Going to a spa is one way to pamper yourself when you are stricken with fatigue or if you just want to refresh your body and mind. Apparently, not only adults can enjoy pampering treatments at the spa. Lately, baby spas or spas for babies are rife, especially in big cities. The pioneers of baby spa promise a variety of health benefits for the baby. However, is it true that spas are good for the development of your baby? Or perhaps it's just a trend? Before you spoil your baby at a spa, consider the following important things first.
What is baby spa?
Baby spa is a treatment designed to provide positive stimulation in babies 3 weeks to 3 years old. Generally baby spas are divided into two sessions. In the first session, your baby will bathe in a pool using a float. This session usually lasts 10-15 minutes, depending on your baby's reaction when first entering the water. If you are used to it, the duration can be 30 minutes.
Every baby spa facility has different policies. In most baby spas, your baby will soak in the pool with one or two other babies. Warm pool water will usually be replaced every session ends. For pools of babies over 6 months, the water may not always be replaced every session because it already uses ozone filter technology.
In the second session afterwards, the baby will be massaged by a therapist. This baby massage lasts for about 15 minutes. Some spas allow you or your partner to learn to massage your own baby. However, generally a therapist who is certified will massage your baby.
Because the rules and policies of each spa are different, you should first find out more information and compare some spa facilities before registering your baby.
The benefits of baby spa for the baby
Because of its increasing popularity, experts have begun to explore the benefits of baby spas for the mental and physical development of babies. According to various studies, the spa turned out to be good for growing up baby. Here are the various benefits of baby spa.
- Floating in a pool will help babies practice balance.
- Encourage motor development and body coordination because in the water the baby will learn to kick, swing his body, and move his hands more freely.
- Increases the strength of the muscles and bones of the baby through movements in water that has greater pressure.
- Soaking in a warm pool will make the baby feel more relaxed and calm. Baby massage will also reduce baby's anxiety and crying, especially when sleeping at night.
- Prevent digestive problems through baby massage.
- Encourage brain development through sensory stimulation. The brain will produce new cells every time the baby moves to the baby spa pool. The nerves of the brain will also form many new connections because various senses of the baby get stimuli in the form of touches from baby massage, fragrance from massage oil, and warm water when bathing.
- Learn to socialize with other babies who soak with him.
What needs to be considered before joining the baby spa
If you want to introduce your baby to the baby spa experience, it never hurts to try. Furthermore, these pediatricians who are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics remind parents to pay attention to these things before taking the baby to the spa.
- Before joining the baby spa, the baby should be full and not sleepy. If you are hungry and sleepy, your baby will not be able to enjoy a spa session.
- Find out and ask for pool water filtration methods, any chemicals in the pool, massage oils used, and other things about spa hygiene and safety. Because the baby's immune system is not perfect, so it is still very vulnerable to germs, bacteria, and chemicals.
- Try to join the baby spa with another baby you know near her parents. This is so you can avoid the risk of your baby soaking in the same pool with other babies with certain infectious health problems.
- Every baby has a different development process. You should judge yourself wisely whether your baby is physically and mentally prepared to join the baby spa. You can prepare your baby to join the spa by asking him to play water or take a bath while the baby is bathing.