The Importance of Touch for Babies and Children
Touch Therapies for your Children: Some simple easy to follow routines and technique
There is substantial research to show that touch therapy works on both a physical and psychological level to aid the emotional, physical and social health and development of children.
It works on many levels;
· helping your child to relax, let go and ease tensions and the cumulative effects of stress,
· encourage better quality sleep
· encourage a healthy immune system helping to prevent and fight infections;
· increase lung capacity and encourage deeper, more regular breathing patterns;
· build trust and intimacy through non-verbal communication, creating a calm and comforting space for your child to share inner worries or concerns
· improve physical and mental energy, encouraging concentration and alertness
Below are a few easy to follow ways for embracing the healing power of touch to help your child overcome everyday ailments and prevent their recurrence: (please note although these natural remedies can be wonderfully beneficial, they are not a substitute for conventional medical advice and treatment – Avoid massage, reflexology or acupressure if your child has been vaccinated in the previous week or is suffering from the after-effects of vaccination. If your child has an infection, rash or high temperature or has a contagious or infectious condition.)
Asthma
This simple reflexology routine can be used on a regular weekly basis to help strengthen your child’s respiratory system and support conventional medical care.
1. Begin by pressing the pads of your thumbs on the solar plexus reflexes points on both feet(which are found in the hollows at the centre of feet, just under the ball of the foot). This will help trigger the relaxation response. Hold for the count of 3. Release pressure. Repeat 3 times.
2. Use your thumb to ‘walk’ or glide over the diaphragm reflex area on the right foot, working from one side of the foot to the other. Change hands and work back again. (the diaphragm line follows the lower edge of the ball of the foot)
3. Press, walk or glide your thumb over the throat, trachea and bronchi reflex area. (which is around the outer edge of the big toe on the side and top, from the base of the lower edge of the nail.
4. Use your thumb to walk over the lung reflex area of the right foot (the large padded area – the ball of the foot). You can work from the diaphragm line upwards or across the foot . Or walk from the toes down the area on the front part of the foot.
5. Repeat step 4 on the left foot
Massage your child’s back (and chest if appropriate) with generous sweeping movements in an upward direction. Massage through light clothes or use a small amount of plain carrier oil 30 ml with 3 drops of Roman Chamomile and 3 drops of mandarin essential oil for added aromatic benefit.
Sleep problems
A regular bedtime massage can help soothe your child mentally and physically, encouraging a peaceful night’s sleep. Set some time aside after a warm bath, keep your stokes gentle, slow and rhythmic. Begin with your child lying on her front or side.
1. Place both hands on your child’s upper back, then stoke one hand down the back with a long feather-like stroke. When the hand reaches the lower back, the other one begins another stoke. Continue this flowing pattern with alternative hands stoking in one move.
2. Ask your child to roll over on to her back. Bring your hands to her head and trace small, slow circular movements over her scalp with the pads of your fingers. Massage all the areas of her scalp that can be comfortable reached. Little circular movements.
3. Continue with these small circular movements over her forehead, temples and cheeks. Keep the touch very light and slow.
4. Go from the top of her forehead, using your index finger or thumb stroke slowly down the forehead and the bridge of the nose to the tip. Do this a number of times as it can be calming.
Tummy Aches
1. Place the palm of your hand on your child’s stomach. Place the other your other hand on top. Hold as long as you wish.
2. Make a few circles around her tummy button area, with your hands stroking in a clockwise direction. Gradually increase the size of these circles so that they cover the whole stomach area. Do around 20 circles.
3. Place one palm just below the ribs. Stroke the whole palm to the bottom of the stomach area, using a gentle pressure. When one hand finishes a stroke, the othe r hand begins. Continue to use alternative hands in a wave-like movement for around 20 strokes.
4. Finish by holding both your palms on the stomach. The heat they generate will have a relaxing effect on the whole body
Could also suggest to your child for her to soak in an aromatic bath to help calm her stomach and to relax her mind.
Fill the bath with water and add a small quantity of the following blend: 30 ml carrier oil blended with 4 drops of lavender and 2 drops of mandarin.
Short routine for babies to help relief of Colic /Gas
This massage routine can be used when problems like tummy pain, gas, constipation, or colic occur. Repeat this series of strokes 3 times, 2-3 times a day, for at least 2 weeks. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
1.Begin by taking a few deep breaths to relax, rest your hands on your baby’s tummy.
2. Water Wheel stroke - Place your hands or pads of your fingers and stroke with alternating hands/fingers from the belly button to the legs. Do this movement 6 times with each hand.
3.Bring your baby’s knees together and push them gently into the tummy. Hold for a slow count of 6.
4.Sun and Moon stroke – Once hand draws a clockwise full circle. The other draws a partial clockwise circle(from approx. 10 to 5 on a clock)
5.Repeat step 3.
Other things you can try are:
· When the baby breaks off from the breast naturally during a feed, sit him up and gently rub in a circular movement around his back. Let him latch on again, when is breaks off, sit him up and rub his side in circular movements, and the third break rub his tummy in circular movements (clockwise). During this, it helps relax his tummy, and back muscles and allows the milk to properly digest. With this technique you may not have to wait for a burp!
· If breast feeding, drink nettle or fennel tea an hour before feeding as it neutralises your breast milk. Steep one teaspoon of fennel in ½ pint of hot water for ten minutes. Then strain and drink.
· Hold the baby in Tiger in the Tree position to minimize crying and ease discomfort. Lay baby face down on your forearm with your palm face up. Let your baby’s arms and legs hang on either side of your forearm. The baby’s head should nestle and be supported in the crook of your arm. Stoke and pat the baby’s back gently.
Acupressure points for various common aliments:
H7 – benefits: relieves insomnia; clams anxiety. H7 can be found in the small hollow on the inner wrist, in line with the little finger. Apply gentle pressure on the point with the pad of your thumb facing towards the little finger.
CV6 – Benefits: helpful for bedwetting and other urinary conditions. CV 6 acupressure point is two finger widths directly below the belly button. Hold the palm of your hand or fingertips over this area, then press and hold for as long as feels comfortable, encouraging your child to breathe deeply. By working this point it can help strengthen the lower back, boost energy and vitality; stimulates the immune system and balances digestive disorders.
B2 - relieves sinus pain, eye strain and headaches; eases symptoms of hay fever. You can find it just above the inner corner of each eye where the bridge of the nose meets the inner tip of the eyebrow. Feel for two natural hollows on either side of the nose. Press upwards with your thumbs or fingers, whichever feels most comfortable; work both points at the same time.
LI 4 – relieves constipation, indigestion, toothache, colds, and headaches. You can find the point in the fleshy part between the thumb and forefinger on the back of the hand. Place your forefinger underneath and your thumb on top; feel for the sensitive spot, then gently squeeze and hold. Repeat on the other hand.
GB 20 – relieves a stiff neck, tension headaches, colds and eye strain. GB 20 is on the bony ridge at the base of the skull; feel for two slight hollows on either side of the neck between the two muscles. Rest the pads of your thumbs or fingers on these acupressure points. Then ask your child to gently tilt her head back a little, so that the weight of the head increases the pressure.