| It is important for parents to identify what they believe | | | | massage can have huge benefits for babies that |
| triggers their baby’s colic and respond to it. The | | | | suffer with excessive or trapped wind or constipation |
| key to calming a baby is to observe its cues, listen to | | | | as massage supports the movement their digestive |
| its needs and try a variety of techniques to soothe | | | | system. |
| and settle. Some techniques may not be appropriate | | | | Some babies may find the sensation of air moving |
| but we can eliminate those and focus on those that | | | | around the stomach uncomfortable however and can |
| lead to success. | | | | become tense. If this happens it is up to you as the |
| How and why baby massage works? | | | | parent to know whether to continue the massage. The |
| Massage helps in a number of ways; | | | | effect of releasing air trapped in your baby’s |
| • It helps to eliminate wind from baby’s body; | | | | tummy will help relieve your baby of the pain |
| • It can help to produce “feel good | | | | associated with trapped wind. You may feel that this |
| hormones” helping baby to relax and reducing levels | | | | may outweigh any minor discomfort your baby feels |
| of stress hormones; | | | | moving the air around his stomach. As your baby |
| • It can help to mature the digestive and nervous | | | | becomes more familiar with sensations of stomach |
| systems by helping to tone the digestive tract and aid | | | | massage he will not be as sensitive to the strokes. |
| the process of myelination of nerve cells for better | | | | Normally if a baby starts to cry during a massage then |
| brain body communication. | | | | this could be a sign that the baby has had enough |
| Most importantly baby massage gives you the | | | | massage however in the case of massage for colic it |
| opportunity to listen, observe and communicate with | | | | may be appropriate to continue the massage as the |
| your baby. Your baby ultimately needs your trust, love | | | | effect of massaging may be to release the trapped |
| and respect to make him feel secure and comfortable | | | | wind causing the pain. You are the best judge of what |
| outside the womb. By communicating this through | | | | your baby needs. |
| massage and offering your baby the skin to skin | | | | Ideally to get the most effective results you should try |
| contact he craves you will be able to soothe and | | | | to practice the tummy massage or colic massage |
| reassure him. | | | | routine twice a day, preferably in the morning and late |
| Tummy Massage | | | | afternoon. You should try to make this part of |
| The stomach can be quite a sensitive area to | | | | baby’s daily care routine. Results will not be instant |
| massage. Massaging the stomach can aid the | | | | in every case and you should aim to repeat the |
| passage of any trapped air bubbles in your baby’s | | | | massage for at least two week to help digestion. |
| tummy and intestines towards the bowel. Stomach | | | | |