat this technique 2 to 4 times per charge.

If the child has not started to sit down, this exercise should not be done.

• "Kittens and puppies." This exercise is aimed at supporting crawling skills. Place your baby on your tummy and place your outstretched palm under your belly. Gently, holding the baby by the back with your other hand, begin to lift the baby into a position in which he will rest on the surface with his knees and arms. Hold the child in this position for a few seconds, and then smoothly lower him to the starting position.

“I am myself!” This exercise effectively develops all muscle groups, stimulates sitting and improves the vestibular apparatus. Lift the child under the arms and hold him upright. First, place a toy right under his legs in front of his toes that he will want to bend over for. Holding him by the chest, help the baby bend down through a squat. After the toy is in the baby’s hands, smoothly lift him to the starting position. It will be enough to repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

"Tickler." This technique will serve to strengthen the muscles of the foot, because the day is not far off when the child will begin to stand with support on this part of the body. Take the heel in your hands and draw a straight line with your index finger from the third toe, from the toe to the heel. In this case, the child will bend and straighten the foot.

In addition to these exercises, the mother can continue to carry out the traditional “Caterpillar”, in which the baby will stretch and try to crawl on his stomach for a toy. You can make the exercise more difficult by placing two toys in front of your child. If you try, over time he will grab both objects with both hands. You can also start doing the “Wheelbarrow” exercise if the child’s arms are strong enough (the mother holds the child by the legs, and he walks along the surface with his hands).

• If the weather and time of year permit, conduct the lesson without clothes, and in the summer - outside;
• Be sure to start gymnastics with a general massage so that the child’s muscles are “warmed up” for subsequent stress;
• It is optimal to do the exercise in the first half of the day, because it has a stimulating effect and can cause sleep disturbances if done in the evening;
• Do not conduct a lesson if the baby is naughty.

For more information about gymnastics for children 5-6 months old, see the following video.

Calculate your complementary feeding table

Trying to get a toy, a child at five months turns onto his stomach independently, without the help of his mother. Trying to get closer to an object located at some distance, he makes attempts to crawl. Consequently, the desire to get a toy helps children master movements with which they independently change their body position and begin to move. Thus, a child masters movements within 5 months of life. This is a very important stage, so special attention should be paid to it.

Baby development at five months involves a lot of tummy time. In this position, he makes various movements, which gives him pleasure. Lying on his stomach, he quickly masters crawling, and then the ability to sit down, lie down, and stand up. Also, clinging to a stationary support, he tries to walk around it.

Nikolay Nikonov

For the timely and normal physical development of a five-month-old child, it is important that he first masters the ability to change position and move (crawl, sit down, stand up). If at the age of 5 months your baby lies on his tummy a little, but demands to be picked up or does not want to roll over from a position lying on his back, then this indicates quite serious problems with the back muscles, and not about his individual characteristics. There is no advance in development, there is only a lag behind healthy children due to the fact that the child’s muscles cannot fully stretch when moving. In medicine they say that the baby cannot relax certain muscle groups.

Meanwhile, previously prolonged sitting is harmful for a child at the 5th month of life, since the back muscles, which prevent him from turning over or lying on his tummy, in the sitting position compress the lymphatic vessels coming from the spine. Changes begin to occur in the spine, which lead to back pain in adulthood. At the age of five months, the baby, while awake, hums for a long time and melodiously, chanting various sounds.

Massage for a 5 month old baby

At this age, massage stimulates physical activity, so it is extremely important to carry out these procedures. How to give a restorative massage to a healthy child aged five months who does not have muscle problems, watch and learn in the video. Explains

Massage for children is a soft, measured stroking of the child’s body with your own hands. You can use oil or so that your hands can glide smoothly over the baby's skin.

As part of the massage process, you can gently manipulate your child's ankles, wrists, and fingers for passive joint exercises. During the massage, speak softly, hum, or sing to your baby. This will make your manipulations even more soothing for the baby.

Soothing hand strokes activate the production of the happiness hormone, oxytocin, in all participants in the massage session.

Positive properties of massage for infants

There are many benefits of baby massage that can have a positive impact not only on the newborn baby, but also on his parents.

Massage will help your child:

• develop physically, cognitively, socially;
• stay relaxed and don't get upset;
• cry and fuss less;
• sleep better.

One study found that massaging a newborn can help them recover faster from jaundice.

