We are currently about halfway through flu season. The flu, medically referred to as Influenza, is a contagious illness that effects the respiratory functions in individuals of all ages. The flu is a potentially dangerous disease for just about everyone; however, young children have a greater risk of suffering severe medical complications from the flu.

Since many infants and toddlers are unable to communicate when they fall ill it is important for parents to be aware of their child’s health. Looking for flu symptoms in a child can be fairly difficult especially in younger children. Preschool and traditional school aged children are more likely to communicate their pain or discomfort to their parents. Although it is likely that a child will speak to their parents when they are sick, it is still extremely important for parents to regularly monitor their child’s health.

Some parents have a difficult time determining whether their child is experiencing the flu or just another common cold because many of the symptoms appear to be similar. Even if parents are not exactly sure whether their child is coming down with the flu it is important that they take their child to a hospital or a healthcare provider if their child is experiencing a combination of some of the following flu symptoms. Children with the flu may be experiencing body aches, headaches, a sore throat, a fever, or nasal congestion. Whenever an individual or child experiences the flu they are often left extremely exhausted and tired. Otherwise active children with the flu may seem a little sluggish or appear extremely tired all of the time.

Flu season is a difficult time for many individuals, including children. Children in elementary school, preschool, or daycare have a increased risk of contracting the flu. In many cases there is nothing that a parent can do to prevent their child from catching it. Although the flu is a difficult illness to have it can successfully be treated within a number of days if children are provided with medical care in the appropriate amount of time.

Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.

Be sure that the room temperature is warm (78 degrees Fahrenheit). Undress the baby completely, if the weather is cold or humid cover the areas of the baby’s body that are not being massaged.

Put the baby on a soft surface so your baby will feel comfortable and secure. Keep some little pillows handy.

Basically the massage flows from the head to the toes. With soft and gentle touches you will work on the head, face, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach and legs.

While you massage your baby look tenderly at him/her. Doing this you stimulate all the senses of the baby and establish a more intense visual and tactile communication. Feel free to speak to your baby, do not inhibit yourself.

Remember that your touches should be tender do not make mechanic motions. Try to be flexible by not keeping a rigid routine.

If the baby wants to change position let them do so. Do not force your baby to keep a position; you can go back to these areas later on.

Pressure to use:
Close your eyes and press your eyelids. The pressure you should use is the same as pressing your eyelids without any discomfort.
In the small areas use your fingertips. In bigger areas use the palm of your hand. “Little strokes” mean to touch your baby’s skin gently and “massage” is to softly move the muscles under the skin.

Touch the forehead, temples and the base of the cranium
Eyebrows and eyelids
Nose
Cheeks
The area around the mouth
Ears and surrounding area

The frontal part of the neck
(Remember doing this very gently)
Make small strokes and massage the posterior part of the neck with slow movements down to the shoulders.
Softly put both hands on his/her shoulders. Caress the baby from the neck to the shoulders in the direction of his chest.

Form a ring with your fingers and thumb around your child’s arm. Begin to caress around the armpit and then go down along the arm. Be very careful when you arrive at the elbow, it is a very sensitive region. In the wrist you can gently practice turning motions using. Remember to take great care with all these motions.

Massage the stomach in a circular way (the genitalia area is excluded from the massage). Caress the abdomen moving your hands clockwise beginning below the ribs.

Caress each leg with your whole hand, press gently on the thighs. Slightly flex the legs and knees pressing the thighs gently against the body.