DOHA:
MUM in
COMMUNITY
Massage those tummy troubles away
Words by Lynsey Riach
enough performed a wind dance at the mere hope it would help our baby out. But nothing worked…
I type my latest instalment quite literally through eyes half shut because the sweetest new addition to our family has been up quite a lot of late, and whilst he is blooming so wonderfully in size, he is also having some blooming tummy troubles.
Until a mindless trawl through Facebook one night led me to come across something rather astonishing taking place right here in Doha. My eyes widened at the prospect of such a solution to our windy issues – could baby massage be the answer?
F
or weeks on end now our beloved boy has been rather fussy for no obvious reason. As a mum you always ‘just know’ your baby, but second time around, you ‘just know’ even quicker when something isn’t quite right. Carter had been showing all the signs of the dreaded C… knees pulled up to his chest, red strained face, extremely clingy, and at times completely inconsolable (for hours on end) which can mean only one thing – colic. Babies have an immature digestive system that takes the first few months to develop. Some are prone to problems digesting milk which can lead to a build-up of gas pains leaving a poor soul in excruciating pain. As a mother, your heart breaks not being able to help. In our house we have tried every old wives’ tale and remedy your grandma has heard. I’ve changed my diet, positioned him differently when feeding, tried to burp him eight different ways, and I’ve near
36
It just so happened that very week Blissful Babies Doha was running a free (I’d have gladly paid a fortune for a space) workshop on how to push those painful problems away. We signed up immediately. Baby massage is not an exclusive day spa or treatment as the name might imply (although how cute would that be?) In fact, baby massage is a form of communication between a parent and their baby. It creates a bond with your baby and helps parents to gain confidence in holding, touching, and understanding their little one. Fathers can also have an important role in their baby’s life through massage, which will help them feel included. It is proven to reduce stress, tension, and restlessness in both the parent and baby, and can settle and soothe them when they become distressed. Attending a baby massage class can help a parent to understand their baby’s needs and desires and find the confidence to read their cues. Learning a new skill can give parents a tool to use whenever they feel their baby will benefit from it.
Baby massage also has many physiological and psychological benefits which includes the stimulation of baby’s circulation through the increase of blood flow. Their immune system is strengthened along with their digestive system, which helps any colic, wind, and constipation. Learning baby massage strokes can improve sleep patterns for your little one by relaxing their body and can be incorporated into a bedtime routine. Baby massage has been life-changing for us! We attended classes run by Scottish expat Donna Young, whose own son suffered from silent reflux and colic, so she trained in baby massage. Donna now wants to reach out and provide knowledge and support to other mums and dads in Doha. This training has provided me and baby with a perfect bedtime routine that has not only near enough rid us of colic but has also helped baby fall asleep at 7:00 PM each night giving us our evenings back (cheers to that!). With future workshops including the very sweet “Daddy and me whilst Mummy has tea” as well as those with an emphasis on colicky babies, tummy troubles, soothe to sleep, and sinus, congestion, and teething remedies, baby massage is something I now make sure to incorporate into our bedtime routine. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your baby and soothe them from the inside out whilst letting them know that you are here and are always with them. Until next time – hug your babies tight and smile at the miracle that is life! n