Massage sessions are especially useful for premature babies, As a result, several improvements will be observed:

1. Faster weight gain, especially when using oils. Massage activates a key nerve called the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to major parts of the body, including the stomach. Activation of this nerve improves digestion and bowel movements, helping the baby gain weight.
2. Stable heart rate. Massage improves the functioning of the nervous system, which regulates the functioning of our organs. Thus, massage can help keep the baby's heart rate constant.
3. Calmer behavior under stress and pain.
4. More stable brain activity. Premature babies who receive massage tend to have normally developing brain activity. Premature babies who have not had massage experience a decrease in brain activity.

Massage for a baby from 0 to 3 months consists, first of all, of training the child’s body for various movements, lowering the legs, arms, and also actively developing the neck muscles, strengthening the upper pectoral, back muscles and shoulder girdle.

Massage for a 1 month old baby is also carried out in order to promote the normal functioning of internal organs, relax muscles and improve metabolism.

Sharp and hard pressure is not permissible when giving a massage to a one-month-old baby. This is especially significant when massaging the baby’s face and head. After all, the baby’s bones are still forming, and they are very sensitive and fragile.

• massage for infants from 1 month includes soft stroking, gradually turning to light pressure;
• A massage for a 2-month-old baby contains soft stroking and may also include rubbing, kneading and vibration. Massage for a 2-month-old baby is intended to relieve colic, relax the muscles of the legs and arms, which are still toned. Massage should also help calm the nervous system. Rubbing should be done carefully, because children's skin is still very delicate and thin. You should refrain from rubbing if you notice rashes on the baby’s skin;
• Regular massage for a 3-month-old child helps prevent the appearance of colic and colic, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, strengthens muscles and joints, and improves blood circulation. Massaging the palms and arms has a positive effect on the development of fine motor skills, and therefore on the child’s speech and cognitive skills in the future. General massage for a three-month-old baby includes gentle stroking, rubbing and gymnastic exercises.

How to massage newborns at home?

Before deciding how to massage your newborn, choose a place that is safe for you to massage your baby. It should be comfortable both for you, so that it is convenient to massage the baby, and for the baby itself.

Until your baby can roll over or move around a lot, you just need to make sure that he is lying on a stable surface.

As soon as the child can roll over, it is better to choose a surface from which he cannot fall. Babies can roll over in the blink of an eye, especially if the baby is covered in oil and is slippery.

The middle of the bed or even the floor will do just fine. Just place a clean towel or sheet under your baby. And never leave your baby unattended.

Make sure the room temperature is comfortable and there are no direct air flows or drafts. If the weather is hot, do not massage your baby directly under a fan or directly under the air conditioner. The baby will not enjoy the massage if it feels cold.

Since this is a special moment for you and your child, make sure there are no distractions in the room. If you have a pet, move it to another room and put your cell phone on silent. You may even want to play relaxing music at a low volume so your child can hear you being spoken to.

Have everything you need for a massage at hand.

You need to prepare:

• massage oil;
• towels to wipe off excess oil or cream;
• clothes for changing a child's clothes;
• regular diaper changing kit;
• child and a towel if you are bathing your baby after the massage.

How to massage a newborn? Basic massage techniques

Babies love established routines and repetition.

So if you massage your baby the same way every time, he will know what to expect and enjoy the experience.

1. Start massaging the baby from the legs, gradually moving to the body, ending with the head. Feet are a great place to start a massage session because your baby is used to having their feet touched when their diaper is changed.
2. Pour a few drops of cream or oil onto your hands. Heat the oil or cream by rubbing it between your palms.
3. Rub it very gently into your baby's skin, starting from the feet.
4. Work your way up your legs. You can then gently stroke from your hips to your toes.
5. Follow the same sequence on your hands. Massage them from shoulders to toes. It is useful to combine massage with light exercises.
6. Exercise for fingers. Lightly pinch a finger between your thumb and forefinger and slowly bend and straighten it. Repeat with each finger. It is useful to accompany such exercises with nursery rhymes.
7. Exercises for the chest and tummy include circular strokes in a clockwise direction. Circular stroking of the tummy, done with gentle pressure, helps move food through the digestive tract.
8. Hold your child's legs below the knee and, as you lift your legs up, gently press your knees onto your stomach. This will help the excess gases escape.
9. Finish massaging the front of your baby's body with extensive strokes from the chest to the hips.
10. Turn your baby onto his stomach to massage his back. Use large, counterclockwise circular motions, moving up your back from the base to your shoulders.

    Do not press on the spinal column area. This may harm your baby.

11. Finish the back massage by stroking with a large amplitude from the shoulders to the hips, as you did on the front of the body.

Baby head massage

In India, no baby massage is done without a head massage.

