Babies tend to get sick quite often throughout the year. In fact, it is estimated that a healthy baby falls ill between 6 and 8 times a year, which is largely due to the fact that her immune system is still very immature, so that she is more vulnerable to being infected with bacteria and viruses from
Sometimes they are serious illnesses, such as respiratory infections, which are very common at these ages, but other times they are just temporary ailments, such as a stomach ache or constipation. In the latter cases, the reflexology may be helpful to relieve the discomfort of babies.
7 massages to relieve your baby’s discomfort
Foot reflexology is a very old therapeutic technique that is based on the stimulation of certain points on the feet, called reflex zones, to which each of the parts or organs of the body correspond. According to this technique, just massaging the reflex areas that correspond to the affected organ can make babies feel better.
Here are some massages that you can apply to your baby to alleviate some common ailments, although it is important that you know that these techniques do not replace professional medical activity.
1. Massage on the tips of the toes
Right where the toes end, at the very tip, are the reflex zones linked to the baby’s head and teeth. Therefore, a light massage in this area can be very effective when the little one is getting his first teeth and his gums hurt.
2. Massage at the base of the toes
The base of the toes is the reflex zone of the paranasal sinuses, a set of cavities that are found on both sides of the nose and in its upper part, and that participate, among other functions, in breathing and smell. By applying a little pressure to this area you can help your baby breathe better when it is congested at the nasal level.
3. Massage on the top of the sole of the foot
Respiratory diseases are one of the most common in babies, so it will be very useful to know how to relieve congestion in your little one and help him expel mucus. The solution is simple: just massage the top of the sole of the foot, just below where the toes start, since this is the reflex zone of the lungs.
4. Massage in the upper center of the sole of the foot
At this point the solar plexus, a nerve network behind the abdomen, is reflected and is involved in many of the baby’s metabolic functions. A light massage in this area, exerting a little pressure while gently moving your fingers in a circular motion, can relieve tension in the solar plexus area, help calm irritability, and stimulate the functioning of the gastrointestinal system.
5. Massage in the upper middle part of the sole of the foot
The upper abdomen reflex zone is located in the upper middle part of the sole of the foot. So if your baby is constipated and has abdominal discomfort from this cause, you can help release that tension by applying a gentle clockwise massage to this area.
6. Massage in the lower middle part of the sole of the foot
Without a doubt, this is one of the most useful massages since the reflex zone of the lower abdomen is located in this area. So if your baby suffers from gas and intestinal problems frequently, you can give him a light massage in this area to help him expel gas and facilitate intestinal transit.
7. Foot heel massage
The heel of the foot reflects the area of the pelvis and the upper part of the baby’s legs. So if your baby suffers discomfort in that area or the muscles of the legs hurt, you can give him a circular massage in the heel area to help calm the pain.
