When it comes to caring for a newborn, one of the most important things to consider is when to start massaging your baby's legs. While holding your baby close, you can begin by stroking their legs and back gradually. Then, move on to other areas such as the arms. After the first few weeks of birth, you can start massaging your baby.
However, it is important to be mindful of your baby's mood and not to push them too hard. When massaging your baby's legs, make long, smooth upward movements from ankle to thigh and over the hip. You can massage both legs at once or one at a time. Additionally, you can hold the baby's leg below the knee and gently press it towards the tummy to help release any wind.
It is important to be aware of why your baby may be uncomfortable during a massage. Common reasons include hunger, coldness, or even boredom. Bowlegs in infants is a condition in which the lower legs curve outward and the knees stay apart. Massaging your baby can help with this condition by strengthening bones and developing flexible joints.
Additionally, melatonin helps regulate sleep cycles, so baby massage can help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The time of day when you decide to massage your baby could make a difference in how well they respond to the massage. Keeping the baby upright and massaging the back from the lower back to the shoulders can help the air rise. Reflexology is one of the oldest and most effective types of massage; therefore, it will greatly help your newborn.
If you have never massaged a baby before, it is important to keep it simple. Baby massage does not have to be executed perfectly to be effective. Additionally, check with your baby's pediatrician if they have any underlying medical conditions that may interfere with the massage. When selecting a massage oil for your newborn, make sure you choose one that is of high quality and beneficial for their health.
