If dysplasia, neck curvature, flat feet, congenital defects in the pelvis are detected in the baby, massage is the best treatment. When neurological disorders such as hypertension, problems with flexion of the toes and fingers are observed in most newborns, therapeutic massage by a pediatrician is recommended, and we must not forget that such treatments should be performed by a massage nurse.

To prevent diseases…

Experts believe that the prophylactic method of massage is one of the treatments that must be included in the daily care of the baby. Such massages can be performed at home by mothers in consultation with a specialist.
What is important to know? Prophylactic massage should be continued from the date of birth until the child reaches 3 years of age. Light, well-directed prophylactic massage ensures the physical and mental development of the baby, improves gastrointestinal function and respiration, strengthens the immune system, has a positive effect on the activation of metabolism. After the massage, the child's blood circulation speeds up, his appetite opens, his nerves calm down and he sleeps well.

Before massaging the baby, mothers should take into account the anatomical and physiological features of the child's body. For example, very sensitive areas - the upper part of the liver (right rib cage) and genitals, nipples are not massaged. Since there are a lot of nerve fibers on the inside of the pelvic area, it is better not to massage this area.
If the baby is crying, hungry or in pain, as well as if there are purulent lesions on the skin of the baby, he should not be massaged when he was born with heart failure or when the liver is enlarged due to the disease. When the body temperature rises, the massage treatment is stopped until it heals.

Preparing for preventive massage:

The massage room should be bright, clean, warm, without fans, the air temperature should be in the range of + 22-25C.
Choose the most comfortable place in the house for a massage. It can be a sofa, bed, table top. You can play soft music. Place one or two smaller toys in front of the child’s favorite.
You can start the massage 30-40 minutes after the baby eats.
Keep the baby's skin clean and dry during the massage. Prepare an oil or cream that is suitable for her skin.

Let's start massaging:
Undress the child and place him in the prepared place. She should be in a good mood so she doesn’t get bothered by the massage.
During the massage, lubricate your hand and warm it by rubbing it so that your fingers move lightly on the baby’s body. Because the baby should feel warm without shaking.
Gently massage his face and throat with your fingertips. Gently rub the eyebrows, eyebrow space towards the temples. As you draw your nose and lips, then gently massage your ears.

Gently rub the baby’s abdomen area with a circular motion in a clockwise direction.
When massaging the chest area, gently rub with your fingertips with a motion directed from the center of the rib cage to the underarm. Let your fingers move gently and lightly, from the center to the side.
Hold the tip of the foot, lift it, and rub it from the bottom up, toward the outside of the pelvis. Keep in mind that it is very important to massage the soles of the feet, paws. Gently rub the top and bottom of the foot. Massage each finger separately with the sole.
Turn the baby on his stomach and massage the back from the neck to the buttocks and from the buttocks to the neck. It is not possible to massage the spine itself.

Additional recommendations:

It is best to do the massage 40 minutes to 1 hour after feeding the baby. You can take a bath and a walk two hours after the massage.
In cold seasons, it is better not to completely undress the child during the massage.
Observe the baby's skin during treatment. It is not good for the skin to feel excessive redness, bruising, or pain and to cry. When massaging a baby for a few days, a cream or oil applied to the skin will block the breathing tissue. Bathe the baby to prevent various rashes on the skin.
Prophylactic massage lasts 3-4 times a day for 4-7 minutes, while therapeutic massage is performed once a day for 15 minutes.

Dilfuza TURDIYEVA, pediatrician,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor.
Barno TOSHMUHAMMEDOVA,
doctor-neonatologist.