BABY REFLEXOLOGY - Floor Tuinstra

FLOOR TUINSTRA

BABY

REFLEXOLOGY 1 MINUTE MASSAGE

REMEDIES FOR YOUR CHILD

S BENEFITES ALL AG

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BABY

REFLEXOLOGY 1 MINUTE MASSAGE

REMEDIES FOR YOUR CHILD

F LOOR T UINS T R A

© 2021 Floor Tuinstra • www.floortuinstra.nl • info@floortuinstra.nl Photography: the portrait photo of Floor Tuinstra on the back of the book: Eelk Colmjon - www.eelk.nl The 3rd photo on page 67: www.studiojuune.nl Illustrations: Mariëlle Schuurman • www.marielleschuurman.nl Design: Karen Terpstra • www.opzolder.com Translation from Dutch: Joanna Bouma • www.pelagiacommunications.com

Disclaimer: This book is intended for informative purposes only. Baby reflexology can never replace professional medical treatment. Consult a physician for any health issues, especially for complaints requiring a diagnosis or medical attention. To the best of my knowledge, the information and advice in this book are accurate. Nevertheless, the contents may contain inaccuracies. The publisher, author and translator accept no liability for any damage that may arise from following the instructions in this book.

Note: The pronoun ‘he’ is used to refer to the baby. Naturally, the text also applies to baby girls. © 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and/or published in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author and publisher.

ISBN 978-90-829449-9-0

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Contents 06 About Floor

• The first baby reflexologist in the Netherlands

• How I became a baby reflexologist

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Structure of the book

Part 1 14

Soothing ailments by massaging my baby's feet

14

Does my baby like being massaged?

14

Can I do it myself?

15

A lifetime benefit from day one

15

Am I doing it properly?

16

What is baby reflexology?

16

How does foot reflexology work?

16

Scientific research on baby reflexology

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Toddler reflexology

18

Why baby reflexology?

18

How long does it take before baby reflexology helps?

20 What are the benefits of baby reflexology?

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When is the best time to massage my baby?

25

How long do you massage babies?

25

How fast should I massage my baby?

25

How often can I massage my baby?

25

Until what age can I massage my baby?

25

What is the best position to massage my baby?

28 How do babies respond during treatment?

28 When can you massage your baby and when is it better not to?

30 Preparing a baby reflexology treatment 30 What oils or other aids can you use in baby reflexology?

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33

Tips for baby reflexology massage

• Dos

• Don’ts

34 Basic baby reflexology massage techniques

• Speed 1 elephant, 2 elephants ...

• The Caterpillar

• Press or pulse

• Rubbing

Part 2 38 The feet’s reflex zones 40 The most important point in baby reflexology 49 Starting a reflexology massage with your baby

52 Foot reflexology techniques on the soles of the feet 53

The Penguin

53

Thumb Over Thumb

54 Flippers - lymphs of the upper respiratory tract 55 The Octopus - lungs 56 Bon Appétit - oesophagus 57

Reflux - stomach

58 The Trunk – large intestine 60 The Snake – small intestine 61

The Moon - insomnia

62 The Zebra – hip and pelvis 63 The Toes 64 The bottom of the toes 64 Toot Toot 65 Zen Baby 66 Relax Baby 67 2nd and 3rd Toes - eyes 68 4th and 5th Toes - ears 68 Popping ears 69 Foot massage on top of the foot 69 Thumb over thumb 69 Ankle Circles

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70 Nose 71

Throat

72

The top of the toes

72 Toe Roll 73

The tips of the toes

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Musical Toes

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The two easiest baby reflexology techniques

74 The Giraffe 75

The Light Breeze

76 Only for parents 76 The Eyelash Kiss 76 The Butterfly Kiss 77 Extra techniques on the legs

Part 3 79 Quick Fix: treating minor ailments 81

How to start

82 Breathing, mild asthma, mucus formation, eczema, skin rash, nappy rash 84 Cramps, constipation, tummy aches, trapped air, digestion and nutrition absorption 86 A deeper bond with your baby 88 Ear complaints 89 Eye complaints 90 Happy baby 92 Reflux, hiccoughs, burps, belches 94 Relaxation & Stress reduction 96 Natural resistance, colds, mucus, coughs, sore throat 98 Sleep, headaches, brain, reassurance 100 Teething 103 What can I do to help my baby’s feet develop naturally?

104 Sources of inspiration

• Internet

• Books & course material

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6

Preface

About Floor The first baby reflexologist in the Netherlands

She had memorised the massage and could

I live in the Netherlands and am proud to be

me realise how even a light and targeted

the country’s first baby reflexologist. I give

massage could have significant results.

courses in my own style of baby reflexology

A while later I was visiting a couple of friends

and Chinese paediatric massage for babies

who had twins. At the time they were 1 1/2

and children, both in the Netherlands and

years old and had synchronised routines. They

abroad. My courses are attended by parents,

went to bed at the same time, defecated once

grandparents, foot reflexology therapists,

a day and ate the same food. I massaged one

neonatologists, paediatric nurses, children's

of the two. Their mother emailed me two days

physiotherapists, maternity nurses, baby

later to say that ‘The twin that you massaged

massage practitioners, yoga teachers and

defecated three times that day and slept like

other professionals who work with babies.

a log. The other one did it only once, as usual,

and did not close his eyes all night.’

The mother told her twins’ daycare

How I became a baby reflexologist

practitioners what had happened. The first

A few years ago, Toby, the 7 month old son

asking if I could treat their babies with a baby

of a friend, had problems with his bowel

reflexology massage.

movements. He seemed to have pain when

I too have a son. Baby reflexology helped me

pooing and it took him a lot of effort. Intuitively,

enter motherhood with confidence. I was well

I took hold of his feet and massaged the foot

prepared for the most common ailments that

reflex zone for his digestive area. He really

babies have.

enjoyed his massage; he looked around,

The knowledge I have acquired over the years

made occasional eye contact and laughed

on baby reflexology, Chinese, Japanese and

every now and then. My friend looked over

Western styles of baby massage, and the right

my shoulder to see what I was doing so that

food for babies, has ensured that my son did

she could do it herself later. Within half an

not suffer from cramps during his first year and

hour of leaving, I received a text message: ‘He

was not sick once. The public health nurse

has filled his nappy right to the brim!’. After 6

at the well-baby clinic assumed that my son

months, she emailed me to say that he hadn’t

spent most of his time at home with me. In

had any difficulties with his bowel movements

fact, since he was 3 months old, he went to

since my massage.

childcare 3 times a week.

give it herself. This positive experience made

mothers then started to reach out to me

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“Baby reflexology is safe and no medication is needed.

A reflexology session is also quality time for us that strengthens our bond.”

My youngest student.

Every once in a while I will massage him. I do

minute to do, but which caused him to fill 3 or

not treat him every day, although it would

4 nappies in one day in no time. It is at these

certainly do no harm. Even though I am a baby

times that I see yet again how unbelievably

reflexologist, I do not always get the opportunity

effective foot reflexology is.

to treat him, and sometimes he simply does not want to be massaged. When necessary, though,

I should add that my son is not always free of

I will massage him.

complaints. He occasionally refuses to go to bed or wakes up in the middle of the night,

Now, in 2021, my son is 4 years old. In his young

and he has had the flu. Neither is he free of

life he has only had constipation 3 times. I know

nappy rash, a runny nose, and snot bubbles.

parents whose children only defecate every 3

But these are rare and when these happen, I

to 5 days. As soon as my son goes 1 day without

can use baby reflexology to help alleviate some

defecating, I massage his feet the next morning

of the symptoms and sometimes even solve

to alleviate his symptoms.

the problem completely. Safely and without medication. A reflexology session is also quality

I will use up to 3 techniques, which only take 1

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time for us that strengthens our bond.

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Introduction

If you press here, it doesn’t hurt there anymore Reflexology for babies, massage away

Remote control

your baby’s ailments in 1 minute, is a

Think about reflexology like a remote control –

simple, practical and helpful guide for

once you find the buttons, a little pressure will

parents to start using foot reflexology.

get you the desired results. In the past, most

Your baby's feet are divided into different

people had large television sets that took up

zones. By applying mild pressure to

a lot of space. They had remote controls with

these zones, you can help your baby

large protruding buttons. When the battery

relax, calm down and soothe ailments

was nearly empty, you had to press the buttons

while strengthening the bond with

very hard to change channels. Today we have

your baby. You do not need to worry

flat-screen televisions with modern remote

that you will do something wrong. You

controls. The buttons are now often shaped like

simply can’t do anything wrong. Baby

little waves and you only need to press them

reflexology is completely safe, non-

lightly. This is the same in baby reflexology: you

invasive and very easy. All you need is

need to just press lightly to have an effect.

your hands and loving attention.

