Certainly, it is not worth talking about the benefits of massage, as everyone knows that it is useful for the prevention of a number of diseases and for improving the tone of the body as a whole. Of particular importance is foot massage, since the surface of the human foot has a large number of active points. Massage on the baby's feet (especially in the first year of life) has a beneficial effect on his physical development, strengthens the musculoskeletal system, improves muscle tone, improves blood circulation in the growing child's body.
The pediatric foot is different from the adult foot due to its peculiarities. In the one-year-old babies, the muscles on the legs are still too weak, and the bones on the pedicle are not yet strong. The first few years the child's foot seems completely flat, this is because in the recess of the arch of the foot, a fat pad is stored, which hides the exact location of the child's foot. How a child's leg develops will help identify a nurse-masseuse or a pediatrician.
At present, among the children, the problems of clubfoot and flat feet have spread widely. The cause of the development of such defects are different factors, but fortunately, with the help of a timely massage started, you can either prevent the development of a defect, or smooth it.
To begin massage on feet of the baby it is possible in 1,5-2 monthly age. At this stage, there is nothing complicated, since the technique of massage is limited to one technique - stroking the foot. To do this, the mother should use her left hand to support the child's leg with her leg, and draw a figure of eight with her right hand in circular motions on the child's foot.
Massage feet is best done every day. The massage procedure is performed when the child is cheerful, full, when the room is calm. Do not massage your baby's feet when he is hungry or just ate. You should also take into account his sleep regimen, massage should be done 2 hours before bedtime (minimum), only then the child will be able to fall asleep normally. The massage of the feet of more adult children is not limited to stroking, as it is possible to add vibration, kneading, effleurage of the feet.
Massage 4-5 month old baby you need to start with stroking the foot, then you can go on rubbing, which are produced by a slight pressure. Effective pokolachivaniya stops, they improve the blood circulation in the child's body, have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system. Massage should always end with calm strokes. As for the duration of the massage, so everything depends on the age of the child. If the child, for example, 2 months, then the massage lasts only 1 minute, and if the child is 1 year - then 5-7 minutes.
The legs of the child to 8-10 months are slightly stronger, so ready for new types of massage. You can enter, for example, twisting your fingers. This method is gentle, but at the same time tangible, because only in this case will the effect of the massage. Fingers of the kid first twist a little clockwise, then counterclockwise, then the fingers move down and up, then left and right. Massage ends with stroking and rubbing.
After the baby's leg grows slightly, not the entire foot is massaged, but its individual parts. Massaging the sole, do not forget to massage the upper arch of the foot. To do this, from the toes of the toddler, we hold the fingers to the ankle with light, stroking and kneading movements.
Important places for massage on the feet of a child are the place under the fingers and heel. You need to massage each area. Massage begins with stroking and gradually passes to the reception of rubbing. You can add tapping: Mom light movements with the back of your fingers drum the child on the foot. For the heel of the baby, tapping is especially good, as in this zone there are a large number of receptors that are responsible for the work of a growing child's body.
Massage should be done even if the baby's foot develops normally. After all, massage is a preventive tool against problems with the children's locomotor apparatus, against flat feet, and also improves blood circulation.