difficulty with digestion. Constipation occurs for
everyone at some time in their life, but can cause pain and
discomfort for your baby. There are many different methods
you can try to help relieve this discomfort however; I have
found infant massage specifically for constipation to be
very effective.
Massage can be used to help encourage your baby's bowels to
move. Before starting any massage for baby:
- Make sure the room is warm enough (especially if removing
baby's clothing)
- Relax yourself
- Warm your hands by rubbing them together
- Ask baby's permission to start massage by making eye
contact and verbally asking out loud "Is it okay if I
massage your Tummy?"
You can massage over clothing, but for tummy massage, I
would recommend you use a little oil and massage directly
on the skin. The warmth of skin to skin contact can be
very helpful for constipation as well.
For oil, use all natural vegetable or fruit based oil,
something edible. Good choices that you may already have
at home include grape seed oil or olive oil. Put a small
drop of oil in your hands, about the size of a coin, and
rub together to warm. Show baby what you are doing, he'll
start to associate the sight and sound with what comes next.
When doing these massage strokes, use a firm but gentle
pressure. Always check in with your baby to make sure he
likes the massage. Feel free to try a lighter pressure,
use a different stroke or just stop if he's done.
To massage your baby's tummy, place warmed hands on tummy
at or below the belly button. I know it's a small space,
but important to target the bowels. Using flat palms
gently stroke downward, using hand over hand, a paddling
type motion. Next moving hands in a clockwise motion,
(very important to move clockwise – if you go the wrong
way, you'll create more issues), stroke baby's tummy in a
circle.
Now we'll do a 3-part stroke called I Love You!
With baby laying on the floor facing you: (remember
clockwise motion)
1. First trace the letter "I" on baby's left side
2. Next draw an "L" starting on baby's right side, across
the top of the tummy and down baby's left side
3. Then draw an upside-down "U"
Finish on the tummy by stroking down with warmed flat hands
a few times.
During tummy massage your baby may have a bowel movement or
release some air – great! You may wish to leave his diaper
off during the massage session. Babies like to have the
freedom of movement they gain without a diaper, so if you
decide to leave it off, just have something underneath in
case of any accidents.
About the Author:
Looking for expert advice, tips and tools to help improve
your child's health? Find answers to all your questions
about infant massage instruction training, massage for
children and pediatric massage therapy at
http://www.liddleki
Trainer, Tina Allen, founder of leading children's health
and nurturing touch organization Liddle Kidz™, shares over
ten years of expertise working with children and families.
