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How to do infant massage:
Although there are many types of massage, any massage done
on neonates must be very gentle. A typical type of massage appropriate for
neonates consists of gentle, slow stroking over each part of the body. This is
sometimes referred to as tactile stimulation.
Many studies pair this with passive flexion and extension
of the limbs, referred to as kinesthetic stimulation. Some studies use
both of these types of stimulation. These methods are described below:
A typical 15 minutes of massage:
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First 5 minutes: Tactile Stimulation
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Second 5 minutes: Kinesthetic Stimulation
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Third 5 minutes: Tactile Stimulation
Tactile stimulation:
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Make sure hands are clean
and warm before beginning.
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Place the infant in the prone
position (on the stomach) with head turned to the side.
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Stroke each area of the body
with moderate pressure using the flats of the fingers of both hands.
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Each area gets stroked for
one minute. This is broken down into 10- 12 strokes each lasting for about
5-6 seconds.
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Using this method, stroke
each of the following body areas:
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From the top of the head, down the back of the head to the neck and back to the top.
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From
the back of the neck across the shoulders and back to the neck.
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From
the upper back down to the buttocks and back up the back. Press on
either side, not directly on the spine.
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From
the hips to the feet and back to the thighs.
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From
the shoulders to the hands and back to the shoulders.
Kinesthetic stimulation:
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Make sure hands are clean and
warm.
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Place infant in the supine
position (on the back).
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Move each area of the body
for one minute. This is divided into 6 flexion/extension movements lasting
about 10 seconds each.
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Move each of the following
body parts in a slow bicycling-like motion:
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Left arm
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Right
arm
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Left
leg
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Right
leg
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Both
legs
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