1 minute Making a difference only takes 1 minute. You can go a long way with just 1 or 2 techniques and can often even use them to solve problems. If you have time, and if your baby is enjoying it, then you can do more techniques.

This book shows some very playful, simple techniques that anyone can use. I have come up with some names that describe the different techniques so that they are easy to remember.

For example, the Penguin, the Snake, the Toot Toot and the Octopus.

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How this book is organised This book is divided into 3 parts.

1

BABY REF LE XOLOGY. This explains what

baby reflexology is; how it works; what the advantages are; how long it takes before it starts to work; when the best time for a massage is; how long, how often and at what age you can massage; what reactions your baby may show during massage; how

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to prepare; tips; and much more.

GIVING A BABY REF LE XOLOGY MA S SAGE . This

section contains information about the different techniques. All the massages are clearly explained with illustrations, photos, and descriptions. If you want a little more background information, read this section.

Check the last section if you want to know

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how to treat specific ailments.

A QUICK F IX FOR AILMENTS. This section is

Useful to know: baby

organised according to various common

reflexology is also

ailments. It explains the techniques that you

called baby reflex

can apply for each ailment and describes

massage and baby

how to do the techniques. Don’t expect

foot massage. The

to be able to do all the techniques for an

last name, however,

ailment at one go. Practice makes perfect

does not cover the

so first try 1 or 2 massage techniques. Once

whole spectrum of

you have mastered these, try another one.

what baby reflexology can do.

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12

Part 2

Applying baby reflexology massage

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14

Starting a reflexology massage with your baby

Giving a baby reflexology massage

Contact

• Make sure you don't scratch your baby's skin if

and put your palms on the balls of your baby’s

you are wearing a watch or jewellery.

Warm up your hands by rubbing them together foot. Babies instinctively press their feet against

• Make sure you can move your elbows freely.

your hands to make contact with you and

• Take a few deep breaths and leave the

connect with your energy.

tensions of the day behind you.

• If desired, rub a few drops of oil on your hands.

Permission

Oil can sometimes make the massage more

While your hands are on the soles of your

comfortable but is not essential.

baby’s feet, ask your baby for permission to start the massage.

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Warm your hands by rubbing them together.

With the palms of your hands on your baby’s foot soles, ask permission to start the foot massage.

For example "Tim, may I massage your feet?"

Babies instinctively press their feet against your hands to make contact with you and connect with your energy.

For example "Tim, may I massage your feet?"

Thumbs on the solar plexus

It may seem odd to ask for permission, but

Once you have your baby’s permission, place

it helps your baby recognise the ritual that

both thumbs on the solar plexus of one foot.

precedes treatment. The ritual is the hand

If you can’t find it, slide both thumbs down

rubbing to warm them up, the request for

from the point between the 2nd and 3rd toes

permission and making contact through the

towards the bottom of the ball of the foot. You

feet and hands. Babies start recognising the

are now on the solar plexus. By touching the

ritual quickly and will know that it's time for a

solar plexus with both thumbs, you and your

massage. They can then decide if they want

baby can make contact with each other. Your

the treatment. In a very subtle way, you are

baby will gently press against you. Keeping

teaching your baby to respect his own body

your thumbs on the solar plexus, slowly make

and that it is good to be touched as long as he

small circles. Count 1 elephant, 2 elephants ... It

wants it.

does not matter which way you turn. You can also alternate this kneading action by pressing

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You don't need to ask permission aloud. Just

lightly on the solar plexus with your thumbs.

say the words in your head if that makes you

feel more comfortable. It's the intention that

Cradling

matters. Another option is to sing the words.

