Newborn Baby Massage Benefits - When to Start & How to Massage, Precautions
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Created by Ridhi Doomra Updated on Aug 31, 2020

Traditionally, babies have always been massaged with oil before a bath; this is still popular today, because it has great advantages over massaging creams and lotions. A typical scenario: Before bathing the baby, your aaya or you make the newborn baby comfortable on a soft cloth/towel, grab oil and gently start massaging in gentle soothing motions from upwards to downwards, right? Well, not quite – here's how to get it right.
Benefits of Baby Body Massage for Your 0-12 Months
Baby Massaging in a proper way, at the proper time, and by using proper oil can really be beneficial for our child. Let me share some benefits of massaging a infant which has made me massage her till date:
- Feeling of Security: The direct contact time that a mother spends while breastfeeding and massaging during initial few days of her child helps babies to feel secure and safe. Massaging a baby promotes a strong bond, helps them to cry less, helps regulate their breath, and keeps the baby warm
- Improves Blood circulation: Massage helps to improve the blood circulation in your baby's body. At a young age, the flow of blood to extremities like hands and legs is relatively less, hence the more time the mother dedicates to massaging these parts, the better is the blood flow and hence baby's growth
- Improves digestion and bowel movements: The vagus nerve connects the brain with important parts of body, including the stomach. Massage stimulates these nerves, hence improving digestion and bowel movement, helping your baby to grow
- Soothes and relaxes the baby: How do you feel after a good massage? Relaxed, right? The same way, mild massage soothes your baby and makes them relaxed and less anxious. They feel loved and cared for
- Improves colic: A gentle massage can be helpful to release trapped gas and hence soothe a baby who has been colicky. Bending the babies knees upwards so that they touch the baby's abdomen can help expel gas and this can be done when massaging the baby
- Calm respond to stress and pain: Baby massage helps your baby respond more calmly to stress and pain. Regular massage makes babies less fussy and more comfortable in their environment
- Improves and regulates your baby's sleeping patterns: If given at the proper time, massage improves and regulates your baby's sleeping patterns by relaxing the tired muscles
- Brain activity for premature babies: Babies who are born prematurely respond to massages by developing a more stable brain activity at a normal level
When To Start Massaging for Your Newborn?
We all know that for a newborn baby, touch is the first sense that develops. It also soothes and relaxes them. Even when we grow older, a gentle touch or a quiet stroke can help us relax and heal. Thus, unless he/she is premature or it is medically advised, baby body massage can be started right after the birth. However, most mothers prefer to wait for a couple of days to make a massage routine. If you are starting massaging your newborn before her umbilical stump has fallen off, make sure to avoid the belly area or be very, very careful with it. For premature babies, it is advisable to wait atleast till they actually reach their due date.
How Do I Massage My Baby?
After choosing an oil and a comfortable time for massaging the infant, the next step is to get started with the massage. Make him comfortable on a mat in a warm and cozy room. The little baby should be comfortable and not hungry or bored. Clean your hands and take some oil and start massaging the soles of baby's feet. Make sure your strokes are gentle yet firm, and smooth and soft. The hands should move downwards to upwards in a circular motion. Massage your new born baby's legs from ankle to thighs, leaving the genital area. Start from upper body massage by making gentle strokes in towards the chest from the shoulders. Head for the arms from the shoulders to the wrists. Massage baby's tummy gently with circular clockwise strokes, this also helps release gas. Massage baby's back by placing her on her tummy in long, head to toe strokes. Making small circles with your fingers you can massage your little one's scalp.
How Can I Massage My Baby To Sleep?
How do you feel when you are getting a massage yourself? Drifting away to sleep as your body relaxes and mind calms down, isn't it? Massaging offers the same comfort to babies as well, and most babies feel sleepy and relaxed by the end of it. Some babies even fall asleep during the massage! When you are massaging your baies less than 12 months to sleep, first thing is to make sure that you commit this time to her. Keep all things you need handy - towels, diapers, massage oil, and a baby pillow. Work your way from the baby's feet to the head, slowly and gradually, talking and singing to the baby in low tones. Make sure the room is comfortably warm, and there are no distractions - keep the room lights low and dim. As you follow the basics of massaging a baby, make sure your movements are tender and gradual, and the baby looks and feels comfortable. End the massage by cuddling your baby and telling her how much you love her. Sets the perfect start to a good night's sleep!
Which Oil Is Best For Baby Massaging?
The best oil? I suggest coconut oil, the richest source of Vitamin E. If your baby and you do not like the strong smell of coconut oil, you may opt for olive oil. Many mothers also use almond oil for massage or our very own mustard oil for baby massaging. Choice of oil also depends on the season, for example, in winters most Indian mothers prefer mustard oil because it has a heating effect. Almond oil is also considered equally good in winters, and so is olive oil. In summers, coconut oil and sesame oil is preferred for baby massage. Choose an oil that suits the weather, and your baby's skin.
Always remember to dab a little oil on your baby's skin, to see if it has any allergic reaction.
Newborn Baby Massage Oil Available ein Market
Now that we know the most common oils used for massage, you might be wondering if these oils are safe for massaging a newborn in the initial days as well. Just because I like coconut oil or someone else prefers mustard oil, you should not stick to them. Make an informed choice by considering the factors like skin condition of the newborn, season when the baby is born, and your own personal preference. For example, vegetable oils containing oleic acid shouuld not be used for babies who have sensitive and dry skin. Examples of such oils are olive oil and sunflower oil. If your newborn baby has eczema, go for coconut oil. Mustard oil should be preferred in winters and in places with modearte climate- do not use mustard oil for massaging a baby where the climate is predominantly hot. Almond oil has the added benefits of Vitamin E- so it is very good for dry baby skin during winters. Sesame oil, derived from black sesame seeds is also light like coconut oil is preferred in summers for infant massage. Sesame oil is also backed by Ayurvedic science. So basically, depending on your infant's skin, season, your preference and the baby's liking, choose your newborn baby's massage oil.
What Precautions Should I Take During Massaging 0-12 Month Baby?
- Make sure that the room you are in is warm and well lit
- Make sure that your baby is well rested and fed, and is in a happy mood
- If you have heated the oil, make sure it is not too hot or you may burn your baby's skin
- Your baby's comfort is of prime importance, so if at any point your baby seems uncomfortable or fussy, stop
- Also, an important piece of advice my doctor gave me was to not allow even a drop of oil from going into the nose and ears, as it may lead to a fungal infection
It would be great to hear from you on your experiences while massaging your baby? How do you feel? Do you feel that your baby is reaping the benefits? Please do share in the comments section below. Happy Massaging!
This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.











| Oct 28, 2016
hi all. i am a new mom.. i am sure all of us are bewildered and excited to have this tiny bundle of joy in our hands .. finally after months of pregnancy and labour.. so obv getting to do something for them calls for the new parents to seek guidance from the experienced and to stay informed .. and so on this grounds i have been researching quite a lot online and by speaking to other moms and the experienced.. i came across a blog here saying olive oil is good for massage for the baby.. however i understand that infact olive oil isnt good as it contains some enzyme which depletes the baby's skin of its natural essential oils and eventually destroys the basic protective layer.. pls new moms.. pls chk your resources to confirm and follow accordingly..









| Nov 09, 2016
Oil messaging is never harmful no matter what the age is, so one can continue it till the baby feels shy to get it done from you. But in winters even if your kids are teens or pro teens or whatever age they are in, ask them to apply coconut oil before bath or if applying before bath, at-least keep a gap of 45 mins atlest. Message till the oil gets soaked in completely

| Nov 09, 2016
one stop solution for all massaging doubts http://www.worldofmoms.com/articles/doctors-are-warning-against-these-mistakes-while-massaging-your-baby/4373/2?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=FCWOM&utm_content=article-doctors-are-warning-against-20161109



| Dec 05, 2016
yes. I am mother of4 months baby and use to do massage it's work great for baby. effects on skin , increase blood circulation, good for bones, help baby in sleep as after massage and bath baby will get deep sleep for many hours. you can massage baby till 4-5 years after 1-2 years at least do it in weekend so it's surely help child.

| Dec 05, 2016
one more thing I want say after 3-4 months at my house practices to massage babies with mixed powder. it's mixture of pissi masur ki dal ka, kapurkachli, haldi in very less amount, chandan, mix all these powder in malai 2-3 drops of ghee and apply on babies and massage with this mixture after massage of oil. it's really helpful baby will become more fair and help in removing all hair on baby's body. but before using these mixture apply all ingredients alone with malai on baby so you can to know either it's suit your baby or not. Don't use such ingredients which readies baby body.


| Dec 14, 2016
@ Dr seema. massage your baby before bath. in winter also u can do in the morning just close door and Windows of room and specially fan should be off when ever you massage baby. kapurkachli u may get in any ayurvedic or herbal store. m living in valsad where m getting in biyaran center. where you live???? I will find it's other name and inform you later.





| Dec 22, 2016
yes seema. we can just don't apply around eyes. other everywhere u can use. it's helps a lot to remove hair. specially forehead upper lips. baby will surely cry when you massage your face but it's ok. it's for their benefits only. as all kids of my family use to cry when we massage their faces.


| Jan 01, 2017
Mere baby 8 month ki h.... m use day 6 se masag kr rhi Hu.... atlst 15 to 20 min n 2 tyms a day..... bt fir bhi use vo Sab prblms h jo es blog me xplan ki gaye h.... constipation, dry n dull skin, wek bones... n uski neend kam h.... masag krne ke bad bhi vo nhi soti....


| Jan 01, 2017
thnku kinjal fr ur sgtsn.... m es blog ke agnst me bat kr rhi thi.... ki muje masag se kuch khas benefits nhi lage... waise masag ke alwa bhi kr rhi Hu. ...constipation ke liye papaya lukwrm wtr n lgt n liquid food de rhi Hu. ..Dry n dull skin ke liye crm glcrn n ab 3 tym masag kr rhi Hu. ..masag m hvy prsr se hi krti hu.. wek bones ke liye multi vitamin n vitamin D ki medicine de rhi Hu sath hi sunlgt bhi.... n baby ko relax wali neend aye fir chahe vo 10 min hi soye uske liye m uske sath kafi tym spnd krti hu... taki vo bahut tired ho jaye... etc... aise toh m odr things try kr rhi Hu....














| Feb 21, 2017
Hi everyone.. My baby is 7 and half months old.. he is not taking milk at all from the last 20-25 days... earlier I used to feed him through feeder.. but when he stopped taking feeder I started with sipper... but he is not taking sipper also.. neither he is taking milk with glass.. once he comes to know that it's milk he start crying.. tried some sugar also in milk.. but all in vein.. please tell me what to do.. I am very tensed as milk at this stage is very important.. atleast once in a day... plz give it suggestions asap... very imp. for me..





| Mar 12, 2017
hi bhumi.. I am also going through many new experiences ..I want to tell you don't start massaging babies of tender age with coconut oil or olive oil... coz you may not know he/she gets irritated from a heavy oil.. when Adwit(my son)was 6 months old I used Himalaya baby massage oil for him as he was going through same problem.. and this oil is very light too. most importantly try to massage warm oil and make the massage a fun for your lil one.. surely going to enjoy.. good luck
