eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Looking for help relieving a baby with colic? Massage a baby with colic with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video series on childcare.
There are 14 videos in this series:
Pediatricians are unsure of the what causes colic, though many believe it is triggered by an allergy to breast milk or formula, or excess gas and diarrhea. Find out about the symptoms of colic, including excessive crying for long periods of time, with information from a parenting instructor in this free video on infant health.
Massaging a baby with colic requires materials to keep the child calm and relaxed, such as a blanket, massage oil and soothing music. Gather supplies for a soothing baby massage, even if the baby is fussy and crying, using tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
When massaging a baby with colic, maintain safety by avoiding the tummy area if the umbilical cord is not healed, and performing the massage with the baby on the floor to prevent falling. Keep a baby with colic safe during a massage by laying them on comfortable blankets and pillows and using information from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Before massaging a baby with colic, turn off the phone and have everything necessary within reach so that nothing interrupts the massage. Get ready to massage a baby with colic by removing rings or jewelry and keeping fingernails filed, and following tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Prepare a colicky baby for a massage by having pillows laid out and removing the baby's clothes to focus on skin-to-skin contact. Place a baby with colic at a 45 degree angle and loosen their diaper before a massage with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
A baby with colic can feel a mother's tension and stress during a massage, so it is very important to relax and reduce stress prior to the massage. Practice deep breathing and loosen muscles before massaging a baby with colic using tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Before massaging a baby with colic, it is important to ask the baby for permission by warming up the hands with a little grape seed oil and verbally letting the baby know what is about to happen. Read cues from a baby with colic about whether they are ready to receive a massage with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Begin the paddling massage stroke on a baby with colic with warmed palms on, or below, the belly button. Massage a baby with colic using the paddling stroke for six to eight strokes with each hand, using instructions from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Start the paddling massage stroke on a baby with colic with the legs up by maintaining constant contact with the stomach. Do the paddling massage stroke on a baby with colic with the legs up by supporting the ankles with one hand and paddling the stomach below the belly button with the other hand, using instructions from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Initiate the rainbow massage stroke on a baby with colic by drawing an upside-down U in clockwise motion on the baby's stomach. Use gentle but firm pressure for the rainbow massage stroke on a baby with colic with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Begin the circle massage stroke on a baby with colic with a clockwise motion that goes all the way to the ankles. Do the circle massage stroke on a baby with colic, resting the hands and checking in with the baby after every stroke, using tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Knee bends will benefit a baby with colic by applying pressure to the stomach, which may be the cause of the discomfort. Support a baby with colic by gently pressing the knees into a bend and then moving them into a bicycling motion using tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Start the back and forth massage stroke on a baby with colic by calmly moving the baby's tummy back and forth, using a firm but gently pressure. Do the back and forth massage stroke on a baby with colic, feeling the stomach relax with each stroke, with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Initiate the circular massage stroke on a baby with colic by moving both hands going on the baby's stomach in a clockwise movement. Do the circular massage stroke on a baby with colic, keeping constant skin-to-skin contact, with tips from a parenting instructor in this free video on childcare.
Almost all babies go through a fussy period. When crying lasts for longer than about three hours a day and is not caused by a medical problem (such as a hernia or infection), it is called colic. This phenomenon occurs in almost all babies. The only thing that differs is the degree. Colic usually strikes toward the end of a long day, when your baby is just about at the age when your sleep deprivation has really begun to set in. Your baby stops being the quiet, peaceful, miracle baby and begins screaming every evening. It is no wonder that parents can become frustrated, discouraged, and depressed. One way to help a baby with colic is massage. In this free video series on childcare, a parenting instructor offers instruction on massaging a baby with colic. Learn what colic is, safety considerations, what is needed for massage and how to prepare. Discover the paddling, rainbow, circle, knee bend, back and forth, and circular massage strokes.
Tina Allen Tina Allen is a parenting and childcare expert with years of experience teaching people how to care for babies and children.dkdk
Read More
Copyright © 1999-2010 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use † and Privacy Policy †. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript
