I started writing this blog months and months ago and then, you know, life happened and I stopped mid-sentence. From when I started this blog until now, drastic things have happened in our world. Namely, the infamous, Covid-19. What is so crazy to me is how divided the world can be (different cultures, different races, different religions, different opinions, different languages, etc); yet, the whole world is now fighting the same enemy. People are suffering now more than ever from a multitude of things: of course, the virus itself and symptoms of the virus; the panic; the loneliness; the financial struggle; the lack of structure for both adults and children alike; and so on. What I am wondering is what are the long-term effects of Coronavirus? And I'm not just talking about the physical repercussions (although, very scary and important). What may be the emotional, mental, and spiritual repercussions this virus will cause to us, our families, our children, society, and the world as we used to know it?
Covid-19 is relatively new and I can write pages and pages about the fears, struggles, pain, and suffering it has caused all of us. But this blog is about babies and children, so I'll focus on that...
It is amazing how naive (in a good way!) and innocent babies and young children are. Every day, I thank G-d that my baby is one and a half years old.
Yes, he is aware that some things are different. I mean, just look at all the faces around you, or should I say, the lack thereof. When we are out, my son frequently pulls down my mask and laughs as if we are playing an innocent game of 'Peek-A-Boo'. At other times, I can see the question marks in his eyes right before he tries to rip my mask off as if to say, "Mom, why are you wearing that? Take that mask off! I had enough 'Peek-A-Boo' for today!"
Life is definitely weird, but he still wakes up with a huge smile on his face. He still runs around laughing at the birds flying above, the trees swaying in the wind, and the truck honking its horn, as if there isn't a pandemic on the loose. He goes up to random people and just smiles and waves at them. After he went up to a random woman and smiled, I overheard her say to her friend, "I want to smile back at all these children, but then I remember, I am wearing a mask and they can't even see my smile!" Daily, I wonder about the repercussions this will have on our children.
Now, more than ever, we need reflexology. Now, more than ever, our children need reflexology.
We always hear: children need routines, children thrive on structures, children need predictability. With schools and daycares closed and parents working from home, how is it possible to implement structure and routine? Parents are juggling all roles while standing upside down on their heads. It is impossible. The struggle to catch all of life's curveballs is overwhelming and a juggling act. What seems more overwhelming to me is the constant worrying that this won't leave a lasting impression on my child (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). I keep trying to remind myself that there is only so much we can control. Some things we cannot change or control. We have to believe our best is truly the best. I constantly tell myself that although my son is not socializing with other children as much as he usually would in daycare, he is at home with his mother and father who love and care for him. I cannot change the fact that he isn't in a structured daycare with other children his age but what I can do is try to make his experience at home with me a good and nurturing experience (to the best of my ability).
So, to emphasize again: Now, more than ever, we need reflexology. Now, more than ever, our children need reflexology.
In the middle of Corona, my husband, my son, and I packed up and moved to a different city. Talk about rocking the boat even more for my son. Boxes everywhere, changing homes, changing daycares, and a country lockdown. Knowing that my son would struggle with all these new changes, a few days before our move I began doing certain techniques that help children conquer and deal with changes. After our move, his sleep and mood did not change much, his appetite wasn't affected (he continued to eat poorly ;)), and starting a new daycare was a small adjustment for him, but I truly believe without reflexology, it would have been even harder for him.
How long is a reflexology treatment for babies and children?
For a newborn, 5 minutes every day is enough. At about age two, you can increase to 10 minutes. Ages five to eight can receive 20-minute treatments. Ages eight to ten can increase to 30 minutes. And from ages ten and up, children can have 45-minute treatments.
Yes - it is true - children usually cannot or will not sit for a full 45 minutes straight for a reflexology treatment. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time getting my son to sit through a short children's book. It seems simple: they cannot sit for that long so the treatments are shorter. But, there is a more complex and interesting reason. A child's body has the ability to respond and react to reflexology much quicker than an average adult. Babies are very in tune with their bodies.
Why is it that babies and children are so in tune with their bodies?
In the many years up until adulthood, we have experienced both, good and bad, and have accumulated blockages and defense mechanisms. Experiences we go through in life and obstacles we encounter, if not taken care of or dealt with, will accumulate in our body and obstruct the body's natural flow. The amount of time it takes for our brain to register what is happening in the treatment will be longer than the amount of time a baby's brain will take. A baby will react quickly and effectively to the treatment. There were a few months where my baby struggled with constipation. It would take from a few minutes to a few hours for reflexology to help my baby. The younger he was, the faster reflexology would have an affect. They will tell you when they want reflexology, when they want a little cuddle and when they DON'T want reflexology or a cuddle -- you just have to listen and respect their needs. Be patient and if they pull their feet away just keep your hands open and welcoming; they will eventually bring their feet back to your hands.
When my son was a newborn, I would give him a short reflexology treatment every night before bed and after his bath. He LOVED it. We would sing songs and by the age of two months, he would laugh while I worked on his solar plexus. The solar plexus is great for balancing your breathing, decreasing stress and anxiety levels, relaxing, increasing energy levels, and plays a role in your digestive system (click here for more information on the solar plexus).
The solar plexus connects the element fire to the element of water. Generally speaking, the element of fire is connected to our actions, expressing ourselves, and our passions. Water is connected to our emotions and our flowing aspect. The solar plexus is the passageway between our fire and our water.
Since babies cannot speak or express their emotions clearly, working the solar plexus can help bridge the gap betw
een their water (=emotions) and their fire (=expression) and help ease the frustration of their lack of ability to express themselves clearly.
Children may not be able to express or formulate into words what they are really feeling. Their aches and pains may be expressed in anger, sadness, crankiness, sleep problems, or fatigue. Trust your gut and always be in contact with your family doctor if you have any concerns regarding your baby's health.
Solar Plexus:
While putting slight pressure on the solar plexus, I say, "Take a deep breath in." I make an exaggerated deep breath in and hold for a few seconds. While I release the light pressure from the solar plexus, I say, "Now, deep breath out." I make an exaggerated breath out. My baby thinks this is HILARIOUS. Isn't it amazing what babies think is funny? If only we can all live that way and with that perspective.
The picture to the right illustrates where you can find the solar plexus.
(click here for more information on the solar plexus).
Toes:
Baby's toes are very important and they hold a lot in them. They are the area of the teeth and jaw, head, sinuses, eyes, ears, nervous system/senses, etc. Massaging the toes can be very helpful in the stages of teething, colds/sinus congestion, or ear/eye infections. Right when you think your baby has overcome teething, another tooth starts to pop out. I massage my son's toes regularly to help relieve any teething pain. You can sing 'this little piggy', 'one little, two little, three little toes', or really any song your child likes! Make it a fun experience for both yourself and your baby. Massage both dorsal, plantar, lateral, and medial sides of the toes.
Digestive System:
After birth, a newborn still needs a lot of support. Besides the emotional support from his/her caretaker, a newborn's systems of the body are not fully developed and functioning at its highest potential. Each day their bodies will get stronger and more developed.
Reflexology is a great way to help support those systems that you feel need an extra push. It is common for babies to have some gas. Reflexology is a great way to help relieve your baby's discomfort. Here is a very simple technique you can practice at home (for gas and constipation):
Find the small intestine area (in the bottom of the arch/element of water; right above the heel/earth). Do slow and gentle circular motions. Then, with your pinky and with gentle pressure, go down the middle of the foot from the middle of the element water to the element earth, until the end of the heel. Simultaneously, use your thumb and go from the Achilles tendon towards the heel. When the two fingers meet at the base of the heel, pull outwards (as if you are pulling the gas out). Bicycle motions of the legs and bending the legs into the stomach helps to release gas, as well.
See the picture below for reference.
How do I work on babies?
Since their feet are so small (and yummy), you can use your pinky and a light gentle touch. They do not need strong pressure; a light touch is more than enough for babies. At times, their feet may not be accessible. If not accessible, then work on their hands which will be just as effective. You should use simple creams or oils. Do not use any strong smelling creams or oils with many additives. The baby and mother/caretaker must be very relaxed. Choose a position for the baby that he will be most comfortable in (see below for positioning ideas). Do not attempt to give a treatment to a hungry, tired, or cranky baby! You will be defeated.
I found that as my child grew older and had a harder time sitting still, I would have to get more creative. Nursing/bottle feeding is a good time to squeeze in a quick reflexology treatment (remember, you only need five minutes!). Generally, after the bath and before bed, babies can be more relaxed (unless they are overtired! When my baby was overtired he would be extra wiggly and jiggly. Even more than usual). Now, my nearly one and half-year-old is so curious and does not sit still. I am no longer nursing or bottle feeding so finding that time can be more difficult. Before bed, we sit in the rocking chair and I read him a book while he drinks some water. I find this is the best time for him to accept a small treatment. He is relaxed, tired, and cuddly.
*Remember, babies do not need a 45-minute treatment! Those 5 minutes before bed can work wonders! If you cannot reach their feet, working on the hands works well too!
The positioning of the baby:
1) The baby can sit on your lap, facing forward with their back to you. Your hands will have access to their feet and/or hands.
2) The baby can lay on your legs, with their head positioned away from you and feet toward your stomach. This position works best for newborns that won't move around so much.
3) If you're working with someone else's baby or have another adult with you that the baby is comfortable with then you can have the baby sit on the mother/caretaker's lap. You should sit in front of the mother and baby. This will give you the best access to their feet and hands.
4) Baby can sit inside his stroller, if comfortable.
5) Baby can lay on a bed or a mattress on the floor. The mother/caretaker must be in the room too to make sure the baby doesn't flip over. Again, this works best with a newborn that doesn't move around so much.
6) If the baby is with the mother, she can nurse him/her while you give the treatment.
What can reflexology help with?
Teething
Earaches and ear infections
Lowering fever
Transitioning/new changes (ex: moving schools or starting a new year, moving houses, weaning off diapers, weaning off nursing, new sibling, etc)
Motion sickness/nausea
Constipation/gas
Diarrhea
Difficult birth experience (in this case, the mother should 100% seek reflexology treatments, as well)
Bonding experience with mother/father/grandparents/caretaker
To learn more about the benefits of reflexology, click here!
Reflexology is an amazing tool and you will be amazed at the outstanding results! Our little ones have a hard time expressing themselves and to have a tool that can help relieve them of their distress, support them, and comfort them is amazing. There were times when my baby was crying and I had no idea what to do! Many times he would fall asleep while I massaged his feet. As a first time and new mom, I understand how frustrating and overwhelming it can be. If I can help even just one mother help relieve her baby from any discomfort and help them build a greater bond then I believe I have done my job.
Feel free to contact me at Israelreflexology@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or concerns!
I love hearing from you all and discussing the different kinds of reflexology techniques.
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