Winding your baby
In this article we will discuss winding your baby. Every baby is different and therefore every baby winds differently and each parent finds and develops their own techniques in order to help get the winds out.
A trapped wind or gas can cause a lot of upset in your tiny human.
What can cause a trapped wind
Watch your little one as they feed and if they are feeding too fast, they may be taking air in during a feed. When they pull off the breast or bottle or refuse to take more there may be a trapped wind which is causing them irritation, try and wind them before carrying on the feed.
Your baby has an immature gut and does not move a lot during the day which allows winds to get trapped, before and during a feed. If your baby is happy before a feed, you can try and get wind before you feed.
Winding is passive process that takes place, when you are winding your baby you are just aiding the process. If there is no wind after 5 minutes of winding, do not try and force the wind as the wind that you get after 30 minutes of trying may be more from swallowed air from an irritated baby than from the wind taken in during the feed.
Different techniques for winding your baby
- Lay your baby over your shoulder and stretch out their backs, rub in an upwards motion, encouraging a slight arch in their back. Between rubs you can do gentle patting
- Sit your baby on your lap and gently support their heads by placing your hand under their chin. Gently support your babies upper back and stroke upwards, causing a slight arch as you do. You can also bounce your knee a little to help and aid the process
When winding start with the position your baby usually responds to before trying a different position.
How chiropractic for babies can help
A restricted and tight middle back might be causing an irritation and preventing your baby from winding naturally. Chiropractic care for babies can help remove the restrictions through the spine, releasing tension in the back allowing for smooth movement to get the winds out. By removing restrictions through the spine, chiropractic care for babies can help ease an overstimulated baby by de-stimulating the nervous system and activating a rest and digest state. This helps babies feed, wind and sleep better.
