Our digestive health is single handedly one of the most significant indicators of our health, so it is no surprise that parents and all the postpartum professionals become hyper focused on baby’s digestive health. Gas, colic, constipation, even reflux are very common in the first year of baby’s life. I often read about natural interventions for addressing these issues to bring a baby more comfort but rarely see (or hear) massage as a holistic, effective treatment. I, firsthand, witnessed what massage could do for a child crying in gas pain (see video). She woke up at midnight screaming, and we recalled our daycare provider saying she had eaten a lot of sweet potatoes. Listen to my telling the story of what happens next! And keep in mind that my daughter was two at the time! And I’ve witnessed the benefits of massaging baby for digestive health time and time again with not only my own children but also hundreds of clients. In my digital and in-person course, I teach half a dozen strokes to either maintain healthy digestion or resolve digestion related issues. These are highly effective and loved by parents, including one that is lovingly called “the toot button”.
With only ten minutes a day, you can use the tool at your fingertips to calm your baby and improve his or her health all in a safe and effective way, saving time, money, and a lot of heartache. There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Always complete tummy strokes in a clockwise manner, never counterclockwise.
- Always wait 20-30 minutes after a feeding to massage the tummy.
- Be ready for elimination during or shortly after the massage.
- Be ready for a feeding after massage as baby will be hungry.
Interested in resolving gas/colic/reflux immediately? Check out our Mini Gas/Colic Course.
