Massage for colic in newborns: how to do it correctly

Almost all newborns - about 90% to some extent suffer from intestinal colic. The reason for their occurrence is of a physiological nature and is explained by the period of adaptation of the digestive tract of the child to new conditions for him. There are many ways to alleviate the condition of the baby, and one of these effective and affordable methods is massage from colic in newborns.

Colic in newborns is a painful spastic contraction of the intestinal musculature, which occurs due to the effect of increased gas formation on the walls of the organ. Simply put, the baby produces a large number of gas bubbles inside the intestines, which press on his walls, causing spasms and pain. What is the purpose of the massage from colic in a newborn? It is necessary to accelerate the removal of gases from the digestive system, gently stimulate peristalsis, so that the children's intestines can cope with the problem on their own. When the gases come out, the baby will calm down, because there will be no more pain and no more spasms.

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Indications for the procedure

Colic is the result of the fact that the digestive system of a newborn is in a state not quite mature. Nervous and muscular regulatory mechanisms do not work well, enzyme activity is weak. Of course, all the processes will return to normal after a while, but at first the newborn has colic, from which the child suffers.

Immediately after birth, the child is offered a new type of food - breast milk or a mixture (if there is no milk). The child's body needs time, in order to regulate digestive processes, there are necessary enzymes for digestion. During this period, colic may occur in newborns.

Especially often, colic in newborns occurs with an incorrect attachment to the chest, when the baby swallows a large amount of air with milk. Also, colic may appear if the baby is at the breast for a short time and has time to suck only the initial volume of milk, which is especially rich in carbohydrates - and carbohydrates are known to cause an increase in the formation of gases.

Not the least role is played by the feeding habits of the feeding mother. It's no secret that almost everything that the mother eats and drinks is in breast milk. Many products, getting into milk, are also capable of causing colic in a newborn baby.

How to help the baby? First, it is necessary to exclude all possible causes of colic. Secondly, you need to take other supportive measures - in particular, to help come massage from colic in newborns.

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Preparation

In the room where the massage will be performed, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions - first of all, it concerns the temperature regime, so that the baby is neither cold nor hot. Before the massage, the baby's tummy should be warmed. This can be done with a warm, heated diaper, or simply put the baby on his belly on the abdomen of mom or dad - so the heat will be distributed evenly, and the baby will calm down.

To conduct a massage from colic, it is necessary that the hands of the masseur were warm - otherwise the infant will reflexively strain and become frightened.

How correctly to do massage for a tummy of the newborn from colic? The procedure is carried out on the surface of the changing table, in the crib, or even in the hands of the parents. It is desirable that the baby was in a diaper, or lay on a warm diaper - during the massage can be observed not only the passage of gases, but sometimes the secretion of feces. Use baby massage oil should not be - it reduces the effectiveness of massage with colic. It is better to not treat the skin with anything, or use a little baby powder.

Before you start a massage from colic for newborns, it's important to make sure that there is no air in the baby's stomach. For this, the baby should be vilified by a "column" and wait for a belch. This measure is especially relevant if the child has eaten not so long ago. Immediately after feeding, the massage should not be performed, as this can cause vomiting or even vomiting in the baby. Optimal wait about 40-60 minutes after eating, and only then proceed to the procedure.

It is allowed to do massage from colic for newborns five to six times a day, including for prophylaxis.

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Technique of the massage from colic in babies

Completely massage procedure for colic in newborns is no more than 6-7 minutes. As a rule, a longer massage does not bring relief to the kids, but discomfort.

The main exercises for the tummy are stroking movements, easy tingling and wavy, neat pushes. Any movements should be done clockwise - only in this direction it is possible to remove gases from the intestine outside, and also to facilitate peristalsis.

How to massage from colic in newborns?

• We put warm hands in the palms of the stomach, hold for a few seconds, so that the child is accustomed to touch.
• Without taking his hands off his tummy, moving clockwise, it is easy to press on it along the contours of the palms or in a circle. With each round of pressure, you can slightly strengthen, bypassing the liver (subcostal area on the right side).
• Holding hands on the tummy, we hold the pressure one by one with the palm, and the other.
• We palm our tummy, not forgetting the direction of the clock, and then - from above to the lower part of the tummy.
• We stroke the oblique musculature of the tummy, from the sides to the center and from the top down.
• We stroke our fingertips along the clock, as if we describe a circle or a square around the umbilical fossa.
• We move the palms up and down, in turn one and the other palm.
• We describe the circles on the tummy in the course of the clock, first one palm, and then two simultaneously.
• Further we bend knees of the kid and we bring them closely to a tummy, we keep half-minute. Usually at this time the baby gets gas.
• We stroke the legs, gently pat our tummy.

