Really, it’s so simple. Just gently press the sole of the foot a few times. Your target is the ball of the foot just below the big toe. How often? How much? I don’t have an answer but let experience be your guide. Below are studies that may help.
At least three studies hold promise for success. In one study, for half the babies the number of crying incidents lessened from 90 minus of crying time over 24 hours to less than 30 minutes of crying time. (1)
In another study, reflexology was applied to the infants two days a week for three weeks. “… the mean ICS (Infant Colic Scale) score of the study group was significantly lower than that of control group at the end of the intervention (p < 0.001).
In another study, reflexologists provided three to four sessions over an 8 to 12 day period. A standardized 20-30 minutes of body reflexology work was provided over an hour, creating a relaxed atmosphere and exchange of information with the parents. The session consisted of “gentle pressure treatment of soles and feet, hands, head, face, ears, back, neck and whole stomach area”. Results: “The series of the treatments helped reduce the suffering of all the babies with infant colic. The colic symptoms disappeared on 43% of infants and decreased on the remaining 57%. The parents reported having pleasant experiences with the treatment, regardless whether the colic symptoms disappeared or continued. Parents stated that the treatment reduced the most typical colic symptoms; infants' body tension, colic crying and restless movements, poor sleep quality and irregular bowel movements.”
For more tips about using reflexology to keep your baby happy and healthy, see Reflexology for Children and Complete Reflexology for Life.
(1) Författare: Bennedbaek O, Viktor J, Carlsen KS, Roed H, Vinding H, Lundbye-Christensen S., "Originalets titel: Infants with colic. A heterogeneous group possible to cure? Treatment by pediatric consultation followed by a study of the effect of zone therapy on incurable colic," Publicerad: Ugeskr Laeger 2001 Jul 2;163(27):3773-8).
(2) Icke S, Genc R. Effect of Reflexology on Infantile Colic. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(6):584-588. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0315
(3) Hannula, Leena, Puukka, Pauli, Asunmaa, Marjut, Mäkijärvi, Markku, “A pilot study of parents’ experiences of reflexology treatment for infants with colic in Finland,” Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 2019/11/01
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