Birth
As soon as a baby is born, the baby is placed on the chest to connect with his mother as much as possible. They put the baby on the chest to drink the first breast milk, also called colostrum, which is more dense and dark yellow in very small quantities. The first mother’s milk is extremely calorie and important for the newborn, covers all the newbornˈs needs for the first four days.
Soon after the first date, the baby performs the first examination, which is assessed according to the Apgar scale. Everything is done according to the criteria of the experts in order to find out how a baby gets into a life outside the uterus. The scale includes five criteria: activity (muscle tone), pulse (heart rate), mucus (baby’s response to stimuli), appearance (skin color) and respiration (breathing). Even for the baby, the first days can be tiring and something new, so the baby only needs gentleness and pampering to make the transition to the new world as fluid and comfortable as possible. Equally, adapting to the cot, the bed, the toy and the new atmosphere is a challenge for the newborn, so we must provide the baby enough peace and rest. After coming home, hygiene is very important.
Infant Massage and Relaxing Techniques to Calm the Baby
Touch, Feeling of Safety and Warmth
The most secure and reassuring baby feels in his mother’s embrace. In this, touch and warmth can soothe even so powerful changes in the body of our baby. Every baby is different, and everyone needs a lot of tenderness, “chattering” and drowsiness. As a masseuse, in the book Yoga Mom and Baby, I have attached knowledge about baby massage – various techniques and treatments that can help relax and calm your baby.
Techniques also have a great influence on the circulation, regeneration of cells and the well-being of our youngest. They have accumulated knowledge of massage gestures and yogic knowledge from India and America. Simple principles were also supported by expert Majda Košir, who deals with homeopathy and massage techniques.
Exercise: An infant massage can be carried out on naked skin or over the body. If the skin is naked, it is lubricated with various oils, with the most exposing juniper, almond and olive oil. Massage covers the entire body. The original massage begins on the back and ends in the abdominal muscles. It also depends on how your baby is facing and what suits him at that moment. Different techniques of gestures are used to massage the whole body: smoothing, rubbing, knocking, kneading and shaking.
Extra attention and caution are required in a baby massage. It is important not to use strong, jerky movements, and that the little one feels comfortable and safe with the help of massage treatments. On the palms, feet and abdomen, circular movements are used in the clockwise direction. Massage grips on the legs and hands are mainly directed towards the heart upwards and are horizontal on the body. It is usually held for a long time on the back, since the babies are extremely suitable for various circular movements, palm, drawing lines, circular movements, drawing on the back, etc.
Massage treatments are also a stimulus which is ready for the rest of the exercise and can also be performed during and before yoga training. However, if your movements are calm, you contribute to the relaxation of the body and the baby’s tranquility, which is desirable along the yoga itself and influenced by Savasana – relaxation position.
Notes: Do not forget that infants spend most of their time and treat them massage, as they accelerate blood circulation of the entire body, as well as accelerate the flow of energy throughout the body. Infants are basically extremely flowing and do not actually need strong massage grips, as we are accustomed to adults. That is why the emphasis is on the tenderness and comfort of the baby.
Advantages of Infant Massage
Positive relaxing effects affect the release of the whole body. An infant massage eliminates tension, insomnia and helps to relieve cramps and other discomforts associated with adapting the baby to a new environment. With massage grips, power returns in muscles, joints become more flexible, swelling decreases. Gentle skin after the massage is even more elastic and resistant to external influences. Above all, the baby feels safe, comfortable and massage treatments are mostly relaxing, calming and reassuring.
For more on massage techniques, see the book Yoga Mom and Baby, which allows you a lot of chatter and gentle moments at home as well.
