Gentle tummy rubs may ease feeding woes for critically ill infants

This study looked at whether abdominal massage can reduce stomach problems like vomiting, bloating, and poor digestion in young children (1-24 months old) who are on breathing machines and fed through a tube in the pediatric intensive care unit. Nurses gave gentle belly massages and checked things like stomach residue, bowel sounds, and vomiting. The goal was to see if this simple, low-cost technique could improve feeding tolerance and comfort for these fragile patients.