Foot reflexology applied to babies can be an excellent tool to reduce small, big, daily ailments of newborns. Here is how to do the massage and the points indicated according to the different problem.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousLa foot reflexology applied to babies, it can be an excellent tool to reduce small, big, daily ailments of newborns. Here is how to do the massage and the points indicated according to the different problem.
La foot reflexology it is an excellent natural technique to rebalance our body and treat small ailments. It can be practiced, obviously with delicacy and with all the necessary precautions, even on babies and children. We discover all the benefits and the points to massage on the feet of our little ones to make them feel better, even, for example, when they start crying from the so-called colic.
Massaging the feet is a relaxing and beneficial system to stimulate nerve endings and consequently reach organs and other areas of the body that would be reflected on the sole but also on the back of both feet. Knowing the foot reflexology map it is possible to treat the entire body and tone the system.
All this is also true for newborns who can benefit from gentle massages to be performed on specific points, identified according to the problem to be treated. This type of reflexology is particularly suitable for children from birth up to 2 years, when disturbances frequently appear that make the little ones restless: colic, appearance of the teeth, reflux, constipation, etc.
Index
Benefits for Newborns
This technique can be used to promote the natural healing of the body of the little ones in case of common ailments (this obviously does not replace the opinion of the pediatrician and the possible use of drugs or other remedies) but also as a preventive tool to guarantee a greater degree of well-being for babies and small children.
Foot reflexology is able to help digestion, reduce intestinal gas, alleviate pain, stimulate circulation, relax the nervous system, increase the natural defenses of our body and it is therefore a natural system that can be experienced in case of :
- colic
- reflux
- constipation
- painful teething
- restless sleep
- cold
The benefits could be immediate or rapid (young children generally respond quickly enough to stimulation) or slower. However, continue for a few weeks to see the long-term effect.
How to practice massage
To harness the power of reflexology on infants and children, it is necessary to use gentle movements. In case of recurring problems, such as reflux or colic, massage can also be practiced every day for several weeks and when the situation improves it can be reduced to a couple of times a week.
The advantage is that the massage can be performed at any time and place: when the baby is in the arms, tied on the seat in the car, in the cradle or bed, etc. The best times, however, are when he sleeps, while he eats, is taking a bath or is in a band.
However, it is good that the child is in a moment of relaxation. If you notice movements of the feet as if to free himself (a sign that he does not like it) it is better to stop and try to carry out the stimulation at another time.
We proceed by starting with gentle massages on the whole foot to be carried out with the thumb on the sole while the other fingers will have a support function. After a short massage / caress on the whole foot, you need to focus on the area that you want to stimulate the most depending on the problem.
At this point it is important to know the fundamental points.
Foot points from massaging
Depending on the goal you want to achieve, specific points of the foot will be massaged.
Let's see the most frequent situations and the related areas of the foot one by one:
Teething (area of the head and teeth)
Teething can cause major ailments to the little ones and also lead to side effects such as fever and diarrhea as well as inflamed gums and pain. After massaging the sole of the foot quickly as a warm-up, concentrate with a massage of about 5 minutes on the points that correspond to the teeth or the fingertips.
Cold (sinus area and lung area)
Massaging the area corresponding to the sinuses can help in case of a cold, stuffy nose or sinusitis. It is also possible to stimulate the part of the foot which, reflexologically speaking, corresponds to the bronchi and lungs, that is the one immediately below the junction of the toes.
Promote relaxation (solar plexus area)
The solar plexus point can be massaged to relax the child to the maximum, favoring nighttime rest but also as part of a treatment aimed at improving digestive functions.
Reflux and constipation (upper abdomen)
Massaging the foot regularly can help relieve the reflux problem and improve any constipation problem.
The area of the foot to be treated is that which corresponds to the upper part of the abdomen. This will also improve digestive functions and relieve any heartburn.
Colic (lower abdomen)
A gentle 5-minute massage on the foot can help relieve colic. It should be massaged from the base to the point where the toes join the foot, thus covering the pelvic and abdominal areas. You can use your right thumb to work on the entire affected area by making a gentle step 2 or 3 times.
Improving circulation in these areas helps the absorption of nutrients in the digestive system and the elimination of waste. In some cases, the baby's intestines may also be heard bubbling, a sign that the massage is working.
Posture problems (pelvic area / pelvis)
The lower part of the sole of the foot corresponds to the pelvic area and the hips, so it can be massaged in case the little one has some posture problems but the stimulation can also help in case of constipation.
To get an idea of how the massage takes place, watch these videos:
Warnings and contraindications
It is advisable never to massage children in case of fever or the presence of mycosis on the feet. Furthermore, as we have already said, it is important that the newborn is in a moment of relaxation and therefore accepts the stimulation well.
You can try to use the massage also to calm the crying, but if you see excessive upset or that the little one kicks too much better avoid (at least at that moment). The feet must obviously be bare and the climate of the place where the massage is performed is comfortable.
For those wishing to learn more, in each city and the clinics themselves organize courses on neonatal massage. There are also several books available that deal with the topic of reflexology applied to children such as "Reflexology for children" by Kunz published by Xenia or Massage to the child, love massage by Vimal McClure.
