How to Massage a Child Throughout Development
Daily life and its many obligations can cause stress levels to rise and introduce unhealthy tension to the body. Touch Research Institute founder and director Tiffany Field, Ph.D., advocates for the positive benefits of massage, as it lowers cortisol levels -- stress hormones -- and increases mood-enhancing neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin levels in our bodies. Though parents may not be aware of how their daily routine affects their child, children can experience stress, just like adults. Massage provides the opportunity to reduce stress levels for your child in a peaceful, loving and physically bonding manner.
Things You'll Need
- A comfortable surface like a bed or couch
- Massage oil
- Essential oils
Instructions
Bonding with Baby
Introduce massage to your child at a young age to establish a healing connection with him. Massage your baby to promote secure attachment, improve sleep patterns and relieve constipation, gas and teething discomfort. Use special toys designated for massage time, sing songs and use nursery rhymes associated with different parts of the body as ways to maintain an active baby's participation in the massage. Speak to your baby in a calm, loving voice prior to the massage. Eliminate potential distractions from your environment, such as a cellphone or distracting sounds. With your baby on her back, start the massage with her legs. Place your hand on one leg at the hip and use a gentle downward stroke toward her foot. Gently squeeze and kiss the bottom of your baby's foot. Repeat with the other leg. Continue to your baby's tummy, placing your hands at her belly button. Massage in a circular, clockwise motion around the belly button. Massage your baby's tummy to help reduce colic and improve digestion. Move up to your baby's arms, and starting at the shoulder, use a gentle downward stroke to move down to her hand. Hold your baby's hand to your cheek and give kisses. Repeat with the other arm and hand. Move your baby onto her stomach and massage her back. Start at the base of the shoulders and, using both hands, stroke your baby's back all the way down and continue down the backside of her legs. Repeat several times. End your massage with a hug and kiss to reinforce respect and love. The Early Years
Offer a massage to your school-age child before bed or right after he returns home from school as a way to decompress. Provide the calming energy of a massage to help your child recenter his focus and increase concentration for evening activities like homework or household duties. Children can oftentimes experience growing pains throughout development. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests gentle massage as a way to alleviate physical discomfort from growing pains. Make use of stories, songs and imaginative elements during the massage to motivate your child's interest and encourage his receptiveness. Use massage time as a way to verbally connect with your school-age child. Check in with him about his day and what might be on his mind. Incorporate the use of essential oils if your child shows interest in them. Use similar massage strokes on your child as you would your baby -- gentle and thorough to cover major areas of the body. Certified massage therapist Jan DeCourtney recommends a 10-minute to one-hour timeframe for the massage, reminding parents that a child can sometimes have a short attention span. Focus on your child's upper neck area and all major joints. Give special attention to the shoulder area, as older children tend to carry stress in their shoulders. Communicate to your child that you are massaging him to help him feel better. Massage his feet as a way to conclude the session. Advancing Toward Maturity
Continue to encourage your child's participation in regular massages through her advancement into puberty and young adulthood. Your teen's receptivity to massage may fluctuate from day to day and she may not show as much interest as she did as a younger child. Try not to take a refusal for a massage personally, as your maturing child needs opportunity for independence and personal space. Offer a back or foot massage to your teen during times when she might be more welcoming. Sickness, stress from school or relationships and tiredness can be relieved through receiving a massage. Teens still need physical contact with parents, but due to hormonal issues, it will probably be more comfortable for all if you give a sitting massage. Suggest that your teen schedule a visit with a professional massage therapist as an alternative to receiving a massage from you at home. Openness to participating in massage in this manner might make more sense to your maturing child. Continue to encourage your teen to receive massage regularly as a way to promote better health and impart the importance of self-care.
