Your baby’s tummy massage will help to soothe them and calm them down, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to bond with your baby. Place your forefinger near your baby’s belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing. Hold her tummy to finish. The warmth of your hands will help soothe and calm your baby
Place your forefinger near your baby’s belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing. Hold her tummy to finish. The warmth of your hands will help soothe and calm your baby.
This massage is designed to soothe and calm your newborn baby. Place your forefinger near your baby’s belly button, and begin to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing. Hold her tummy to finish. The warmth of your hands will help soothe and calm your baby
If your baby is crying in distress, making her feel held and warmed with a gentle tummy massage can help calm her down. Hold her in an upright position, slide your hand under the nappy (so it gently covers the bottom). Place your forefinger near your baby’s belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing.
To offer your baby a gentle massage, place your forefinger near her belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing.
Newborn Tummy Massage For Constipation
- Digestion massage can help your baby with any of the following:
- Colic
- Constipation
- Excessive wind
- Tummy troubles in generalYou can give your baby this massage from six weeks onwards. All you need to get started is a warm, quiet and calming environment and some good-quality baby massage cream or oil that’s suitable for your baby’s delicate skin.
2 / 9Before you begin1. Time it right: don’t try to massage your baby just before or after a meal, or when she needs a nap.2. Remove any jewellery that may catch, rub or irritate your baby’s skin.3. Place your baby on a soft, warm towel in the centre of the bed or on the floor.4. Rub the cream or oil in your hands before touching your baby, to warm both your hands and the cream.5. Watch your baby’s reaction to each movement and if she doesn’t like something, stop what you’re doing and give her a cuddle instead.
3 / 9Tummy spirals onePlace your forefinger near your baby’s belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing. Hold her tummy to finish. The warmth of your hands will help soothe and calm your baby.
4 / 9Tummy spirals twoWhen you are doing tummy spirals, always make sure you’re moving your hands in a clockwise, circular motion. This follows your baby’s line of digestion and helps to create internal movement.
5 / 9Toes to nosePlace your baby’s feet together, soles touching. Holding this shape, rock your baby’s feet as far towards her nose as is comfortable for her, before returning to the starting position. And repeat. This technique is really great for shifting stubborn wind.
6 / 9TwistsStraighten your baby’s legs or bend her knees and slowly rock her hips from side to side, aiming to keep her top half flat on the floor. This really squeezes the digestive system, helping constipation in particular.
7 / 9JumpingHolding your baby’s feet, gently push her knees up to her belly button before straightening her legs out again, as if she were doing a little jump. Repeat this action in a rhythmic manner. This can be an effective way of releasing wind immediately!
8 / 9Thumb circlesMassage the palms of your baby’s hands and the soles of her feet by moving your thumbs in a circular motion. You can also do this during feeding to soothe your baby’s digestive system and calm her. It can encourage her to swallow less air while she’s feeding, which may result in less wind later on!
9 / 9More baby massagesIf you and your baby enjoyed this digestion massage, why not try one of our other baby massage techniques?
Baby Tummy Massage I Love You
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.
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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.
How to Tell If Your Baby Has Gas
Gas is a common problem for newborns but can continue into later infanthood as babies start eating solids. How the gas presents itself may depend somewhat on the baby’s age, but common signs include arching the back, pulling the legs up to the stomach, and general squirminess. Some parents report that their babies’ cries sound different when they are gassy compared to when they are hungry or have dirty diapers.