Hygienic Requirements for Massaging a Child in the First Year of Life

Massage and gymnastics for a healthy child can begin at 1.5-2 months. Massage should be performed daily no earlier than 40 minutes after meals or 25-30 minutes before meals. It is enough to carry out a massage session once a day. It is not recommended to massage before bed.

The massage should be carried out in a bright, ventilated room, the air temperature in which should not be lower than 22 degrees. In the warm season, you can massage a child naked, but in winter, autumn and early spring, the child’s body needs to be covered, leaving only the area currently being massaged open.

It is not recommended to use creams and powders during massage.

The massage should be done softly and gently. It is very important to monitor the child’s reaction to massage, which should be positive. If the child does not respond well to the massage, it should be interrupted.

When massaging, you need to bypass the liver area and the child’s genitals. When massaging your back, you should not use impact techniques in the kidney area.

The child should be massaged and exercised for 6-7 minutes.

If you have skin problems, massage should be done carefully or postponed altogether.

Massage should not be performed in case of infectious diseases, inflammatory processes or other serious health problems of the child.

Requirements for a massage therapist:

1. Comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.

2. A friendly and patient attitude towards the child.

3. Clean, warm hands, short-cut nails. Don't wear jewelry.

Rules for massage:

1. Before you start, establish contact with your child.

2. Start with simple techniques, gradually increasing complexity.

3. Perform the techniques carefully, without causing pain.

4. Protect the child’s limbs and head from sudden movements.

5. Note the techniques that bring joy to the child and begin the next session with them.