Ten Toes to Tickle! Reflexology for Babies
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Who knew piggies could help with colds, teething and constipation? Chances are you’ve snuggled a tiny foot in the palm of your hand, next time use the ancient therapy of reflexology to help your baby find comfort.
Before you begin:
Nails should be well trimmed so as not to scratch delicate skin. Watch your baby for signs of discomfort, if they resist then try again later. There is no need to press hard against the sole of their foot, slight pressure will be sufficient.
Begin at the heel and gently press the pad of your thumb to the bottom of her foot, inching your way up to each toe in a line and giving the corresponding toe a gentle rotation and squeeze. This is called “thumb walking” and is the first basic step in reflexology, helping your baby to relax before you begin the treatment.
Try these techniques to help with:
Teething:
So cute when they finally pop out, those tiny buds can bother even the calmest baby. To relieve discomfort, gently rub the top of the base of each of toe up to the knuckle for up to five minutes.
Stuffy head:
Red noses belong on reindeer, not on babies. To help your little one clear up congestion, rub each toe in turn. Applying gentle pressure, run your fingers up the top of their foot, following the muscles to mid-foot for as long as your baby will allow or to fifteen minutes, two to three times a week.
Constipation:
A baby’s digestive process is a funny thing. One minute they’re exploding all over the furniture and your mother-in-law and the next they’re corked up tight. To help a sore tummy, rub a line bisecting the foot between the ball and heel, right to left. Press against the soft dip under the ball of the foot of the baby’s left foot, rotating your thumb gently.
To finish your treatment, run your hands over their foot and give a soft squeeze. Oh heck, go ahead and nibble a toe too-who could resist?
MrsH says...
Wow, thanks for this Stacy!
Rebecca Laffar-Smith says...
What a brilliant idea! We’re often playing with feet in my house, even with my youngest now being three. It can be such a warm bonding experience to snuggle down with a set of fresh, washed toes. I’ll remember to use some of these fantastic reflexology ideas next time, instead of just tickling tootsies.
Bea Kunz says...
Who better than you Stace to to write about babies.
How sweet and cool!
We have a new grand-daughter…my stepson and wife have a 5 day old baby girl…9.13 pounds…healthy girl! Cloe Ann…pretty red hair.
I’ll pass along the info.
Bea Kunz
benben says...
Defining Reflexology
Medical Reflexology is a complementary, biological, integrative health science, through which an exercise pressure is applied to reflex areas, formed by 7,200 nerve endings in each hand and foot, encouraging improved instruction to each and every single gland, organ and part of the body, Thus Persuading the body to biologically correct, strengthen, and reinforce itself, to reach balance, normalization, and homeostasis.
The statement below is from the outstanding term paper of Student, with permission to publish, thank-you for sharing & inspiring other’s, Julia:
Julia Pomeroy, RN. Clincal experience in rehabilitation nursing and skilled nursing. Administrative experience in long term care MDS coordination:
This is quite a definition. It is concise, precise and expressive enough to give the reader a visual tool. Within this definition one can find science, research, treatment instruction, and outcome. Thousands of years of documented history have gone into this definition. Historically, scientific methodology has been heralded as the only way to be sure of research. Within this definition, there is the understanding that the scientific modality of research has been applied; those parts being observation, hypothesis, prediction, test and result.
Thus, by working on one part of the body (foot area) there is an effect on another. The goals of reflexology are to re-educate, re-pattern and re-condition the nerves through the neural/electrical system of the body. The sole purpose of the nerves is to instruct the body (simply put, to tell the body what to do), when the nerves improve, the instruction improves, the body must improve, thus, an overall health enhancement therapy program of Medical Reflexology.
Stacey says...
Thank you all for your comments! Bea, what wonderful news! Please give her a cuddle from me and the girls!
benben, thank you so much for your added education on the benefits of reflexology.:)