Never Massage a Baby Upside Down — It Can Cause Permanent Brain Damage

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video is a strong warning against massaging a baby while holding them upside down or dangling them by the hands and feet. The risks explained in the video: Brain damage and bleeding – massaging in this way can cause permanent brain damage to the child. A blood vessel in the child's brain can burst, and bleeding can occur in the eyes and inside the brain. This happens because blood circulation to the child's brain suddenly increases when they are held upside down. Neck injury – a child's head size is quite large and their neck muscles are not that strong, so because the head is not balanced, injury to the neck can also occur. Milk regurgitation and aspiration – in small children the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach is not properly developed, so on being held upside down the milk can regurgitate, get stuck in the child's throat, and aspiration can happen. What to do: If you see anyone at home or anywhere else massaging a baby like this — hanging them upside down or by the hands and feet — stop them immediately. Never massage a baby this way. Relevant for: parents or family members who massage babies by holding them upside down or by the limbs; parents who have seen a maalishwali or relative do this and want to know if it is safe; parents worried about brain bleeding, burst blood vessels, eye bleeding or neck injury from massage; parents asking why babies' necks and heads need support during massage; and parents concerned about milk regurgitation, choking or aspiration during massage. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please seek immediate medical attention if your baby has been handled this way and shows vomiting, excessive crying, drowsiness, seizures, breathing difficulty, or any change in behaviour.