Soothing Tummy Massage
Parent gently massages baby's tummy using downward strokes and circular motions to help relieve stomach discomfort. The agent coaches the parent to observe baby's relaxation response, social connection during caregiving, and body awareness as baby experiences soothing 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. Baby should be alert but not immediately after feeding. No materials needed — just clean, warm hands.
How it works
- 1~25s
Start by warming your hands together. Gently place both hands on your child's tummy — one hand on each side of their belly button. Just rest 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 signs of relaxation and comfort in response to parent's soothing touch during tummy massage.
- 2~30s
Now begin gentle downward strokes. With both hands, slowly slide from your child's ribs down toward their lower abdomen. Use light, consistent pressure — think of helping things move downward naturally. As you do this, maintain eye contact with your child if they is looking at you. Does your child stay engaged with you during the massage? Does they watch your face, make eye contact, or seem attuned to your presence?
Watch for: Baby shows social attunement during massage — making eye contact, responding to parent's presence, and engaging socially.
- 3~35s
Now add circular motions at your child's lower abdomen. After each downward stroke, make three gentle clockwise circles with your hands. Watch how your child responds to this different motion. Does they seem aware of the change? You might see their hands move toward their tummy, their legs kick differently, or their attention shift. Also notice if your child seems generally more comfortable — less fussing, more relaxed breathing.
Watch for: Baby shows awareness of different massage techniques on their body, indicating developing body mapping.