Some children enjoy having their head touched more than any other part of their body.

If your child is one of those who does not like having their head touched, do not insist on this type of massage. Wait until your baby has grown a little and then try again. As your child becomes more familiar with massage, he or she may begin to love scalp massage as well.

How should you massage your baby's head?

It is necessary to be very gentle with the newborn's head, since the bones of the skull are not yet fused.

Upon examination, you can notice soft spots that sometimes pulsate. They are called fontanelles. There are two fontanelles, one located on the crown (large fontanel), the other on the back of the head (small fontanel) of the child. The posterior fontanel closes when your baby is about 6 weeks old, but the fontanel on the top of the head closes by 18 months.

In the first six weeks, do not apply pressure when performing a head massage. Simply pat all parts of your head gently with the oil and let it absorb on its own.

Once baby's head is stiff, you can apply gentle pressure with your fingers, making small circular motions as you work your way around baby's head.

But never apply pressure to the top of the baby's head, where the larger fontanelle is still soft.

The fontanelles close and harden on their own as the bones of the child’s head grow and fuse together.

Until the child can hold his head up on his own, apply oil to the head when the baby is lying on his back. This way, any oil that drips will not fall on his face. When the baby is holding his head up on his own, you can apply the oil while he is lying on his stomach. This will make the exercise position even more comfortable.

If your baby has seborrheic dermatitis, do not scratch the crust while applying the oil. You will find that leaving the oil on your baby's head overnight will help soften the crust, which may then fall off on its own during bathing or when you wash or comb your baby's hair.

Even if this is not the case, seborrheic dermatitis does not bother the baby and is very common among children. It often goes away on its own as the baby grows up.

By combing out the crust, you risk damaging your scalp and causing infection.

How often should you get a massage?

Traditionally, the baby is given a massage every day before or after bathing. Some parents massage twice a day for the first three months. But there is no ideal number of massage sessions.

How often you do this depends on the time you have and how the child is feeling during the massage. If you are a working mother, then most likely, giving your baby a daily massage will be difficult.

Even if your child receives massage only occasionally, all the benefits of massage will still be present.

Duration of massage session

The duration of the massage changes with the age of the child. Some babies love it from birth, and then it takes up to 30 minutes to massage the whole body.

If your baby doesn't like massage initially, keep the sessions short. As your baby begins to crawl or walk, you may notice that he won't want to lie down for as long. Then you need to massage for 5 - 10 minutes.

Just “read” the signs your child gives. They will let you know if he likes the massage or not.

Give your baby a massage when he is not hungry or tired. This way he will like the massage more. This can happen at any time of the day.

Babies love predictability, so if you do things at the same time and in the same sequence, they feel safe and happy. For example, if you start with a massage, followed by bathing, feeding and finally sleep, the baby will learn to recognize this pattern and will expect it.

This can be difficult to do with a newborn when frequent feedings are necessary and the baby sleeps almost all the time. As he grows up and spends more time awake, you can take your time.

Since massage relaxes your baby, you can even make it part of your bedtime routine. A massage before bedtime will help your baby relax after an active day and calm down, ready for rest.

If your baby cries frequently at night, an evening massage may help reduce the likelihood of crying. Over time, you will get to know your baby better and be able to find appropriate times for massage and bathing. Let the baby become your guide.

When is massage contraindicated?

If your child has a rash, do not apply cream or oil to the skin without first consulting a doctor.

If it becomes clear that the rash is caused by the cream or oil that was used to massage your baby, stop using it and contact your doctor to find out which oils or creams are best for your baby.

Some experts believe that it is better not to massage when your baby is sick or sick. Others claim that gentle massage during a viral illness can help relieve body pain.

If your child has a fever, consult a doctor before getting a massage.

Always accept and explain signals from your child to yourself. When ill, he may become fussy and refuse massage. On the other hand, if your touch eases pain in the body, the baby will be able to calm down and fall asleep faster with your gentle strokes.

If your child's fever increases, he or she may feel cold. So you can simply iron and rub it over your clothes without undressing it. However, if the fever goes down, your baby may feel hot and may want to take off his clothes.

Keep an eye on the child. Always try to understand what makes him most comfortable.

In winter, you also need to massage. But the baby will like it only if he doesn’t feel cold. Therefore, make sure the room is warm enough before undressing your baby.

How to massage a baby is largely determined by the child himself. The ability to read the signals of his behavior is the most important aspect of massage. Your child will show himself when it should end, which strokes the baby likes and which ones he doesn’t.