Yellow: Head
Blue: Sinuses
Orange: Solar Plexus
Pink: Upper Abdomen
Purple: Lower Abdomen
Red: Pelvis
Reflexology is a holistic therapy based on the idea that the whole body is mapped out on the feet and the different areas correspond to different body systems, by massaging the relevant areas you can relieve tension and encourage flow to the corresponding system.
For adults the reflexology charts are pretty involved but it is possible to simplify these for tiny baby feet and the usual problems and pains our little monkeys deal with.
Whether you believe in reflexology or not a good foot massage is a great way to calm cranky babies (if you can get them to sit down for long enough) so before whipping out Luna’s feet I try and relax her as much as possible, these days I try and work it in with her usual bed time routine, which generally means doing it with Iggle Piggle dancing around in the background, which isn’t ideal but the only time I can get her to stay still! I also like to dim the lights and burn essential oils such as lavender or ylang ylang. I use warm coconut oil for the massage but you could also use baby oil.
I usually use reflexology when teething bites us in the butt, teething has so many horrible side effects that any relief for our babes has to be a good thing!
I start with a general massage, making small circling movements over the whole foot, top and sole. Next I do long strokes and a thumb walk (exactly what it sounds like) from top to bottom of the foot which stimulates blood circulation and draining of the lymphatic system, helpful for the digestive issues associated with teething.
The area of the foot most associated with teething is the base of each toe, I take a while during each massage to apply pressure to these areas (where I’m squeezing in the photo) these are acupressure points and the idea is that when you release the hold the blood flows back into it giving it renewed energy.
The same method can be applied to the tips of the toes for a cold and gentle massage of the arch to heel area for constipation.
Finish off with a toe nibble (cos who can resist) and your done, just in time for the tittifers to sing their song. (Ugh).
Nemimothers 