Interview With a Mother - The Benefits of Baby Massage and How it Changed This Family's Life
Baby Massage took this mum from being tired, stressed and worried to cool, calm and collected. Plus it really helped to form a bond with her baby.
Learn about their journey through massage in this interview
Knowing your baby is in pain is a stressful and heart-wrenching situation that all parents find themselves in at some point. Having the tools to identify what is wrong and how to help, through baby massage, for example, is so powerful, as Anna discovered when her newborn suffered from the excruciating wind.
I love to teach baby massage; I especially love when I see first-hand how families benefit from practising massage regularly. Now it isn’t all butterflies and fairies in class and there are often times when the babies are particularly unsettled and prone to tears. One family who experienced this first-hand but managed to come out much better on the other side shared their story with me.
Anna and Nhyira’s Baby Massage Journey
Here’s a little background detail. Anna and her baby Nhyira (pronounced En-Shra) started coming to baby massage in January 2018. Anna was desperate to find a solution to Nhyira’s agonising wind. She did one public class and then dropped out of the 5-week course. Nhyira seemed very uncomfortable with her wind and began to cry halfway through the class.
Overwhelmed with emotions as a first-time mother the pressure became too much for Anna in the group environment. I invited them to come back for the following term and advised them to practise little and often at home between the courses. I interviewed them a few months after they completed their second five-week course with me and the transformation was incredible!
I thought it was definitely worth sharing this interview to help others discover the benefits of baby massage.
Ten questions with a sleep-deprived, anxious mother about her baby massage experience
What made you want to try baby massage?
‘When we first brought her home from hospital she was all scrunched up in a little ball all the time and looked red. I couldn’t work out what was wrong. I noticed she would be this way especially when she needed the toilet, so I looked online for solutions. I didn’t want to give her medicine and much preferred the idea of helping naturally. Then I found baby massage and it seemed like a really good way to do that as well as bonding. I hadn’t heard of it before I looked online.’
How old was your baby at the time?
‘She must have been just about five or six weeks at the time I started the first course. Then when we started again she was around ten weeks.’
Did you have any expectations for the course?
‘More just HOPE rather than expectations that it would help her a little bit.’
Did it meet your expectations?
‘Far excelled not only with her gas, which was a nice by-product but also (baby massage) became such a big thing of what we do together now. Massage has given her body awareness. If she has a tummy ache, she will now rub her tummy so I know it is hurting and it is generally less red these days.
It’s been amazing for both connections, the way she looks at me melts my heart. It’s also really built my confidence. You would think it would be instinctual how to help or touch your baby but it didn’t come naturally to me. The love part was but the practical touching wasn’t. I was so scared I would break her. After seeing in class what you do (how you can move your baby) you realise you won’t break them. She is now more confident with me touching her.’
What did you enjoy the most?
‘As soon as I had done it, it removed the panic from me when she was hurting, it gave me something I could do to make her feel better, she became a different child, it was magical really. I went from having a really unhappy baby where nothing I was doing could make it better and suddenly I did!
When unhappy she wouldn’t rest, she kept waking and would only sleep on me or her dad, which meant that we weren’t functioning properly.
It wasn’t instantaneous but after a few hours later. She’s so much better now. Sleeps for longer, all gas out.’
Do you know what would give her an upset stomach?
‘She’s greedy, she would guzzle and make a funny little piggy sound as she drank, wanting to eat so quickly. She didn’t eat well at first so once she learned how to latch, she guzzled.
If I don’t massage each night or not properly, or if dad does it and misses a bit out, she won’t sleep so well. The gas will wake her up. She has around a 30-minute massage every night.
I used to wake at 3am every morning to give her a massage in anticipation of her strain. I don’t need to do it now as her stomach is good enough with one before bed.
When we do massage she will fart A LOT. When I turn her around to do her back it all comes out like clockwork. Before massage, it could have been days before she could pass wind or poo.’
Who would you say the course is for (people who want to make friends, want to learn a skill, those with a poorly baby, sleep troubles)?
‘If you haven’t heard of baby massage before and think it sounds all airy-fairy and silly, with a bunch of hippies lighting candles, in reality, it is not. We’ve had so much fun and it’s been great for our bonding. I’d recommend, even if you’re sceptical it is worth giving it a go as you can get so much out of the classes.’
When was the best time of day for you to massage?
‘We always do it as part of the bedtime routine because of her wind and constipation. It was two a day for a while (7pm and 3am).’
How often would you do it?
‘Every night.’
Do you still massage now?
‘YES!’
What do you rate the course?
‘5 out of 5. If I could start over and do it again, without a doubt I would. I wouldn’t have stopped the first time either. I felt uncomfortable as she was upset and in pain.’
Casey - ‘maybe it was okay to wait because she may have been so bunged up and congested with poop that it would have made you feel more anxious each time you were in class trying to massage, uncertain if she would become upset again. It’s great that you kept up practising at home in her happy and safe space and did it little and often until she felt well enough to have more of a massage.
It is better to do one minute of massage with a baby when they’re happy and want to be massaged than the whole routine with a baby that is too uncomfortable or has other needs that they need to be met at that time. You know your baby best and you made the right decision for you both. I am so pleased you kept at it and what a beautiful result you have had!’
The Benefits of Baby Massage
It was so amazing to see how, in such a short time, Anna could help ease her baby’s wind and constipation without the need for medicine. However, she got so much more out of the course than just helping Nhyia’s tummy. If your little one suffers from tummy upsets and you’d like to try massage, make sure you contact me today to discuss your needs.
What are the benefits of fennel tea and can it help with colic?
If your baby has colic there could be a simple way to start helping to ease the painful symptoms associated with the condition. Combined with Baby Massage & Yoga this has helped many families get through a difficult phase.
What are the benefits of fennel tea and can it help with colic?
Fennel tea is a popular non-caffeinated refreshment and is drunk by many seeking a warm drink without the buzz the regular teas and coffee can give you (great when you are breastfeeding or trying to reduce your caffeine intake). But what is the hype towards this drink and should you be drinking it too?
Background of Fennel tea
Fennel has been used as a natural medicine for centuries with its properties been having said to help prevent and relieve muscle spasms, improve digestion, flatulence and stomach cramps. Many of the symptoms associated with colic in infants.
The tea is made by steeping the ground dried seeds and sometimes the leaves in boiling water to create a mild aniseed/liquorice tasting drink clear golden yellow in colour. Before you hear liquorice and right it off, let me tell you I’ve had mums swear they detest liquorice with a passion but LOVE fennel tea and drink it religiously!
How can fennel tea help with colic?
When you breastfeed, the food and drink you consume are usually formed into your breast milk around 6 hours later (as an average, taking differing metabolisms into consideration). Its has been said that the benefits of the tea can pass through the milk so both mother and baby can experience relief from tummy discomfort and wind.
Do I have to drink it?
In very small babies that are exclusively breastfed the easiest way to get the tea into them is by you drinking it. Bottle-fed babies and those who drink formula can also experience colic and tummy discomfort and you can give them some cool fennel tea to drink. Hipp Organic sells baby fennel tea and say it is suitable from one week of age.
What is colic?
Many people refer to their young baby as having colic many people have never heard of it before having children. Colic can start at different ages in babies but is a very common ailment. Here are some of the symptoms parents report:
it happens most often in the evening
they cry inconsolably for around 3 hours
it happens frequently (some experts say it can be classified as colic if it happens for 3 hours a day, at least 3 nights a week for roughly 3 months.
This can be an extremely distressing time and it feels like nothing you can do will help. There has been a lot of research into what Colic is and why some babies are affected by it, amongst other things, trapped wind is a common belief that effects colic that is where fennel tea comes into play. Here is some more information about how to identify if your baby may have colic and how you can help.
During our Baby Massage and Baby Yoga classes we offer fennel tea to parents to drink. Many, like myself didn’t think they would like the taste of the tea and once they had tried it were pleasantly surprised and found they do enjoy the taste and it’s not to over powering-ly aniseed-y tasting. Which can be really off putting for many. I didn’t love it at first but now drink it daily and look forward to a cup of the warm tea as many of the mums attending class have told me! A plus side to drinking herbal teas is they’re still drinkable luke warm or cold - as many mothers know it can be almost impossible to finish a hot drink!
I encourage mothers to drink a cup of the tea during class and many mums have gone on to report a real change in their baby and the reduction of discomfort and they continue to drink the tea regularly outside of class.
Does it really work on colic? How to make the most out of adding fennel tea to your diet.
Maybe it’s a placebo or magic, herbal medicine magic. Who knows if it really works but taking into consideration ‘You are what you eat’ you probably wouldn’t drink lots of fizzy drinks or caffeine and not expect you & your little one to be buzzing around all day. Why not give it a try for a week and see if you notice any difference? If your baby suffers in the evenings be sure to drink some tea around mid day as on average it takes around 6 hours for what you consume to enter your breastmilk. If your baby suffers in the mornings drink some tea in the evening and the night feed early morning should be full of fennel goodness. Drinking Fennel tea compliments a good diet and regularly massaging your baby’s stomach to encourage bowel movements and the elimination of gases. If you’d like to learn some tried & tested baby massage strokes to help digestion check out our online learning videos we have a short course called Tummy Ease which is specifically designed using Baby Massage and Baby Yoga techniques to eliminate the symptoms of colic, wind, constipation & reflux. or join us in a face to face class.
How much fennel tea should I drink?
This will be trial and error on the time of day & the quantity, you might find that your baby only have one period of unsettledness during the day in which case perhaps just one cup around 6-8 hours before that period of time would be best. As fennel tea is completely natural & does not have any side effects you could drink it throughout the day & both you & baby would be fine.
Here are some of our favourite fennel tea brands
Twinnings
Pukka
Health & Heather
Buy organic if that is available to you. Or you could try and make some fennel tea for yourself. If you would like more information about the benefits of fennel tea and a recipe on how to make your own tea here is a blog we found useful. Please let us & other readers know in the comments below how you dealt with colic in your family & if there is anything else you tried that worked.
How else you can help your baby with colic
Adding fennel tea and regular massages to baby’s daily routine can really help with the symptoms of colic.
Book a Baby Massage class with us today to start helping your little one through a difficult time.
Take a sneak peak at our Tummy Ease online baby massage & yoga course
Learn Baby Massage with us online
Disclaimer: if you think your child may have colic or any other digestive issues please seek advise from a medical professional. In no way is drinking fennel tea an alternative to medical treatment or medicines.
What Is Colic? What Causes It? And How Can Baby Massage And Baby Yoga Help?
Colic is a term commonly used to describe unsettled babies. Learn more about what colic is, how to identify it in your baby and most importantly how to help!
What Is Colic?
Colic is the name given to the reasons behind a normally healthy baby crying and fussing over an extended period of time. One standard given by many experts is that if they cry for more than three hours a day, three days a week until the baby is around three-months-old, they are said to have colic. The exact cause of colic is unknown, but there are a number of theories as to what is behind it, such as wind, overstimulation, immature digestive system.
The good news is that there are ways to manage colic and reduce the symptoms. Both baby massage and baby yoga can relax both parent and child, release wind, help develop the digestive system and stimulate happy hormones that relieve colic as much as possible.
This infographic provides more information about colic, its causes and the ways that baby massage and baby yoga help with colic. Contact me today to learn more about both of these activities that could make life happier for you and for baby.
Suggestions for Causes of Colic:
Baby might have an immature digestive system.
Overstimulation may have excess wind that is causing discomfort – perhaps swallowed during feeding or crying.
Baby Is over stimulated.
Baby has a cows milk protein allergy.
Baby’s Vagal nerve has impinged which can happen during delivery especially assisted delivery
Symptoms of Colic - Baby doesn’t have to display all of these signs to have colic.
Baby’s knees are bent up to their tummy.
They have a firm tummy.
You can hear or feel windy bubbles in their tummy.
The baby passes wind as they cry.
They cry excessively.
It is difficult to settle the baby.
Evenings are usually the most difficult.
They have a red or flushed face.
Lips are blue.
They clench their fists a lot.
How Baby Massage and Baby Yoga Helps
Stroking, hugging and holding increases oxytocin, the love hormone.
Higher levels of oxytocin reduce stress cortisol.
Replicating… peristalsis, the body’s natural function to move food and wind to the lower part of the bowel.
Relaxation encourages effective digestion.
Massage strokes can help relieve trapped wind by replicating the body’s natural functions.
Builds trust between baby and parent by demonstrating that you are listening to them and trying to help.
Stimulates and develops systems within the baby’s body.