Hold your baby's heels in your hands, making

Babies enjoy hearing their parents sing.

sure the knees are slightly bent, and move the

legs and feet a little up and down. Choose a

Loving touches, care and trust will strengthen

slow nursery rhyme and move the legs in time

the bond between you and your child.

to the rhyme. Or talk to your baby slowly and

affectionately and move the legs to your own

Summary To start the baby reflexology massage

1. CONTACT

• Place your palms on the soles of your baby’s feet and let your baby connect with your energy.

Up and Down: Hold your baby's heels in your hands.

Gently move the feet and legs up and down. Do this to the rhythm of a slow nursery rhyme.

2 . THUMBS ON THE SOL AR PLE XUS

• Place your thumbs on the solar plexus points of both feet and let your rhythm. This will help your baby relax. Hold the

baby gently press the feet

feet loosely so that your baby can pull away if

against you.

he wants to. If your baby regularly has cramps

• Gently knead the solar

or tummy aches, try this technique. It helps your

plexus.

baby relax.

3. UP AND DOWN

For example, use your voice by singing a song

• Hold your child's heels in

or talking to your baby affectionately. This

your palms. Raise the feet

way you help your baby to relax. Hold his feet

slightly.

loosely at the same time. Your baby can pull his feet away if he wants to. If your baby has cramps or abdominal pain, you can use this technique regularly. It helps your baby relax.

• If your baby pulls his feet away or makes other

Your baby’s signals

blocking movements and begins to whine or cry, stop and try again later.

• Watch for any signals from your baby. If your baby laughs, coos, makes eye contact, stays

calm, does not pull the feet away, continue

At first, just 1 minute or 1 technique may

the massage.

be enough to help your baby. Don't be

• Babies sometimes pull their feet back in

discouraged if your baby doesn't allow more.

response to touch. This reaction does not

Your baby must also get used to the touch. As

always mean your baby is uncomfortable. Just

you and your baby become more familiar with

look at your baby’s face and expression to see

the techniques, you can try to do more.

if he wants you to continue or not.

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Foot reflexology techniques on the soles of the feet Most reflex zones are on the soles of the feet.

The Penguin.

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1. The Penguin Put both thumbs on one foot sole. In this technique, your thumbs ‘walk’ over the entire sole. It is as if a penguin was walking around, wobbling from one foot to the other. Gently press one thumb at a time, release it and press the other thumb. Alternate your thumbs, starting at the heel and ‘walking’ up towards the toes. Press very gently as soon as your thumb touches the sole of the foot.

Make this technique even more playful by making the sound of a running penguin. For example, look at your child as you walk your thumbs saying "plop, plop, plop" or " tick, tack, toe" in a funny voice.

Effect

The Penguin.

This is a relaxing technique for babies.

2. Thumb Over Thumb Place your thumbs on the sole of your foot horizontally and parallel to each other. Starting at the heel, stroke the sole alternately with your thumbs, holding them horizontally when working your way towards the toes.

Effect This is a relaxing technique for babies.

Thumb Over Thumb.

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BABY REFLEXOLOGY 1 MINUTE MASSAGE REMEDIES FOR YOUR CHILD HOW CAN I HELP MY BABY SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT? CAN I MASSAGE THE FEET TO RELIEVE COLIC? HOW CAN I HELP MY BABY’S CONSTIPATION?

This book gives you the means to relieve your baby’s discomfort. Baby reflexology can be compared to a remote control – all you need to do is press the buttons lightly to get the desired result. It only takes 1 minute and all you need are your hands and loving attention.

Baby reflexology can help with: • Relaxation • Constipation • Colic • Sleeplessness (including insomnia) • Colds • Teething • Eye infections • Ear infections

This book explains simple techniques

• Deeper bonding with your child

in a playful simple way so that they are easy to remember. All you need to do is remember names like the Penguin and the Octopus.

Floor Tuinstra (1981) is the first baby reflexologist in the Netherlands.

She has given lessons abroad and in the Netherlands since 2012 to children’s physiotherapists, maternity carers, neonatologists, midwives, reflexologists, paediatric nurses, baby massage and yoga teachers, fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.

Babies experience rapid results from reflexology and sleep better, suffer less or not at all from colic, feel more comfortable and produce full nappies again!

ISBN 978-90-829449-9-0