It's important to understand the basic anatomy of the digestive system.

Imagine an upside down "U".

The ascending colon goes up from the top of the right leg to the bottom of the ribs on the right side.

The transverse colon runs from the top of the ascending colon across the tummy.

The descending colon goes down from the bottom of the left side, below the ribs, to the top of the left leg.

The digestive system naturally flows this way and it is imperative to support that rather than press against it.

Massaging an infant’s stomach can do wonders for gas pains, digestion, and colic discomfort.

• Lay your hands on baby’s belly and send calming love.

• Always massage the tummy in a clockwise direction.

• If baby has not been diapered through the massage so far, it may be a good idea to keep a cloth diaper nearby while working on their stomach.

• Massage the belly in a clockwise direction using gentle but firm strokes.

• Using your fingertips, "walk the colon". This helps gas and elimination through the intestines.

• Start on the descending colon and begin at the bottom.

• Walk up the colon while pressing clockwise.

• (Even though the direction you are heading is counterclockwise, the pressure will be clockwise, essentially, walking backwards. Please see the video for more information on this technique.)

• Next, 'walk' across the transverse colon. Start where you left off at the top of the descending colon and walk over to the top of the ascending colon.

• Finish by walking the ascending colon. Start at the top by the ribs and walk down to the beginning of the colon.

• Gently sweep the entire colon, from beginning of ascending to the end of descending.

• The “I Love You” technique is very similar, it has the same intention as the colon walking but is less detailed and uses less strokes.

• With one or two fingers slide gently down the descending colon, forming the “I”.

• The next movement forms the “L”, across the transverse colon to where you started the “I” and move down the descending colon.

• Finish the “U” by pressing from the beginning of the ascending colon, across the transverse colon, and down the descending colon.

• Remind the parents to speak the words while they massage them!

• Another great move that will help baby's gas or discomfort is to start around the belly button and massage in small circles, circling around the belly button growing your circle wider.

• As your circle gets bigger you will reach the perimeter of the tummy, having massaged it entirely in smaller motions.

• The bicycle is a wonderful technique for babies who have gas or may be constipated.

• Press the left leg up to the torso. This straightens the rectum and presses on the descending colon, typically encouraging the passage of gas and feces.

• Slowly alternate with the right leg.

• Keep in mind that while all of these techniques are good for infants, we never want to overstimulate them. It's easy to do too much with a sensitive new baby so instruct parents to use their instincts and listen to baby's signals.

• Incorporate a smooth, relaxing transition up to the chest.

• Lay both hands on baby’s chest and fan outwards.

• Draw a heart with the pads of your fingers or full palm if there is space by starting at the bottom of the sternum, glide up and out over the chest, down around the torso and back up to the starting point again.

• Massage in small circles on the chest and rib cage.

• Gently "scrub" in between each rib. (Just as some adults may feel tickled by this technique, so may an infant, do not continue if you think this is the case.)

• Use your thumbs just under the rib cage and move from the center to baby’s sides, open your palm under baby's back and gently pull up.

• Finish this area with another "love hold" resting one or both of your hands and sending loving warmth through to baby’s core.