Shantala massage is a type of Indian massage, great for calming the baby, making him more aware of his own body and that increases the affective bond between the mother / father and the baby. For this it is necessary to look attentive and tender from the mother or father to the baby throughout the massage, which can be performed just after the bath, daily, still with the baby naked, but completely comfortable.
This massage generates tactile, cerebral and motor stimuli in the baby, which can improve your digestive, respiratory and circulatory health, as well as allowing a greater interaction between the caregiver and the baby. This massage can be done from the 1st month of life, as long as the baby is receptive, that is, not hungry, dirty or uncomfortable. You can choose the moment that you find most convenient to perform this massage and it is important that during all massage is present at 100%, not watching TV or mobile.
How to Make Shantala Massage
Before starting the massage, put some massage oil in the palm of the hands, which can be sweet almonds or grape seed, and rub in the hands to warm it slightly and follow the following steps:
- Face: Place the baby in front of you and trace small horizontal lines on your face, massage your cheeks and make circular movements near the corner of your eyes.
- Chest: Slide your hands from the middle of the baby's chest toward the armpits.
- Trunk: With a gentle touch, slide your hands from the belly towards the shoulders, forming an X on the abdomen of the baby.
- Arms: Slide your hands from the middle of the baby's chest toward the armpits. Massage one arm at a time.
- Hands: Rub your thumbs from the palm of your baby's hand to the little fingers. One by one, gently, trying to make the movement constant.
- Belly: Using the side of your hands, slide your hands over the abdomen of the baby, from the end of the ribs, through the navel to the genital area.
- Legs: With your hand in the form of a bracelet, slide your hand from the thigh to the feet and then with both hands, spinning back and forth from the groin to the ankle. Do one leg at a time.
- Feet: Slip your thumbs on the sole of the foot, making a gentle massage after each fingertip.
- Back and Butt: Turn the baby on his belly and slide his hands from his back to his bottom.
- Stretches: Cross the baby's arms over your tummy, then open your arms, then cross the baby's legs over your abdomen and stretch your legs.
Cda movement should be repeated about 3 to 4 times.
Tips to make a good massage
When doing this massage always look in the eyes of the baby and go chatting with him at all times and enjoy every moment. This massage lasts on average 10 minutes and can be done every day, best results are observed when it is performed shortly after showering.
It is not necessary to use a large amount of oil during the massage, only what is necessary for the hands to slide, but if you exaggerate the dose at any time, the excess oil can be removed from the baby's body with a towel or paper towel. should be used lightly pressing the region without rubbing the skin.
Some parents prefer to do the massage first, and then shower the baby, and in that case, the soaking bath in the tub keeping only the baby's head out of the water, is a relaxing way to end this moment.
Main Benefits of Shantala Massage
Shantala massage can keep the baby calmer in their daily lives, improves blood circulation, makes parents and baby closer by strengthening the bond of trust between them. With this kind of stimulation the baby learns to be more aware of his own body, and there are other benefits such as:
- Improves digestion, which helps fight reflux and intestinal colic;
- Improved breathing;
- The baby gets calmer when he notices he has daily attention;
- Promotes well-being;
- It improves sleep, making it more tranquil and with less nocturnal awakenings.
Shantala is also considered an art of giving and receiving love, and can be done from the first month of life until the parents and baby wish, but should not be performed if the baby has a fever, crying or looks angry.
