Can infant massage help with colic, gas, or constipation?

Yes! Massage focused on baby’s belly combined with leg exercises can get the digestive tract moving to help ease discomfort and pain. Many times doctors don't exactly know what causes colic, all we know if that it makes babies (and their parents) absolutely miserable. There is debate as to wether it is caused by food intolerances, genetics, organ structure, or even just "a phase babies go through". In any case, it can be agreed that colic, as well as gas pain and constipation can be very painful and therefore make babies very unhappy. Massage focused on baby's belly encourages pressure that can work gas bubbles through the system as well as help clear out anything that isn't moving well so baby can get some relief. There are also products on the market such as weighted blankets to use to help baby's tummy problems, further showing that gentle pressure, such as that used in massage, is incredibly helpful.

Massaging baby’s belly in a clockwise direction with gentle pressure can help move and eliminate anything causing pain. The reason massage should be done in a clockwise direction is because that is the normal direction the intestines and colon move so that waste can be eliminated. Massaging in this direction will help encourage things to go in the right direction so it can safely find it's way out of the body in teh manner it is supposed to go. Likewise, in addition to massage, simple leg exercises are also useful. Moving the legs can help "loosen up" anything sittin in the digestive tract that may not be moving well, and leg exercises, especially ones that involve the leg reaching up to and pressing on the belly, are not only helpful in adding the pressure to help relieve the pain, baby can also percieve it as a fun interaction so it may help th=ake their mind off of their belly pain as well.