As parents, we all want to do what’s best for our baby. But sometimes, the simplest actions can bring the biggest rewards. And baby massage is one such practice. The benefits of massage oil go beyond just an old wives’ tale. Multiple studies and scientific research have shown how regular massage can support your baby’s overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll uncover how this age-old practice is one of the best things you can do for your little one. So keep reading!
Why Is Regular Use Of Massage Oil Beneficial For Babies?
Here are 6 science-backed benefits of regularly massaging your babies with a good massage oil:
- Promotes Better Sleep
Massaging is a powerful technique to destress your baby, make them calm and help them sleep better. Research shows that just 15 minutes of massage before putting them to bed can help them sleep better. Massage oils infused with sleep-inducing ingredients like Ashwagandha can do a great job in helping your baby fall asleep faster.
- Improves Parent-Child Bonding
Massaging is a great way for parents to bond with their baby. When a mother massages her baby, it stimulates the release of oxytocin, the hormone that is associated with love and attachment. Besides promoting bonding, the hormone also helps moms combat anxiety and postpartum depression.
- Strengthens Bones
By stimulating the left and right brain functions in babies, regular massages can also aid in strengthening their bones and muscles. Studies have shown that massaging with oils made of sesame seeds and herbs like Ashwagandha can also contribute to supporting healthy growth in babies.
- Improves Digestion
Baby massage is a great way to promote healthy digestion in babies. Massaging their tummy in a gentle clockwise motion can help with bloating, gas buildup, and even pooping.
Studies have shown that massaging newborns who have jaundice (increased bilirubin & liver inflammation) can also help lower their bilirubin levels.
- Moisturises Skin
Using a good massage oil for massaging your baby can also improve hydration and moisture levels in their skin. For maximum hydration benefits, you can consider massaging them with oil containing sweet almond oil and Vitamin E that help to strengthen their skin’s protective barrier, lock in moisture and prevent surface water loss from the skin.
- Helpful For Preemies
Massaging preterm infants (born before the 37th week) can help promote healthy weight gain by stimulating their nerves, improving bone density and thermoregulation (temperature control).
5 Tips For Massaging Your Baby
Having learnt the benefits of massaging your baby, it’s important to know how to do it the right way. So here are some tips you can follow:
- Choose a suitable space that is warm, comfortable and free of distractions.
- Put your baby on a soft, stable surface and remove any sharp objects such as jewellery that you might be wearing.
- Experiment with different massage strokes and see what your baby enjoys the most. Use medium pressure such that it’s not too light to tickle them or too hard to be uncomfortable.
- While massaging, try to engage with your baby in subtle ways like looking into their eyes, smiling or singing them a song.
- Take a break if your baby seems unhappy and try again later. It may take them a while to develop a liking for massages.
Is Massage Oil Safe For Babies?
The massage oil you use on your baby can be absorbed by their skin. So it’s super important to choose only the safest oils with natural formulations. You can try AreoVeda’s Baby Massage Oil, a blend of 5 oils and 6 herb extracts crafted specifically for the sensitive skin of babies. It has >98% ingredients of natural origin (Ecocert certified), is certified toxin-free (EWG-verified) and is cellularly tested for safety and effectiveness.
Summing Up
There are multiple benefits of a good massage oil for your baby. Regular massage can promote your baby’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.
But when massaging your baby, what matters even more is the oil you choose and the way you do it. Going wrong either way can do more harm than good. So follow the tips we mentioned above and only choose oils which are formulated for your baby’s delicate skin type.
