Shantala massage is an ancient technique of Hindu origin designed to transmit security, well-being and strengthen the emotional bond between parent and baby. This technique was brought to the West by the French gynecologist Frédérick Leboyer, who observed how mothers in Calcutta performed this massage on their children. Learning to perform Shantala massage can offer multiple benefits for the baby, from relaxation to improving their physical and emotional health.
Today we are going to teach you how to perform Shantala massages on your baby. Follow these steps to give him a pleasant and relaxing experience.
Preparation for Shantala massage
To begin, you will need to prepare everything you need:
- Space: It is important to choose a quiet place, without distractions or loud noises, ideally with a warm and comfortable temperature for the baby.
- Ambient: You can play soft music, preferably relaxing, to accompany the massage movements.
- Oil or emulsion: Use natural oils, such as almond oil, that are hypoallergenic and specifically for babies. It is important to avoid using oils with strong fragrances.
Choose a safe place where your baby is comfortable. Place him on a soft surface and make sure you maintain eye contact with him at all times. Ideally, your baby should be awake and not hungry.
Before starting any contact, rub your hands with the oil to warm them up a little, so that the first contact with the baby's skin is soft and warm.
Step by step instructions
1. Chest massage
Place your oiled hands on your baby's chest. Gently slide them in opposite directions: one hand towards his ribs and the other towards his arms. This movement helps relax the rib cage and improve your baby's breathing, as well as giving him a feeling of openness.
Next, use your right hand to slide from the baby's left side to the opposite shoulder. This helps to balance and harmonize the baby's body energy.
2. Arm massage
Gently take one of the baby's arms and place it in the form of a bracelet between your hands. Make sliding movements from the shoulder to the hand following a gentle twist. This movement not only relaxes, but also allows the baby to understand the limits and contours of his body.
In the hands: Avoid applying oil to the hands, as babies tend to put them in their mouths. Using just your thumb, massage from the center of the palm towards the fingers. Then place their hand in the palm of yours, and with your other hand perform a gentle massage to stimulate the sense of touch and promote the balance between giving and receiving.
3. Abdominal massage
Work with both hands, moving from the base of the chest to below the navel. When one hand finishes, the other continues the movement in the form of gentle waves. This massage is particularly beneficial for improving intestinal transit, helping to relieve colic and gas.
If your baby has difficulty passing gas, hold his feet with one hand and gently stretch upwards while using the other hand to move downwards from the abdomen to the genitals.
4. Leg massage
Repeat the movements performed on the arms, but this time on the legs. Hold the baby's leg between your hands and gently slide it from the thigh to the ankles, always using delicate movements.
When it comes to the feet, the massage should be especially gentle, as babies have very sensitive feet. Stimulate the sole of the foot by gently rubbing it with your thumbs, which will not only relax the baby, but also strengthen his muscles and joints.
5. Back massage
Place the baby face down, across your legs, with his head to the left side. Hold the baby's bottom firmly with one hand and use the other hand to slide from the neck to the bottom, covering the whole back. Then, make two simultaneous movements: one hand goes from the neck to the legs, while the other runs along the back from the bottom to the neck.
This movement is especially useful for relieving tension built up in the vertebrae due to the time the baby spends lying down. It also helps improve circulation and relax the back muscles.
6. Facial massage
The face is very sensitive, so oil should not be applied to this area. Place the baby on his back again and use your fingertips to massage the forehead from the center out to the sides. Continue massaging around the eyes, and gently slide your fingers from the top of the nose to the nostrils, continuing to the chin.
This facial massage not only stimulates the baby's sensory system, but also helps to decongest the airways, promoting more fluid breathing.
7. Ear stimulation
Using your thumb and index finger, gently grasp your baby's earlobe and make small circular movements up to the top of the ear. This movement not only stimulates the muscles, but also promotes the development of senses such as hearing, taste and touch.
8. Finishing with cross movements
To finish the massage, take both of the baby's hands and cross them over his chest, opening and closing them several times. Then, cross his right arm with his left leg over his abdomen. This movement is ideal for releasing tension in the lumbar region and stimulating his body balance.
Finish by hugging your baby and enjoying this moment of relaxation and deep connection. Remember that Shantala massages not only have a physical impact, but are also a way to strengthen the emotional bond between baby and caregiver.
If you practice it frequently, your baby will be able to obtain multiple benefits such as better metabolic regulation, more emotional security and strengthened muscles for early development.
Benefits of Shantala massage
In addition to being a wonderful connection experience between baby and adult, the Shantala massage offers multiple benefits:
- Strengthens baby's muscles and joints, preparing him for crawling and walking.
- It helps regulate digestion, preventing colic and gas build-up.
- It stimulates the nervous system, improving coordination and motor control.
- Promotes deeper, more restful sleep.
This massage also has benefits for parents, such as reduced stress, increased confidence in caring for the baby and the ability to better understand their signals and needs.
Shantala massage is a practice that, in addition to being beneficial, strengthens love and non-verbal communication through touch. When performed regularly, it becomes a moment of calm and happiness for the family.