It’s heart-wrenching hearing your new baby cry in discomfort and not understanding what exactly is bothering them. Infant reflexology offers a natural method to soothe common maladies that babies may suffer from without potential side effects.
The practice of reflexology is an ancient form of massage that involves stimulating nerve endings of the feet. It is quite an effective way of treating various organs and parts of the body and very practical for infants. It is also an ideal technique for new mothers to perform as it can be done at any place or time and can easily be taught to other care-givers.
How Does Infant Reflexology Work?
The baby’s foot is sub-divided into six major zones. These are the pelvic area, lower abdominal area, upper abdominal area, solar plexus, sinuses and the head or teeth area. Reflexology involves gently applying pressure to these zones, providing relief and comfort. To perform the massage, it is ideal to be in a comfortable position for you and your baby so that you begin starting from the baby’s heel and working up to the toes.
There are numerous common infant ailments that can be treated using reflexology. The most common of these that are effectively treated using reflexology include teething, gas and colic. Besides using reflexology as a natural treatment therapy for ailments, it can also be used as a preventative means for promoting the overall health of the baby. Although there are specific techniques that aim to treat ailments as they relate to specific organ systems, a general reflexology massage can provide soothing comfort to a fussy baby within minutes.
Reflexology Massage for Colic
Colic is believed to develop as a result of an underdeveloped digestive system. Colic symptoms are often observed in babies who have experienced traumatic births or born with low birth weight, but it can affect any infant. It will often cause the baby to cry excessively, which can be stressful on both mom and baby. To relieve colic, you should massage the baby’s foot in the abdominal and pelvic areas.
To perform reflexology for colic, massage the baby’s foot using a walking motion starting at the baby’s heel. This will improve circulation, leading to improved absorption in the digestive system and bowel movement. When your treatment is working, it is common to hear gurgling sounds coming from baby’s tummy. The baby will then get rid of the excess gas in the stomach, leaving your baby comfortable and relaxed.
Reflexology for Teething
Babies usually experience a lot of stress when their teeth begin coming in. Teething is often accompanied with other symptoms that can be hard to distinguish between teething or sickness such as diarrhea, mild fever and fussiness. The main goal of performing reflexology is to calm, soothe and reduce the temperature of the baby by stimulating specific nerve impulses. When performing reflexology for teething, massage both feet of the baby equally and gently for best results. Apply a gentle pressure to the toes and use circular motions.
While infant reflexology has been shown effective in most infants, every baby is different and may not respond to the massage. When your baby has had enough they’ll usually respond by retracting their feet. Pay close attention to your baby’s cues if they are not enjoying the massage and discontinue.
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