Infant massage is done not only in Africa, but in almost every culture and tradition these days. We talk about this ritual in this article!
Why is baby massage important?
It is important to understand the main reasons why babies are massaged in Africa, until a few weeks after birth. It is originally performed by mothers, and almost all in Africa. However, anyone willing to learn the technique is welcome to perform such maneuvers.
The main point of baby massage in Africa is to intensify the mother-child relationship. During the massage, there is skin-to-skin contact from the moment the mother, with the palm of her hand and with oil, massages her child, eyes to eyes, this strengthens the bond between the two .
In addition to this, the massage allows the psychomotor development of the child, it also allows to effectively relax the body of the baby, and according to the mothers, it helps to solidify the bones of the child so that he grows up healthy and strong.
How to do baby massage in Africa?
In Africa, it is a tradition to massage babies. There are several techniques to do it, but here we will show you the most common technique, to massage different parts of the body.
• Resting hand massage
The resting hands technique is a good way for your baby to feel secure and enjoy the touch.
• Leg massage
Start with the legs with the newborn, as this is a generally more accepted area. You can gently hold the baby's ankle with one hand and place the other on the upper thigh, then slide it down to the ankle.
• Head massage
Start with your hands on either side of the baby's head, then glide to either side of the baby's body. Then draw small circles on his head with your fingertips.
• Foot massage
Gently squeeze and roll each toe between your thumb and index finger, and use the thumb of your other hand to press down on the top of your foot.
• Belly massage
Massaging your newborn's belly can help with digestion and colic.
• Back massage
Hold the baby close to your chest and massage their back, starting at the neck and ending at the bottom.
In conclusion
Don't be afraid to start a massage routine soon after birth. Routine massage helps strengthen your bond with your baby and promote happy, healthy development. Through newborn massage, you become aware of how your baby communicates and get ideas on how to care for him during the first months.
It is important to keep in mind that in Africa, baby massage is something you do with the child, not for the child.
Comments (2)