Massage Technique, Rest and Sleep
Infant massage facilitates affective bonds because it includes the main elements to establish them: gaze, skin-to-skin contact, smiles, sounds, hugs, smell, voice emissions and response.
They also improve the functioning of all systems, drastically change behavior patterns, facilitate relaxation allowing the child to release tension, sleep and rest peacefully.
The technique for performing massages is as follows:
- Remove rings, watch or any other accessory.
- Before performing the massage cut the nails if necessary.
- Choose the right and quiet time of day.
- Position the baby in a position that is comfortable for him and you.
- Remove the clothes in parts avoiding air currents.
- Use oil to massage and avoid irritating the skin.
- Take into account the temperature of the hands and the oil, keep it at a temperature that the baby can tolerate.
- Control the pressure, direction and speed of the massage.
- If the baby manages to fall asleep, allow him to rest enough and do not interrupt his sleep.
- Duration of the massage only the one that he tolerates.
Massage techniques: According to Femenías (2009), Vimala Schneider is the creator of infant massage techniques, collected from the following main sources:
1- Traditional Indian massage:
It consists of making movements from the center of the body towards the extremities. Its objective is to relax and eliminate tensions.
2- Swedish technique:
Unlike the Indian massage, it is applied from the outside of the body to the inside. Its objective is to tone and activate the body.
3- Reflexology or foot massage:
It is that massage that is performed, as its name indicates, on the feet, in a very gentle way.
