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Foot massage for children: how to do it right at home
Foot massage for children is different from the same procedure for adults. The anatomical structure of the children’s foot is different – it is flat, has no arch, the muscles are poorly developed, and the bones are not yet formed. Therefore, when performing massage, a number of rules are taken into account.
How to do a foot massage correctly
The massage strengthens the muscles of the legs, so that the first steps of the baby will be confident. Its conduct begins from the first months of life and continues until the child begins to walk.
Foot massage for children is performed in several stages
During the procedure, the following technique is followed:
- Take the baby’s leg in one hand and massage with the other. First, stroke the foot, including the lower leg and ankle. This technique relaxes the baby’s muscles and prepares them for the next step.
- Rub each finger. Press lightly on them, but not hard, so as not to cause pain in the child.
- Treat the interosseous muscles with the fingertips. Using forceps, massage the Achilles tendon. With each month, the pressure during admission to increase.
- On the sole of the foot, perform pressing movements in the direction from the toes to the heel. This area should be massaged for up to 5 minutes, since there are receptors responsible for the work of internal organs.
- At the end of the massage, apply the stroking technique.
During the session, one should not make too sharp movements and press hard so that the child does not experience pain.
Tips for performing the procedure at home
Before the massage, study the following recommendations:
- If the child cries during the session, he needs to be reassured. To do this, sing a song, tell a nursery rhyme or turn on funny music.
- You should not use special massage products during the first sessions. Oils reduce the sensitivity of the fingers, so an inexperienced woman can make mistakes.
- Before the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly and remove jewelry. It is recommended to cut off the nails so as not to injure the baby.
Sessions are necessary when the child is in a good mood. Otherwise, he may resist the procedure. If there are temporary contraindications – diarrhea, vomiting, fever, it is not recommended to massage until the symptoms disappear.
Thus, a foot massage for a baby prepares him for the upcoming walk, improves the functions of internal organs. But it is necessary to perform the procedure carefully, to study the technique of work in order to avoid mistakes.