Tummy Soothing Massage
Parent performs a gentle tummy massage to help relieve baby's colic or stomach discomfort. The agent coaches the parent to observe baby's relaxation responses, social connection during caregiving, and physical comfort cues — building trust and providing relief through nurturing touch.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Baby lying on back on a soft, padded surface. Room should be warm and calm. Best done when baby is alert but not immediately after feeding. No materials needed — can be done over clothes or on bare skin.
How it works
- 1~25s
Start by warming your hands together. Gently place both hands on your child's tummy — one hand just below the ribs, the other on the lower abdomen. Hold them there for a moment, letting your child feel your warm touch. Watch their face closely — does your child seem to relax into your hands? You might see their breathing slow down, their muscles soften, or a little sigh. Tell me what you notice.
Watch for: Baby shows trust and connection during caregiving touch — relaxing, making eye contact, or calming in response to parent's hands.
- 2~35s
Now begin the massage movement. Place one hand just below your child's ribs and gently slide it down toward the lower abdomen. Alternate hands — as one hand finishes, the other begins — creating a continuous, soothing rhythm. Use gentle pressure, following the natural curve of their tummy. Watch your child's face and body — does they seem to enjoy the rhythmic motion? Does they make any sounds or facial expressions that show relief?
Watch for: Baby shows physical relaxation in response to soothing touch — reduced muscle tension, slower breathing, calm facial expression.
- 3~30s
As you continue the gentle massage, focus on the social connection. Make eye contact with your child and use a soft, reassuring voice. You might say 'Does that feel better?' or 'I'm here to help.' Notice if your child looks back at you, reaches for your face, or shows any signs of emotional connection during this caregiving moment. Does they seem to understand you're providing comfort?
Watch for: Baby makes eye contact with parent during comforting touch, showing social connection and understanding of caregiving intent.