Massage These Pressure Points To Relax and Soothe a Fussy Baby, Reflexology Experts Say

One of the most challenging parts of having a baby is not always knowing why they are upset. If you have a fussy baby and you’ve tried everything else, reflexology might be the key to calming them.

Reflexology 101

Reflexology is the application of pressure to the feet and hands. The theory behind reflexology is that certain pressure points on the feet and hands correspond to organs elsewhere in the body. Reflexology practitioners use mapped points on the hands and feet to invigorate other parts of the body by massaging or applying pressure to these points. (1, 2)

Reflexology has its origins in ancient Egypt and China. A mural in an Egyptian pyramid offers evidence that reflexology was practiced there as early as 2330 BC. Dr. William Fitzgerald brought reflexology to the United States as “zone therapy” in 1915. During the 1930s, Eunice Ingram, a physiotherapist, further developed Fitzgerald’s practices into what is now modern reflexology. (1, 2)

Reflexology for Your Fussy Baby

While reflexology should never be used as the only treatment for a condition, it may help calm your fussy baby. If you’ve tried all of the usual methods — feeding, rocking, diaper changing, napping — reflexology could be the thing that soothes your child. (1)

According to the Mayo Clinic, reflexology is generally low-risk. It can be helpful for stress relief and relaxation. And anything that calms your baby and ceases relentless crying will also be good for you, lowering your own stress level. (1, 3)

The Zones of a Baby’s Foot

Your baby’s foot is divided into six different zones, which reflexology says correspond with other parts of the body (4):

Their toes correspond with their head, teeth, and sinuses
Just below the toes corresponds to the chest area
The mid-section of the foot corresponds to the upper and lower abdomen

The heel corresponds to the pelvic area

Using Reflexology to Soothe Your Fussy Baby

You may want to take a generalized approach to reflexology with your baby before using it for more targeted soothing. Midwife Sophia England told Good Housekeeping that you can practice reflexology on your baby for up to 10 minutes by lightly touching their feet. (4)

To get started, she recommends just holding your baby’s feet. If they seem comfortable with this, you can circle your thumb over the solar plexus area right above the middle of the foot. Then, brush your thumb from under the big toe all the way down to the heel. End by circling your thumb clockwise in the arch of their foot. Then, repeat on the other foot. (4)

If at any time during reflexology, your baby tries moving away, kicks at you, or continues crying, England says that you should stop. But if your baby seems happy and comforted by reflexology, it is fine to continue. (4)

To be safe, check with your baby’s pediatrician before trying reflexology on them. And if they seem to be in pain or have another condition, take them to the doctor. However, if you just have a fussy baby on your hands, reflexology might be just the thing they need!.
The ball of the foot correlates to the solar plexus.