Baby Reflexology for Colic

Reflexology is a non invasive gentle therapy suitable for babies from birth. Tiny babies, children and adults can all benefit from this ancient therapy that has been used for centuries to bring about healing, balance and a sense of well-being.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

👣 Here’s a video showing a lovely relieving sequence for your baby. I would love to know how you get on! ♡

👣 What is Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that all our body parts and bodily systems are reflected on the feet and the hands. Applying gentle massage and therapeutic touch to specific areas will have an effect in the corresponding body part or to the whole child.

👣 How will it help my baby with colic?

• Your touch will stimulate pain relieving hormones and feel good endorphins

• Massaging specific points will bring about relief in the corresponding body areas

• Promotes calm, is soothing and relaxing

• Assists the Immune system

• Aids deeper and more restful sleep

• Will help your baby to feel safe, secure, understood and comforted

👣 Specific points on the feet to help with colic

1. Solar plexus point is found underneath the ball of the foot in the centre. This point helps with inducing calm and relaxation.

2. Points for the head and the brain on the toes. To soothe baby from crying and pain.

3. Points for the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) are found either side of the joint on the big toe. This area can get tight from lots of crying - the hollow in your cheeks where you find your jaw hinge

4. Points for the stomach to ease up a sore tummy and help to relax.

5. Lovely technique called a ‘Bowel Sweep’ encouraging flow into the large intestine.

👣 How do I give my baby reflexology?

Qualified Reflexologists are trained in very specific techniques and spend years studying, practising and seeing clients in order to qualify. Adult reflexology is completely different from treating a baby or child. The main and very important difference is that you barely use any pressure at all and are aiming just to give some therapeutic touch to your childs feet in the form of gentle massage. Let your hands and fingers make small circles, slides and and strokes with super gentle and soft hands.

👣 When is the best time to give my baby reflexology?

• If your baby is in pain, unsettled and needs comforting you can try the techniques in this video whilst they are being held or whilst they are lying down elevated with a pillow.

• As a preventative you can try this routine at a time when they are happy and settled and see if it helps lessen the symptoms.

• Before going down for sleep may help for a more restful night.

👣 Are there times when I should not give my baby refelxology?

• If your baby is sick, they may not want to be touched, but just held and comforted. Babies who cry and pull their feet away may be telling you that your touch is unwanted and to try again another time.

• Premature babies or unwell newborns may have had blood drawn from their heels regularly and may develop an association of pain to anyone touching their feet. It would be lovely to help them overcome this association by persevering with therapeutic touch to their feet but great care and mindfulness must be taken on your part. You may want to start with gentle massage over socks or clothing at first and gradually graduate to skin to skin. If your touch is unwelcome, try again another time.

👣 Where can I give my baby a treatment?

It is lovely to find a space that is warm and comfortable for both of you but having said that, the wonderful thing about Reflexology is that it is so accessible, versatile and flexible. A treatment can be given anywhere, inside, outside, on the bus, in the park, at home. Your baby does not need to be undressed, you only need their little feet. Treatments can even be given over socks and clothing if necessary.

👣 What do I need?

Very little! If you are at home, it might be nice to use some oil, balm or lotion to allow your fingers and thumbs to glide more easily over their skin. Please read my short blog about suitable oils for baby here: http://lucysangels.co.uk/baby-massage-baby-yoga-videos/preparing-to-massage-baby-with-massage-oil

👣Last word before you try!

Reflexology must not be given in place of medical treatment. These videos are wonderful to try for babies and children with mild conditions that you feel comfortable to try and help with at home. They can also be fantastic to try in the time between being able to see a GP, Health Practitioner or a Qualified Reflexologist or Qualified Alternative Practitioner.

I really hope this helps. Please leave a comment if this video has helped you and if you have had any success. Thank you so much and good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

Baby Yoga for colic, constipation, gas and wind

Babies suffering with colic and painful trapped gas and wind will find relief through the combination of stretches and movements in Baby Yoga. Babies with tummy pain often prefer the Yoga movements over the massage as they find it less intense.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Have a go with this short video tutorial and I would love to know how you get on ♡ 

How does Baby Yoga help?

 Babies take in a lot of air when they feed or cry and the air can get trapped in the bowel. Once you have a few air bubbles stuck in the bowels, they tend to form large pockets of air that gives babies that uncomfortable hard tummy, characterised often by babies drawing their legs up towards their tummy to try and expel the gas. Doing these movements with them, we are mechanically moving the air out of babies body.

Precautions

♡  Please consider waiting for your babies 6 week check before practicing baby yoga.

♡  If you have any concerns with your babies hips please clear with your GP before trying these stretches.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed to practice this sequence of movements.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well and ready to participate. Things to consider: Are they making eye-contact, making happy cooing noises, do they seem playful?

Practicing the movements

♡  Make sure that you also feel happy and not stressed! Take a few deep breaths before you start. Shake out your arms and hands. Ask your baby if they are ready to try some fun yoga moves to help them feel better.

♡  Bring them close to you so they can see you and feel safe.

♡ Use a sing-song voice with lots of encouragement and praise. Try the song! They love to hear you singing.

♡  Only take the movements as far as baby wants to. If you come up against resistance, bounce the legs gently saying ‘relax’ and try again. All babies have different flexibility, if at any time they are uncomfortable please stop and try again another day!

When to practice and how often

♡ As a preventative to make sure those air bubbles aren’t having the opportunity to stick together and form those hard pockets of air - twice a day is very good if you can! This might be once in the morning (remember to leave 45 mins between feeds) and once in the afternoon. This will really help to get those air bubbles moving through the bowel as much as they possibly can throughout the day.

I really hope this helps. Please let me know if you have had any success. Good luck!

Love Lucy ♡