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Baby
Massage - A Cure for Colic
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by:
Lucy Curran
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Colic
hurts. Any parent who has an affected child will know that there is
almost no pain like it – the physical and vocal response to the problem
can be highly tiring and its very difficult to stand by and cope as a
parent. It’s often tough to ask – what the hell is going on inside my
baby?! When the problem arises, as it’s so common and many health
visitors expect parents to be aware of the nature of the affliction and
how to deal with it.
The fact is: NOBODY knows what colic is, it was thought for a time to
be a intestinal problem, and related to trapped wind, but the only
thing that even the medical profession know about the cause of such
pain is that is causes up to three hours of crying a day, for more than
three or four days a week. Your baby isn’t alone either: 20% of
children, males and females, suffer colic as infants; usually when they
are but a few months old. Apart from the application of gripewater: a,
shall we say, interestingly flavoured product; there was for many, many
years no cure for this elusive problem…. Until now…
Many parents instinctively rub their children when they are in pain. We
all know that, just as we need to massage our limbs when we get cramp,
they need physical stimulation so that blood flow and wind movements
can be righted. Baby massage allows for intense and structured contact
with colic afflicted babies – and has been accredited to the
dissolution problem completely.
Flowing from the head to the toes, this specialist form of massage sees
babies have full, much needed skin to skin contact with their
caregiver; a soothing prospect for those suffering pain. A particularly
encouraged technique for parents of colicky babies is the stomach
massage, which sees the masseuse rub the babies belly in a gentle,
circular motion beneath the rib cage, an action that encourages the
correct movement of digested food through the body.
Classes teaching baby massage techniques are available worldwide, as
many families have now begun to reap the benefits of the special, quiet
times massage allows them to spend with their children. The BBC
recently ran an article on the enriching quality of the exercise for
mothers who have suffered from post-natal depression and their babies,
noting that the bonding process can be strengthened by the intimacy of
massage. It has also been suggested that the strong bond developed
naturally by the exercise can prevent behavioural disorders later in
life, and that the muscle stimulation involved can see children
sitting, and even walking much sooner.
Available at the majority of Sure Start centres in the UK, baby massage
provides at last a positive solution for parents suffering the effects
of a colicky child. Righting sleep patterns and ending infant anxiety,
it is perfectly simple, and the perfect solution to a huge number of
childhood ailments.
To find out about baby massage courses or classes in your area simply
visit www.busylittleones.co.uk
About the Author
Lucy is an avid sailor and writer and has been
involved in child care for many years.
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