A gentle baby massage is a wonderful way to strengthen the bond between parent and child and promote the baby's well-being. In the following, however, we will focus specifically on how massaging the tummy can also help the baby to reduce flatulence and discomfort. Abdominal pain to "get rid of" it. Or at least to alleviate this discomfort.
The baby's digestive system can be helped in this way as soon as the baby's navel has fallen off. However, there are some situations in which a baby or abdominal massage is not recommended. For example
- on the day of a vaccination,
- during an acute infectious illness or if the child has a fever (over 38 degrees),
- in the case of an umbilical or inguinal hernia.
The preparation
It is best to perform the abdominal massage on your bare belly. This should of course be done in a well-tempered room (about 24 degrees) or at least under a heat lamp. Your child will also need a Soft underlayon which it can lie comfortably on its back. Many mothers use the changing table for a tummy massage. However, some also sit on their bed, the floor or the sofa with their legs stretched out and place their child on their legs. This also allows you to look at both of them. Simply try out which starting position is comfortable for you. In addition Dimmed light in the room creates a calming atmosphere for the little one.
Also set for the massage Baby oil ready. Almond or jojoba oil, for example, are suitable. Babies with flatulence can also be given Caraway oil help. However, I recommend that you use this not pure but with baby oil. dilute (in a ratio of 1 drop of caraway oil to 9 drops of baby oil). Parents are often offered a so-called "four winds oil" for massage for children with digestive problems. Essential oils of caraway, aniseed, coriander and fennel are already added to a vegetable oil.
You probably already have experience of what generally helps your child to relax. Does it like Quiet background noise from the loudspeaker (e.g. the gentle sound of waves on the sea) or calm music? Or does it relax best if you hum or sing softly to him yourself? Anything that increases the baby's well-being is allowed and even encouraged during the massage.
In this context, it also depends on the Time of the massage on. If possible, choose a time when you are with your baby and your child is awake and calm. This could be after a bath or before bedtime, for example - although some babies cry a lot towards the evening. This would of course be an unfavourable time, as a crying child's tummy is very tense and will not react positively to a massage. Therefore, carry it around for a while until it has calmed down and can be put down.
You yourself should also be as relaxed as possible, when you massage your child. Babies have very fine antennae for the tension of their parents. So feel your body beforehand to see if anything still feels tense. Perhaps your shoulders? Then pull them up to your ears as you inhale and consciously release them as you exhale. After three or four repetitions, you will notice how everything loosens up. Breathe deeply into your belly without rushing, this will also calm you down. You can also moan a little as you breathe out - it will do you good!
Before you get down to business: make sure that you short fingernails have. Cut them if necessary and also file them so that any points do not scratch the baby's skin. And finally: don't forget to carefully Hand washing before the massage.
The baby should also be prepared for the upcoming massage. Talk to him soothingly and lovingly when he is lying on the mat and slowly and gently release his tummy. Tell him in a low voice that you are going to massage him now and how good it will feel. If the child struggles, writhes, turns away or cries, simply pick them up again so that they can calm down. You can then start again - or postpone the massage until another more favourable time. Just trust your judgement and don't try to force anything!
Performing the abdominal massage for babies
Moisten your hands with a few drops of the prepared massage oil and rub your palms together for a little while to warm them up. Because a baby bump, which may already have problems anyway, doesn't like cold hands at all!
The child is now lying directly in front of you and looking at you. Try to position it so that its legs are slightly bent. This position relaxes the baby's abdominal wall and helps it to enjoy the abdominal massage more. You can use various one-handed or two-handed techniques for the baby tummy massage:
With the flat of your hand: First place your warm hand on baby's tummy to the right of the navel and leave it there for a few seconds. This allows the baby to get used to this touch. Then move your hand clockwise slowly and with very little pressure around your child's tummy. So you start at "hour 3" (the right side of your child's tummy from your point of view) and then move in a circle over 6 o'clock (just above the pubic bone), 9 o'clock (left side of the tummy) and 12 o'clock (just below the small of the ribcage) back to "hour 3". Without stopping, continue from there in a clockwise direction for about six to ten rounds.
Why does it always have to be clockwise? Quite simply, this direction corresponds to the undulating intestinal movements that mix the food in the digestive tract and transport it towards the exit. It therefore always moves in a clockwise direction, which supports this abdominal massage. At the same time, agonising air in the child's bowel is transported to the anus, where it makes itself felt as a relieving fart. Flatulence Goodbye!
With both hands: This technique is similar to turning a wheel. One hand gently strokes downwards in a straight line from the child's ribcage to the pubic bone. As it rises again and returns to the starting point, the other hand strokes just as gently over the abdomen from top to bottom. This is always done alternately: one hand lifts just before the pubic bone, the other strokes straight down. Six passes are sufficient for this technique.
As a snail shell with the thumb: The starting point is the small belly button, around which the thumb or two or three fingers massage a small circle with light pressure. As soon as one round has been completed, the next circle becomes slightly larger, then larger still and larger until the top of the ribcage, the bottom of the pubic bone and the right and left sides of the child's abdomen are reached. From there, the gentle, slow snail ride continues back down in ever smaller spirals to the belly button. You can repeat this technique six times.
Carousel ride with legs and pelvis: In this way, you help the baby to massage itself, so to speak. And it works like this: Gently press the baby's bent legs towards the tummy so that the thighs are lightly touching the tummy wall. Hold this position for a few seconds and then slowly release the bent legs from there. clockwise circle. You will notice that baby's pelvis moves with it. After a maximum of six 'rounds', gently lower the legs again.
Cycling with your legs: You're probably already familiar with this - the child's legs are alternately raised and lowered so that the thigh is quietly touching the abdominal wall in an angled position. Babies always love this kind of cycling, even if they don't have tummy problems. It is also good for them as an "interlude" between the individual massage techniques and relieves many a fart.
The following applies to all techniques: Introduce them slowly, i.e. only for a few minutes the first time, until your child has gradually got used to them. And always pay attention to your child's reactions during each massage or exercise, even if you talk to them or hum to them. It may well be that the baby starts to cry. However, this is no reason to stop the massage immediately, as babies sometimes cry when they become tense. In such situations, it is also important to feel whether the crying is a kind of release of tension - or whether it is resistance to the massage. If this is the case, end the massage and try again another time.
At the end of an abdominal massage leave your warm hands on baby's tummy for a little longer without applying any pressure. This gentle signal signifies the end of the massage. If your baby has tolerated it, he or she only needs one thing afterwards: you! So gently lift your child up and hold it very close and calmly against your body. This is the best way for your little one to rest. It also strengthens your bond and lets you both feel what a uniquely good team you are!
As a midwife, I am there to support you: Do you still feel unsure about these massage techniques - or would you like to learn how to massage your baby's whole body? Then the Online baby massage course is perfect for you. It will teach you how to relax your baby from head to toe in the comfort of your own home. You can also ask me your questions at any time and exchange ideas with other parents.
