Facing her, I use two or three fingers, and start on her right side of her abdomen up at her ribs. I trace an “I” going down her abdomen to her …
But if you want to know for sure, we have the answer with our Baby Massage for Gas i Love You guide. Facing her, I use two or three fingers, and start on her right side of her abdomen up at her ribs. I trace an “I” going down her abdomen to her …
This is the perfect gift for any new mom! It’s like having a baby massage professional right after delivery. Facing her, I use two or three fingers, and start on her right side of her abdomen up at her ribs. I trace an “I” going down her abdomen to her pubic bone, then go back up. Repeat this step twice as well. Then I do the same to the left side of her torso.
We start and end every session with your baby face-to-face, because your baby is the one who ultimately controls the massage. Facing her, I use two or three fingers, and start on her right side of her abdomen up at her ribs. I trace an “I” going down her abdomen to her left side and back up again. This technique helps get gas out of the intestines without pushing too hard.
Hi I really love your videos and I want to know if it’s okay to massage baby belly while she is lying down, as a way to help gas. The only time she gets gas is when she’s sitting or on her side with her legs straight or bent. Also her massages give us great bonding time!
Baby Tummy Massage For Gas Relief
Do you know how do to the “I love you” baby massage for gassy tummies? Keep reading to learn how!
All of our babies make it to about the two week mark before experiencing the dreaded gassy tummy. With the first, I had no idea what I was doing. With the second, I did a little research and decided to cut dairy from my diet.
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It made a difference, but her poor tummy was still super gassy. With the third, I cut the milk immediately and researched even more.
Somebody (I have no idea who) told me and showed me the “I love you” baby massage and we didn’t look back.
With Baby B, I cut the dairy and gluten and it helped even more, but she still needed those tummy massages.
In fact, now that she is getting table food, those massages come in handy for other tummy issues.
I wanted to share a massage video, and then thought, nope, no babies sans clothes so hopefully, text will do!
For her massages, we started with baby lotion we had on hand and that worked okay, but then we tested out the Baby Mantra calming massage oil
It’s much easier for our hands to glide on her skin and leaves it gently scented.
I start with my baby on a clean surface such as the floor. I pour a little of the massage oil onto my hands and make sure it gets all the way to my finger tips.
Making the “I”
Facing her, I use two or three fingers, and start on her right side of her abdomen up at her ribs. I trace an “I” going down her abdomen to her hip joint.
Then, I move slightly to to her left and repeat going all the way across her body.
Making the “L”
Going across her abdomen from her right to left, I form the long side of an “L”.
Then I make a 90-degree turn and go down her side of her abdomen to complete the “L.”
Making the “U”
Starting at her right hip bone, go up to her ribs, then go across her tummy in a continuous motion, and back down her left side her her abdomen back down to her left hip
Baby Tummy Massage For Constipation
Gas may be a natural element of infant development, but it can still be uncomfortable for babies and frustrating for their parents. While this problem can be difficult to treat, common solutions include burping newborns and holding them upright after feedings.
To help their babies find relief, parents may look to alternate solutions, such as gas drops, gripe water, or herbal supplements. However, these aren’t always effective and can sometimes be harmful in. Performed correctly, infant massage can be a safer option to get gas moving, while also promoting stronger bonding between parents and their babies.
How to Massage Your Baby to Help Relieve Gas
Infant massages focused on gas relief may look a bit different than conventional baby massages. Traditional massage tends to be less focused and involves a lot less pressure. Use the following steps to determine when and how to safely give your baby a massage to relieve gas:
Consult your doctor. If you suspect that your baby has significant health issues prompting gas, check with a doctor before beginning a massage regimen. Depending on the issue, other remedies may prove more effective. Otherwise, your doctor can provide suggestions for administering a safe massage.
Massage at the right time. Avoid massages right after feedings, as these can cause vomiting. Massaging tends to be most effective as a gas preventative measure if your baby is already calm. Many parents prefer to incorporate massages in their babies’ nighttime routine to promote a peaceful atmosphere to help them fall asleep.
Use oil safely. Some parents prefer to massage their babies while using oil, which reduces friction. But, this is not required. Select an edible oil that will be safe if your baby accidentally consumes it. Coconut oil is a great option, but products marketed to infants may also work, depending on the ingredients. Be sure to test it on a small patch of skin to determine whether allergies might be a problem.
Techniques for a safe baby massage. Use some of these techniques when you’re giving your baby a massage:
- Paddling. This basic massage uses the sides of the hand, moving them one at a time from your baby’s rib cage to pelvis. As soon as one hand reaches the bottom of the massage area, the other should already be starting to move down from the ribs.
- Bicycle legs. A common gas-relieving technique among new parents, bicycle legs look exactly as they sound: your baby will appear to be riding a tiny bike. Place your baby in a reclined position with bent legs. Hold one foot or leg in each hand and create slow vertical circles, bending the knee in and stretching the leg back out, one side at a time. Watch your infant carefully for a response and stop if your baby appears uncomfortable.
- “I love you” technique. This massage approach can bring quick relief for a gassy tummy. Use your hand to trace an upside-down letter ‘I’ on the left side of your babies’ belly. Follow with an upside-down ‘L,’ again beginning on the left side of the tummy and moving across. The final step calls for an upside-down ‘U,’ which will cross over your babies’ tummy.
- Hands of the clock. Involving strategic, continuous circles, this style of massage moves left to right from your perspective (or for your baby, right to left) to move gas through the intestinal tract and towards the bowel. Use your right hand to massage slowly in a clockwise motion, while your left hand begins at 10 o’clock and moves in a crescent shape until reaching 5 o’clock.
Why Massages Help Babies With Gas
The above massages were designed for infant gas relief because they aim to get trapped air moving through the body. They can also be deeply relaxing, which makes them worthwhile even if they are not successful with preventing or resolving gas. What’s more, parents find that massages make them enjoy childrearing more, regardless of whether their babies are currently suffering gas, colic, or other problematic conditions.
Some studies suggest that infant massage may help to increase insulin levels or activity of the vagus nerve. This, in turn, can reduce gastric mobility and promote efficient nutrient absorption. Conflicting research exists for these effects, but experts believe that the duration of massage as a gas remedy may impact its efficacy in both studies and the general public.