Every parent is well-aware that massage therapy offers significant health benefits to their munchkin and also aids in their overall growth and development. Oil massage for babies can also enhance the emotional connection with parents and serve as a perfect bonding moment.
But the one question that confuses most parents is, “when to start oil massage for newborn babies?” Well, worry not, as in this post, we answer all your concerns related to baby oil massage and helpful tips to follow while massaging your little one. We have also listed some of the best baby massage oil recommendations that nurture your baby’s skin and also make their muscles and bones stronger.
When To Start Oil Massage For Newborn Baby
While there are no set guidelines regarding the minimum age to start massaging your baby, doctors recommend that your infant must complete one month of their life before they get a massage. The reason for this is that your baby’s skin is underdeveloped at birth, and it takes at least two weeks for their skin to become water-resistant.
Also, you should wait until your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls and then start an oil massage. Until then there are high chances of an infection hazard if any massage oil gets trapped in the navel.
Benefits Of Oil Massage For Babies
Oil massage for babies offers several natural benefits, such as:
- It relieves stress and relaxes their muscles: Oil massage can relieve stress in your baby by stimulating the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone, and decreasing the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. It also relaxes their muscles, stimulates growth, and works particularly great with colicky babies.
- It helps them sleep better: Your baby is likely to sleep better after an oil massage. This is because a massage before bedtime produces an increased level of melatonin, which is a sleep-regulating hormone that encourages sound sleep in your tiny tot.
- It can stimulate your baby’s nervous system: Massage is also beneficial to your baby’s nervous system and helps effectively to improve their motor skills development.
- Massage helps improve blood circulation: Massager helps improve blood circulation in babies and also decreases the level of discomfort caused by acidity, gas, teething, and congestion. It also stimulates the nerves that pass through the digestive tract, thus strengthening the digestive system.
- It boosts social and psychological development: An oil massage can stimulate your baby’s sense of touch and has a positive effect on their social and psychological development. It also helps them communicate with their parents through laughs and coos.
Best Baby Oils To Use For Massage
To make sure that your little one gets the most benefits out of an oil massage, you need to invest in the best baby massage oil that is formulated with skin barrier strengthening and nurturing ingredients. You can choose from the following list of baby massage oils to give your little one the best care.
Nourishing Baby Massage Oil By BabyChakra
The Nourishing Baby Massage Oil from BabyChakra is gentle, and absorbs quickly, thus soothing and comforting your little one’s skin. It is formulated with 100% natural ingredients and botanical oils, such as moringa oil, vitamin E, avocado oil, and saffron oil that nourish your baby’s skin and strengthen their skin barrier. The ingredients in the massage oil also exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are especially beneficial in keeping your little one’s skin protected from allergies and infections.
Other features:
- Has wound healing properties
- Nourishes and protects
- Made with organic ingredients
- Free from toxins and nasties
- Dermatologically tested
Organic Coconut Oil By BabyChakra
The Organic Coconut Oil from BabChakra serves multiple benefits and can be used on your little one’s skin and hair. The formula features extra-virgin and unadulterated coconut oil that deeply nourishes and moisturises your baby’s skin. It also helps enhance their skin health and relieves dryness and irritation caused by rashes. Coconut oil can also be used to soothe soreness and inflammation in your baby’s skin, and its regular usage can aid in strong bone and muscle development in them.
Other features:
- Certified baby-safe
- Extra-virgin and cold-pressed
- No mineral oils, additives, or silicones
- Paediatrician recommended
- No artificial fragrance
Natural Baby Massage Oil
The Moms Co. baby massage oil is formulated with plant-based and botanical oils, such as sesame oil, chamomile oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil that calm and soothe your baby’s skin and also restore moisture and hydration. The baby massage oil is particularly beneficial for strengthening your little one’s bones and muscles and can also enhance their skin health with regular use.
Other features:
- Non-toxic
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oils
- No synthetic fragrance
- Doctor-recommended
Best Time For An Oil Massage
The best time for an oil massage is when your baby is alert, well-rested, and seems interested in their environment. Select a moment between two feeding sessions when your baby is less likely to feel full or hungry. You can give them a massage before their bath to relax and calm them, and then follow up with a post-bath feeding and gradually put them to sleep.
Helpful Tips For Massaging Your Baby
We have listed some important points that you should keep in mind while massaging your baby.
- If your baby gets cranky at any point during the massage, then you should skip the massage step and move on to the next one.
- Always be gentle during a massage, and don’t put too much pressure on your baby’s body, as their bones and tissues are still delicate and developing.
- Try to communicate with your baby during a massage. Speak, laugh, and initiate eye contact with your little one. This will keep your baby interested in the activity and keep them more cooperative.
- Keep a fixed time for the massage. This will help establish a routine and make your baby more comfortable during the massage.
When Should You Stop Massaging Your Baby?
Again, there is no fixed age to stop massaging. You can choose to massage your baby as long as you want. However, most mums stop oil massage when their munchkin is completely weaned and has transitioned from a baby to a toddler.
We hope we have answered all your concerns on “when to start oil massage for newborn babies”. So make sure your baby is at least one month old before you start oil massage and choose from the list of natural baby massage oils to get the most out of massage therapy.
Also, try to massage your little one in a comfortable space with plenty of natural light and interact with them to make it a good bonding session.
Also read:
Best baby hair oils: Nourish your little one’s hair and scalp with this list of the best baby hair oils.
Best baby skincare products: Looking for skincare products that are gentle on your little one’s skin? We have got you covered with an entire list of recommendations.
Best baby lotions: Keep your little one’s skin moisturised and hydrated with these effective baby body lotions.
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