Wind, Colic and Constipation — Can Baby Massage Help?
Wind, colic and constipation are ailments not infrequently related to babies. More often than not, these ailments are thought to be ‘just part of childhood’ and ‘something that the baby will grow out of’. While some people have some awareness of the general benefits of baby massage, many do not realise its potential to provide relief for these conditions.
A little bit about colic…
There is some conjecture in the medical profession of how colic is defined. More often than not, colic is used to describe babies who are unsettled and cry often, while simultaneously seeming uncomfortable and irritable.
Other definitions show colic to be painful wind in the abdominal region or spasms of the intestines, which take an infant many months to recover from if no assistance is provided. Some literature suggests that colic can begin from as early as two weeks of age and last to the age of four or five months.
Symptoms of colic:
If a child has colic, they may exhibit symptoms which may include:
- A cry that is painful and lasts for many hours each day
- Grabbing and pulling their legs towards their abdomen
- Commonly crying at the same time each day (generally late afternoon/early evening)
- A swollen and firm abdomen when a bout of colic is being experienced.
Causes of colic:
There is no generally accepted and proven cause of colic. Some believe that colic arises because the baby’s digestive system is too immature, wind is trapped, the baby is lactose intolerant or there is a problem with the positioning of the baby’s spine.
How can massage help?
Although there is no one cause for colic, baby massage as a treatment for colic is increasingly gaining popularity and respect. It is possible that massage techniques performed on the abdomen area on a regular basis can help to relieve the symptoms of colic. Some evidence suggests that an improvement can be noticed in two to four weeks. Baby massage techniques need to be acquired with the experience and guidance of a trained professional.
What about wind and constipation?
As with colic, baby massage techniques can be used to help relieve babies with general abdominal wind and constipation. There are particular massage strokes that are effective to use to assist infants in this situation and many parents find that the use of a baby massage oil can make the experience all the more pleasant for the baby and parent. Any massage products and techniques should be use in conjunction with professional advice.
Baby massage can be so effective for babies with constipation that it is not uncommon that a baby will have a bowel movement the same day that the massage is administered; it is also quite common for this to occur within minutes of the massage being given.
Baby massage has many physical, psychological and emotional benefits. Parents who have children with colic, wind or constipation often feel at a loss and do not know what to do to help their child. Parents will often turn to medications and while this may be necessary and appropriate in some cases, it is possible that many more infants could be treated effectively for these complaints with regular baby massage.
Taking the time to learn these techniques through the appropriate channels can lead to numerous health benefits for both parents and babies.