Today we are going to teach you how to perform Shantala massages for your baby.
To start you will need a quiet space, with a comfortable temperature for your baby and relaxing music to accompany your massages and a hypoallergenic oil or emulsion for the baby.
Place the baby in a safe and comfortable place to perform the massages and place him on his back. Start by putting a little oil on your hands and rubbing them to give them a little temperature, so the first contact will not be unpleasant if the oil or your hands are cold.
Place your oiled or creamy hands on the baby's chest and spread them in opposite directions toward the ribs and arms. This facilitates the expansion of the regulation of the newborn.
Starting from the left side of the newborn with your right hand, go up to the opposite shoulder, this brings balance and harmony.
Take the baby's right arm with the hand in the shape of a bracelet, and massage from the shoulder to the hand, sliding gently, giving the notion of limit and contour to the arm.
Hands: You should not apply oil there, since your baby will surely usually bring his hand to his mouth, just massage with your thumb from the center of the palm towards the fingers. Then place his hand on the palm of yours and with your other hand massage very gently without pressing with the palm of your hand. This prepares the baby for the balanced action of giving and receiving.
Abdomen: Work with both hands, starting at the base of the chest down to below the navel.
When one hand ends the other begins. It helps to move the intestine, release gas and avoid colic.
With your left hand, take the baby's feet, stretching them up and the right forearm, massage from the abdomen to the genitals as if they were waves.
Legs: Do it the same as you did with your arms, slide your hand like a bracelet, from the thigh to the ankles, determining on the feet.
Feet: The massage on the soles of the feet should be gently, as babies are very sensitive.
Massages on the arms and hands, as well as on the legs and feet, strengthen muscles and joints, activate circulation and stimulate the nervous system, preparing the baby to crawl and walk.
Back Place the baby across your legs, with the child's head to the left side. With your right hand, firmly grasp the child's buttocks. Hold the feet with the left hand and slide the right hand from the neck to the knees.
Hold the feet with the left hand and slide the right hand from the neck to the feet.
One hand starts from the neck and the other hand starts from the buttocks and meets in the middle of the back. This relieves the tension built up between the tired vertebrae, because the baby stays in bed for a long time. It also produces harmony and relaxation.
Face: Do not use oil or emulsions in this area. Place the child on his back as in the starting position. With the tips of the fingers, massage the forehead from the center to the sides. Massage around the eyes.
On the sides of the nose, place the thumbs between the eyes in the upper part of the nose and slide it down the sides to the nostrils following the pear, then go up again and restart the movement.
Ears: Gently grasp your baby's earlobe with your thumb and index finger and make a circular motion to the top. This will stimulate the muscles, preparing the baby to express their feelings (pleasure, anger, laughter, crying ...) It helps to decongest the airways and stimulates the sensory (sight, taste, smell, cue and hearing).
Legs and arms
The arms: Take the two hands of the baby and cross them over the chest, closing and opening. Releases the tension of the cervical and dorsal regions facilitates upper breathing.
Take the right arm and left leg and make them cross over the abdomen. Releases tension in the lower back, stimulates vital energy, balance and harmony. Finish by hugging your child.
Result: Eliminate muscular and emotional tensions. It allows you to have a body mark. It gives balance to the metabolism and reinforcements of feelings, security and confidence. It is a moment of contact, knowledge and happiness for the whole family that surrounds the baby.