15 Effective Ways to Soothe an Upset Baby

Trying to calm an upset baby is nothing short of a Herculean task. Sometimes, no matter what you try, they still bawl like it’s the end of the world!

However, this seemingly impossible task can be made easy with the help of infant reflexology. Reflexology is a type of a massage technique that makes use of specific points on the palms and feet to ease pain or discomfort felt in different parts of the body.

Don’t worry. It’s not as complicated as it sounds! Your little one’s feet remain flat until they start walking. So massaging is going to be pretty smooth!

Now let’s discover the 15 ways you can soothe your upset baby based on the principles of reflexology.

In This Article

1. Headaches

Headaches
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Both headaches and teething are a major source of discomfort for infants. The quick fix to both of them is to massage your baby’s toes. Massage individual toe tips in a circular motion, squeezing each of them and repeat with the other foot. You can also try pressing under your child’s toes.

2. Sinuses

Sinuses
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According to reflexology, massaging the center of each of your infant’s toes can help provide relief from sinuses and even running or stuffy nose. While massaging the center of the toe, use your thumb and index finger to grab each toe and massage in circular motions.

3. Lung problems

Lung problems
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The reflexology map attributes the balls of the feet to the problems of the lung. You can relieve your baby of the symptoms of chest congestion by massaging this area in spirals from left to right. Do that for each foot.

4. Stomach upset

Stomach upset
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To help ease the pain of an upset tummy, rub the reflex area known as the solar plexus. This situated just below the balls and in the middle of the feet. Apply pressure with your thumbs at the solar plexus on both feet together in small circles to soothe your baby.

5. Upper abdominal problems

Upper abdominal problems
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Indigestion and constipation are common problems among babies – one which you can help ease by massaging the center of your baby’s foot. Starting with the left foot, massage with your index finger the lower portion of the center of the foot, gradually moving upwards and then continuing to the edge of the foot. Repeat with other foot.

6. Lower abdominal problems

Lower abdominal problems
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To help deal with constipation or bloating, massage the area below the center of the foot in gentle circular motion.

7. Pelvic problems

Pelvic problems
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In reflexology, the area responsible for the pelvis is the lowest portion of the foot. Hold your baby’s heels in your hand and gently massage them from down to up to provide relief from problems such as colic.

7.1
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8. Cough

Cough or stomach issues can be helped by massaging the center of your child’s palm. Draw small circles on the center of their palm with your thumb.

9. Hiccups

To make hiccups go, massage the tip of your baby’s thumbs in gentle and small circular motions. This also helps in vomiting!

10. Pink eye

If your infant has got the pink eye, you should you massage the tip of your child’s index finger.

11. Fever

To treat ordinary fever, try massaging the tip of your baby’s middle finger.

12. Teething

Offer your baby some relief from teething discomfort by rubbing the tip of your baby’s little finger simultaneously with the central point in their wrist that is situated just below the palm.

13. Respiratory issues

To treat upper respiratory issues as well as coughs, massage the tip of your baby’s ring finger.

14. Bedwetting

If bedwetting is an issue, put an end to it by stroking your child’s pinky finger in an upward motion.

15. Diarrhea

Both diarrhea and constipation can be treated by massaging the index finger in upward strokes.

You can try these massages as preventive measures too. Just be careful not to apply force and remember that these are alternatives. Not a substitute of a visit to the doctor’s.

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