Help Is At Hand Parents!

It’s 10pm, your newborn little one is really upset and you are becoming increasingly distressed about it. You’ve been to the GP, the Public Health Nurse, and the Paediatrician and they’ve all said “Ah it’s a touch of colic.”

This doesn’t help you. Sometimes what’s needed alongside clinical advice is a more empathetic, nurturing approach for both baby and parent.

Understanding Colic and Reflux in Babies

Colic involves prolonged crying episodes without any clear cause. The most obvious cause is some sort of discomfort, but that can feel vague and difficult to address in pragmatic terms, so how is it dealt with in practice? Many parents feel like they’re dealing with it alone.

Reflux on the other hand, occurs when milk flows back from stomach, up into the ‘gullet’ or oesophagus causing discomfort. It can have a bitter, burning sensation due to stomach acid in the flowback and that is not pleasant for poor baby.

Both are quite common symptoms in early infancy. That what is important to remember – both colic and reflux are actually symptoms, not the issue. Does that make sense? Both are somewhat digestive system-related. Ultimately, both are often linked to how the digestive system is functioning and settling in those early weeks. More on that later.

What Parents Often Notice …

NB: Please don’t go looking for these signs if they are not present.
Dealing with the ones you have noticed is challenging enough.

Why These Early Weeks Can Feel So Overwhelming …

Becoming parent to a newborn, whether it’s your first or your fifth, is an incredibly special time. It’s far too special a time to be wasted on constant worry, upset and being sleep deprived. To be honest, this area of my work really lights a fire under me. I’m incredibly passionate and protective of my new parent clients at times like this.

The sleep deprivation can really be debilitating, particularly if you have more than one child to care for. Being the main source of solace for your newborn or infant, because you simply can’t put them down really pushes the ‘over touched’ feeling of anxiety that many parents often feel.

When you are worried about your baby’s discomfort, are unable to ease it and are feeling at a loss as to what to do, it is so common to slip into the mode of punishing judgement of yourself and your ability to parent.

An upset newborn is overwhelming enough, without beating yourself up about it too!

When you have a newborn, you need to take care of YOURSELF too – why not sign up for my complimentary Breathe Easy Guide to boost your energy and calm your mind.

Sinead

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an ancient hands-on therapy using gentle pressure on specific (reflex) points of the hands, feet, ears or face. The principal belief is that these reflex points correspond with the body’s various systems, supporting relaxation, bringing about balance or homeostasis, and overall wellbeing.

How Reflexology May Help Ease Discomfort …

By encouraging the body’s muscles and tissues to relax and supporting your newborn’s digestive function, reflexology may help reduce tension within the body, ease the discomfort of trapped or excess wind, and promote calmness in baby, helping them to settle more comfortably.

This is a win-win for parent and infant as when baby is feeling more comfortable and less distressed, the parent is able to relax a little, set aside some of the worry (for now 😉) and possibly even catch up on some much-needed sleep. Baby will begin to nurse more comfortably, settle with more ease and sleep more soundly.

Key Reflex Points Are Linked to Digestion

As with all reflex points, there are specific ones for all aspects of the digestive system from the mouth to the other end. Gentle stimulation of these points, as well as an overall therapy treatment, supports digestive processes and helps to relieve the distressing discomfort linked to colic and reflux.

Many people don’t realise the hands, ears and face can also receive reflexology, although generally the feet are used as the surface area is larger and so deeper relaxation can occur.

What a Gentle Reflexology Session looks like for Baby …

My newborn and infant reflexology sessions are very much baby-led. Permission from baby as well as parent is important, as is gentle touch. It is important to not ‘impose’ oneself on baby and its little body.

When a newborn is presenting with discomfort it can often have been the case since birth and delivery. The last thing baby wants is to be poked and prodded in its sore little body. Being mindful of that alone, will aid the development of trust between the therapist, baby and parents.

Connection with the family is very important, as this is the environment within which baby will heal.

Subtle Changes Parents Might Observe Afterwards …

There are quite a few subtle changes which parents may notice. Some more obvious than others, all indicative of positive movement forward in baby’s healing.

The shifts and changes are gentle and although at times gradual it is not unusual for some parents to notice more immediate changes.

Supporting Your Baby Between Sessions

I advocate for three sessions minimum and at times, that is all that is needed. In between each session, gentle movements which will have been shared, supportive environments, rest and responsive feeding will support your baby’s comfort. It is important that parents are encouraged and supported to develop their own rhythm with baby, to continue the healing at home, long after the therapist has said ‘goodbye for now’.

Closing Thoughts for Tired Parents

Know you are not alone. You are doing your best at a really challenging time. You deserve as much support as possible, so reach out and ask for it. Let’s bring some small moments of calm to life, for both you and your baby. I haven’t met a baby yet who didn’t trust me to support their comfort and settling.

Would you like to know more about Reflexology and Reflexology for Newborns?

How To Work With Me …

You can find more information about newborn assessments and reflexology from my Maternity Reflexology and Specialised Reflexology pages where you can also book your sessions.

Read other Blogs in this series here

Please note: Reflexology works alongside medical care, not as a replacement for it.

Word Count: 1,148
Date: 19th March 2026
© SineadCKavanagh