Parents often find that their little ones may have some difficulty with digestion. Constipation occurs from time to time, but can cause discomfort or pain for your baby. There are many different methods you can try to help relieve this discomfort however; I have found baby massage specifically for constipation to be very effective.

Massage can be helpful in encouraging your baby's bowels to move. Prior to starting baby massage:

- Make sure the room is warm enough (especially if removing baby's clothing)

- Relax yourself

- Warm your hands by rubbing them together

- Ask baby's permission to start massage by making eye contact and verbally asking out loud "Is it okay if I massage your Tummy?"

You can massage over clothing, but for tummy massage, I would recommend you use a little oil and massage directly on the skin. Skin to skin contact also creates warmth, which can be very helpful for constipation as well.

For oil, use an all natural fruit or vegetable based oil, something edible. Good choices that you may already have at home include grape seed oil or olive oil. Put a small drop of oil in your hands, about the size of a coin, and rub together to warm. Show baby what you are doing, he'll start to associate the sight and sound with what comes next.

When doing these massage strokes, use a firm but gentle pressure. Always check in with your baby to make sure he likes the massage. Feel free to try a lighter pressure, use a different stroke or just stop if he's done.

To massage your baby's tummy, place warmed hands on tummy at or below the belly button. I know it's a tiny area, but important to target the bowels. Gently stroke downward, using flat palms, hand over hand, a paddling type motion. Next moving hands in a clockwise motion, (very important to move clockwise ? if you go the wrong way, you'll create more issues), stroke baby's tummy in a circle.

Now we'll do a 3-part stroke called I Love You!

With baby laying on the floor facing you: (remember clockwise motion)

1. First trace the letter "I" on baby's left side

2. Next draw an "L" starting on baby's right side, across the top of the tummy and down baby's left side

3. Then draw an upside-down "U"

Finish on the tummy by stroking down with warmed flat hands a few times.

During tummy massage your baby may have a bowel movement or release some air ? great! You might like to leave baby's diaper off during the entire massage session. Babies like to have the freedom of movement they gain without a diaper, so if you decide to leave it off, just have something underneath in case of any accidents.

Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz? Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage