Proven Benefits of Oil Massage for Babies

The loving touch of a parent’s hands is very special for a newborn. After staying in the womb for months, the warmth of a parent’s body makes the child feel safe and content. There are various ways to shower your baby with your magical touch, and oil massage surely tops the list.

Your baby’s soft giggles, cuddles, and tiny fist wrapped around your fingers make massages blissful for parents. Moreover, a good baby massage oil aids growth, strengthens the body, relaxes the mind, and connects babies with their parents. Curious to know more about oil massage with good baby skin care products for babies?

Stay with us till the end to learn about massage benefits, techniques, best baby massage oils, safety tips, and more. 

What is Baby Oil Massage?

Baby Oil Massage is a time-honoured practice embraced by most Indian cultures. Referred to as Shishu Abhyanga in Ayurveda, oil massage involves stroking a baby’s body with gentle hands in rhythmic patterns on the legs, hands, chest, fingers, wrists, etc. It benefits kids' mind, body, and emotional health. 

The main idea behind massaging babies is to strengthen their bones and muscles, support their walking, and comfort them. But this is not it. Several advantages are associated with baby oil massages, which can help lay a healthy foundation for your little one's future life.

Benefits of Baby Massage

An everyday tel maalish of your baby can do wonders to their growth and development. The list given here will help you recognise the various benefits of using an Ayurvedic baby massage:

1. Strengthens bones and muscles

In most Indian households, oil massages are given to newborns to strengthen their bones and support muscle development. Plus, massages have been proven to increase blood circulation in the body. A good blood flow ensures the kids have a healthy body, sharp mind, and glowing skin. You must add an all-natural massage oil to our baby skincare products list to bless them with herbal goodness.

2. Establishes a bond between parent and child

One of the most extraordinary things about oil massages is their emotional relevance. Those stretches, presses, and pulls are not just physical contacts but a beautiful way to bond with your little one. Moreover, massages help you understand your baby’s movements, body language, and expressions easily.

Reports suggest that physical touch builds trust and emotional connection between parents and their children. This ensures your baby feels safe and loved in your presence, aiding their emotional growth.

The best way to oil massage your newborn is to indulge in sweet conversations with them. Narrate stories, make funny expressions, play, and interact with your little one during massage time. You will be amazed to see their responsiveness to your words with hand gestures, soft giggles, or illegible talk.  

3. Improves digestion and relieves colic

Kids are likely to face frequent digestive issues. Whether it is gas, indigestion, or colic - seeing them in pain is very hurtful. But do you know that a gentle herbal oil massage can relieve your child's digestive problems? Yes, it can.

Massaging your child’s tiny belly can help move the gas and comfort them instantly from gas pain or bloating. Moreover, regular tel malish is believed to regularise the baby’s bowel movements, ensuring relief from constipation.

Lastly, massages are a natural solution for easing colicky babies. It helps reduce the frequency and severity of colic pain. For instant stomach ache relief, you can use baby care products like a tummy roll on with natural ingredients like hing, fennel, ginger, etc. It helps ease stomach pain, colic, and other common digestive problems in kids. 

4. Reduces stress and relaxes the baby

Newborn babies are likely to feel stressed, act fussy, and moody on most days. And no scolding or getting angry won’t calm them. But thankfully, a soothing massage with a gentle baby massage oil can put them at ease.

On such not-so-good days, gently massage your infant while keeping them close to you. This will fill them with a sense of safety and comfort, reducing the buildup of stress hormones in their tiny bodies.

Moreover, the magic of your hand movements during the massage and sweet talks will quickly calm their stressed body and mind. Remember, a relaxed baby will likely be more positive, happy, and chirpy. 

5. Effective in improving sleep

Your little one needs a lot of rest and sleep to enjoy healthy growth. But what if they can’t sleep on some nights? In such a case, a good tel maalish with the right baby skin care products can be the ultimate solution to put your baby to sleep.

As mentioned above, a gentle oil massage relaxes a baby’s body and calms their mind. It helps loosen the tensed muscles and knots. Thus increasing the chance of your baby to fall asleep comfortably. 

What is the best time to start oil massaging your baby?

Childcare experts suggest that parents introduce their newborns to human touch from birth. The skin-to-skin or kangaroo care, where one of the parents holds the baby on their naked chest, helps comfort the restless baby. It is very beneficial for premature or underweight kids.

You can start giving an Ayurvedic baby massage oil maalish to your kid after the first few weeks of their birth. Ensure your baby is calm, awake, and happy before you massage them, or they might get restless and start crying. Always be gentle with your infant while massaging, and avoid techniques that add pressure on their tiny bodies.

Take note of your baby’s actions, like body stiffening or head shakes, as these cannot be good signs for starting a massage. Further, avoid giving a massage at least 45 minutes after feeding, as it may cause vomiting.     

Getting ready to massage your baby

You can make massage time fruitful and comforting for your little one by following some tips and techniques. The list is given here:

Create a cozy environment

Choose a warm, quiet corner in your house to massage your infant. You can dim the lights or play soft music that calms the baby. Keep all the essential baby skin care products you might need during or after the massage ready and close to you. This can be the herbal massage oil, towel, or natural baby body lotion needed after massaging and bathing the baby. 

Interaction is the key

Keep your baby close to yourself while massaging their body. You can say good things, such as praises, or sing songs as you lay your baby down and undress them for the massage. Constant interaction can help strengthen your bond with the little one. 

Be gentle

Your baby is delicate and sensitive. When massaging, ensure your hands apply gentle yet firm pressure on the baby’s tiny body. If your moves are too soft, it can tickle the baby. Similarly, you can hurt your baby with excess pressure. Always prefer medium pressure, like the one you apply when kneading the dough. 

Consistency can do magic

A consistent massage routine for your baby can ensure healthy growth and development of their body and mind. You can opt for a quick 5-minute massage when your baby feels calm, alert, and happy. Don’t pressurize yourself; enjoy it as a fun bonding time with your precious human. 

Best techniques for massaging your baby 

Massaging a baby is a well-designed process with multiple steps. Before starting, ensure you have created the right environment and have all the massaging essentials close to you.

• Take a sufficient amount of baby massage oil on your palm. Rub your palms together to warm the oil. This activates the natural ingredients in the baby massage oil and ensures good absorption into the skin. 
• Start by massaging your baby’s legs and feet. Rub the oil onto their thighs and calves with little squeezes. You can either do it from top to bottom or bottom to top. Lightly press on the soles and wiggle the toes. 
• Next, go for their hands and arms. Give strokes from their shoulder down to their hands. Gently pull at each finger to release the tension knots. 
• Post this, spread oil on your baby’s chest and stomach. Move your hands clockwise, circularly, and with light pressure. 
• The next step is to use baby massage oil on your newborn’s back. For this, lay your baby on their stomach. Make small circular motions along their back using your fingertips. Start from their neck and reach down to their bottom.
• Lastly, use your fingertips to massage your kid’s scalp. You can also rub their temples and gently stroke their cheeks, chin, and forehead. 

6 Best massage oils for babies

Choosing the right baby care products is essential to ensure the child gets the best care and nourishment. You can easily enhance the wholesome benefits of oil massaging by using the following six oils:

1. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil is widely used in different parts of India. It is light, absorbs quickly, and has a cooling texture. Massaging your baby with coconut oil can help heal rashes caused by sweat and diapers. The oil gives your baby a smooth, silky skin. Plus, coconut oil is an essential ingredient of natural lip balm for kids. 

2. Almond Oil:

Almond oil has a light, smooth texture and sweet fragrance. It moisturises, hydrates, and soothes your baby’s delicate skin. Plus, regular almond oil massage can be effective against cradle caps. 

3. Olive Oil:

This is another great choice for baby massage. It works as a natural moisturiser and is effective in skin conditions like diaper rash, cradle cap, etc. Lastly, olive oil has Vitamin E and K, antioxidants, and nutrients that strengthen bones. 

4. Mustard Oil:

Most parents prefer mustard oil for massaging their baby during the winter season. It supports bone and muscle development, nourishes the skin, and improves blood circulation. Lastly, mustard oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to guard the newborn from infections. 

5. Sesame Oil:

Sesame oil is one of babies' most popular massage oils. It has plenty of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can trust sesame oil to soothe dry skin in babies. Plus, it protects your baby’s sensitive skin from UV radiations that cause skin problems and suntan. 

6. Herbal Massage Oil:

The market offers various baby massage oils made using rich Ayurvedic herbs that nurture your little one’s body, skin, and wellness. Some popular herbs ideal for giving baby massages are manjistha, laksha, etc. Combining these herbs promotes growth, nourishes the skin, and comforts the child. 

Safety tips for baby massage

Here are some handy safety tips that will help you give the perfect massage to your baby without inviting trouble. 

• Do not massage your baby if they have a fever or are within 72 hours of vaccination.  
• Consult a doctor before adding massage to your baby’s routine if they have a health condition. 
• Never use mineral or synthetic oils to massage your baby. 
• When using massage oil, always do a patch test by applying it behind the baby’s ears to avoid skin allergies. 
• Be completely present with your baby when massaging their body. Talk, sing, or play with them to ease their fussiness. 

Wrapping up

Your little ones need a lot of love and nourishment to grow into a healthy adult. Ayurveda believes that Abhyanga is one of the best ways to aid your baby’s growth, calm their body, and ensure their holistic wellness. 

This article is our way to make oil massages fun and wholesome for your baby and you. The safety tips will keep your little one protected, and the best oils will nurture their growing body systems. When massaging, be gentle and patient with your baby to ensure they are comfortable and emotionally connected to you.