Gymnastics from colic for newborns

In addition to massage from colic in newborns, you can practice special gymnastic exercises that help improve digestive organs and strengthen muscles.

Gymnastics involves performing the following exercises with the newborn baby:

1. We put the baby back up, we plant the legs in such a way that the knees "looked" in the sides, and the heels touched. We put our palm to the feet of the child - the baby at this moment pushes. This exercise improves the activity of the intestines and helps strengthen the muscles that the infant needs to crawl.
2. We hold the baby by the chest and head, the other hand on the tummy. We simulate an airplane - we rock the baby as if flying.
3. We put the baby belly up. While holding the backrest and the head, slowly raise (as it were, sit down), then lower it to its original position.
4. Carefully roll the baby from the tummy to the back and back.
5. We put the child on the back, bend the knees. Holding one's feet with the feet of the legs, we simultaneously raise our knees.

Contraindications to the procedure

You do not need to start a massage from colic in a newborn if you have the slightest symptoms of an intestinal obstruction, a pinching of a hernia. Especially should be alerted when there are such signs:

• the belly is asymmetrical;
• Under the palm of your hand, there is a strong peristalsis not all over the tummy, but only in one part of it;
• there is no stool, there are no gases for a long time;
• newborn baby slack, skin pale;
• the baby raises the temperature;
• blood is released from the anus;
• in the navel zone, a painful densification is found;
• a newborn baby has severe long-term pain.

If there are similar signs, it is better to show the child to the doctor, and immediately.

In addition, massage from colic in newborns should not be done if the skin of the tummy has a wound, rash, etc.

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Consequences after the procedure

Any pediatrician will advise regularly to spend a baby massage with colic or for their prevention. If everything is done correctly, then there will not be any unpleasant consequences after the procedures, rather the opposite - the massage will ease the baby's well-being and strengthen the muscles of the baby's tummy.

Complications after the massage procedure are possible only if the parents ignore the contraindications and will massage even when it is strictly prohibited. To prevent the development of complications after the massage, you should carefully read the list of contraindications, and carefully examine the baby before the procedure. If everything is good, and there are no contraindications to the newborn, then you can start the massage, starting with light stroking movements.

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Care after the procedure

At the end of the procedure, several soothing strokes should be done along the clockwise direction. After this, the newborn can be put on his tummy, stroking the back, and let him rest. Diaper by this point can be removed - let the baby's skin, too, rest.

Usually doctors advise not to wait until the baby starts colic - massage can be done for preventive purposes. Just a little time - and the child will be calm. And with colic you can get rid of another problem - massage perfectly relieves constipation, strengthening the abdominal muscles and stimulating intestinal motility.

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Diet from colic in newborns

Virtually everything that mum eats, it turns out in the composition of breast milk. Therefore it is very important, at least in the first four months, to carefully choose the products for your diet. Of course, this is unlikely to help completely eliminate colic. But the condition of the baby normalizes faster - especially if, at the same time as the nutrition is adjusted, the mother will use a massage from colic in newborns.

Doctors especially do not recommend mothers to use such products:

• any dairy products;
• any beans;
• cabbage;
• raw fruits, raisins;
• sweet pastries, white bread.

By the way, it is desirable to exclude sweets for this period altogether. Sugar is not only able to provoke the appearance of colic, but it can also lead to the development of allergies, diathesis.

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Reviews

As can be judged from the numerous reviews, a properly performed massage from colic in newborns really helps, even if it is not eliminated, but it greatly alleviates the problem. However, many mothers advise: do not forget about other ways to eliminate colic, for example, the use of carminative funds. It is better to use them in combination with massage procedures. As such a means, like pharmaceutical preparations (Espumizan, Bobotik), and home remedies (dill seed or fennel seed, chamomile tea) are suitable.

It rarely happens that massage from colic in newborns does not bring an effect. But, if it is so, then it is necessary to consult a pediatrician.