Reflexology for babies

Reflexology - the complementary health therapy that involves applying pressure, and massaging, specific areas on the feet and hands - isn't just for grown ups. There's a growing body of researchers - and practitioners - who believe it can do wonders for babies, too.

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What is reflexology?

Reflexology works by gently massaging and stimulating specific points (usually on the feet, but sometimes on the hands, face and ears) called reflex points.

These points are believed to correspond to different parts of the body and it is thought that by stimulating and massaging these certain points, we can aid general health and wellbeing.

Reflexology for babies

As with the use of any alternative health treatment on your child, it's important you chat to your doctor or health visitor first.

But, according to Sally Earlam, a maternity specialist reflexologist and a member of the Association of Reflexologists, reflexology can offer significant benefits to babies, particularly those suffering from symptoms of colic (excessive frequent crying in a baby who seems otherwise healthy).

She says:

"A study from Denmark, (as yet unpublished), suggests that some simple reflexology moves on the feet of your baby may help reduce screaming fits."

While reflexology many not be able to stop a screaming fit once it starts - according to NHS choices, the best thing to do is to pick your baby up and comfort him as soon as possible - Sally says incorporating some simple reflexology techniques into your everyday routine may help reduce episodes of excessive crying.

"Picking a baby up and placing it on your shoulder may be enough to comfort a baby but sometimes it’s not.

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In Denmark, researchers looked at the effects of reflexology on screaming fits for babies aged between four and 13 weeks.

Each baby received four reflexology sessions over two weeks, and reflexology proved to be significantly superior to traditional medical treatments such as colic drops.

Nearly half of the babies having reflexology reduced their crying."

Preparing for reflexology on your baby

You can find a reflexologist to treat your baby - view your Netmums local listings for reflexologists specialising in babies and children - but you can also try some simplified techniques yourself at home.

Sally advises trying these moves for five minutes every day when your baby is calm.

It’s important that you're calm, too, as your baby may pick up on any feelings of anxiety.

Before you begin, do remember:

• Reflexology for baby uses massage strokes over areas of the feet and only requires a very gentle pressure
• This is supposed to be fun - so smile, or even sing nursery rhymes, as you massage your baby's feet.
• Your baby may move their legs about in a playful manner; however, if your baby pulls their legs away and keeps them drawn up, they may be communicating they don’t want reflexology at this time, so stop and try again later.

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How to do reflexology on your baby

1. Connect: place the palms of your hands on the soles of your baby's feet.

2. Cradle their feet: support both of your baby's feet at the heels in the palms of your hands. Hold them loosely for about 10 seconds while talking to them in a soothing voice.

3. Calming hold: place both thumbs gently in the centre of each foot and let them press against you. Rest there for about 10 seconds.

4. Calming the nervous system: gently stroke down on the inside of their foot, from the big toe down to the heel. This is believed to relate to the spine reflex and is thought to be calming for the nervous system.

5. Head reflex: gently push up from the base of each of your baby's toes, to their tips.

6. Digestive reflex: softly massage in clockwise circles on the middle of your baby's feet (where they arch) with your thumb. This area is believed to relate to the parts of the digestive system helpful in release of wind and gas.

7. Repeat this move over the heel area

8. Calming hold: Finally, repeat calming hold (no. 3)

Find out more

To find out more about reflexology, get in touch with the Association of Reflexologists at aor.org.uk.

You can find a reflexologist who specialises in babies - or for yourself - here.

Have you tried reflexology on your baby? Share your thoughts on it in the Coffeehouse.