Gentle Techniques for Massaging Your Newborn Baby

1 • Introduction
2 • What is a Baby Massage?
3 • When to Start Baby Massage?
4 • Which Are the Best Oils for Baby Massage?
5 • What to Avoid for Massaging Your Baby?
6 • How To Massage New Born Baby?
7 • KEY TAKEAWAYS
8 • FAQs
9 • MESSAGE FROM SUPERBOTTOMS

The sense of touch can bring comfort, security, and bonding to a newborn baby. For a mother, breastfeeding provides skin-to-skin contact and thus helps her create a bond with her baby. However, when it comes to other caregivers, newborn baby massage can be a powerful tool to connect, apart from all the emotional and developmental benefits of massaging a baby. This article will help you answer all your questions about massaging your little one.

What is a Baby Massage?

Massaging a baby is the act of gently stroking the body of your baby in a rhythm. Usually, a mild, non-chemical oil is used to reduce friction and help keep the baby's body moisturised. Massaging is part of many kids' bathing and sleep routines with numerous baby massage benefits and continues until the baby starts walking.

When to Start Baby Massage?

For newborn babies, it's recommended to start oil massages after the umbilical cord stump falls off, usually around two weeks after birth, to avoid infection risks. Premature babies should wait until they reach average birth weight or the mother's due date before starting massages.

Important Tip: The ideal time to massage your newborn is when they're well-rested, alert, and in a positive mood. Wait at least 45 minutes after feeding to avoid discomfort, and allow 15 minutes after the massage before feeding again. Many parents massage before bath time to relax the baby for better sleep. Focus on creating a positive experience rather than adhering strictly to a routine.

Which Are the Best Oils for Baby Massage?

The choice of oil depends on the weather conditions, your baby's skin type, and special conditions (if any) that suit their massaging needs. Ensure you choose a season-specific oil to avoid any irritation or discomfort to the baby.

Oils Good for Massaging in the Summers:

1. Coconut Oil – It has a light texture and a cooling effect on the body. It gets easily absorbed into the skin, moistens it, and protects against fungal and bacterial infections during summer. Coconut oil also protects babies from heat rashes and prickly heat.

2. Sesame Oil – Sesame oil is one of the best oils for summer baby oil massage. It is light and keeps the baby comfortable. It also helps develop stronger bones.

Oils are Good for Massaging in the Winter:

1. Almond Oil – Rich in vitamin E, almond oil is not suitable only for winter baby oil massage but is an all-season oil. It is mild and safe for the delicate skin of babies and keeps the skin soft and supple.

2. Olive Oil – It is one of the most popular oils among parents for newborn baby massage. It is light and suitable for skin and hair.

3. Mustard Oil – This is a very heavy oil, suitable only during winter. If you want to use mustard oil to massage your baby, you should initially mix it with another light oil, such as almond oil or coconut oil, to ensure that it does not have any side effects on your baby's skin.

What to Avoid for Massaging Your Baby?

Experts advise avoiding using peanut oil for massaging a baby. Although there is no evidence that peanut oil can cause allergies in kids with nut allergies, some parents have experienced this. It is also unsafe to use unprescribed medicated creams, creams, moisturisers meant for adults, and essential oils to massage your baby.

How To Massage New Born Baby?

One thing that a lot of new parents worry about is how to massage their newborn baby. While it is no rocket science, and going as per the liking and comfort of your baby is a must, here is a quick step-by-step process you can follow to learn how to massage new born baby:

1. Start with massaging the legs: Before giving your newborn baby massage, smile at them and see if they are in a happy and active mood and ready to be massaged. Then, rub some oil from your palm between your hands. Next, take one leg at a time in your hands and gently massage from thigh to feet. Do not apply too much pressure. Massage in circular motions, and remember to massage the feet, those tiny toes, and soles.

2. Move to the arms: Repeat the same circular motions and newborn baby massage with the arms. Next, massage the palm and fingers. Massage time can also be a time to introduce them to different textures simultaneously. For example, make them hold your finger, a toy, a soft cloth, etc., to help them develop their sense of touch.

3. Chest and shoulders: Massaging the chest of a newborn needs no pressure. It is just like applying oil in circular motions with very gentle hands. Next, massage the shoulders and help your baby gently move the arms in a circular motion for mild stretching and exercise.

4. Tummy massage for colic relief: Many kids suffer from colic pain in the initial months until they are not on solids. Massaging the tummy in clockwise circular motions and moving the legs in cycling can help babies pass trapped gas and relieve the colic pain. Make tummy massage a routine, even on days you skip massaging for any reason.

5. The back: After giving your baby a tummy massage for colic relief, give them some tummy time. Newborn massage helps with colic relief and strengthens their necks. Make them lie down on their tummies and gently massage their back from top to bottom.

6. Face and head: Babies don't need a head massage. However, applying oil on the days you are giving them a head wash and gently stroking the scalp with your fingers helps improve blood circulation and get rid of the cradle cap. Similarly, apply a little oil to the face and run your fingers around the face in a playful manner. Your baby might enjoy this playful massage a lot.

Newborn baby massage can be a fun bonding experience for you with your baby and can only bring you closer. Thus, making you comfortable and cosy during and after the new born massage is vital. So, for a relaxed time, wrap them in snuggles with SuperBottoms Dry Feel Swaddle Wraps after the massage!

Note: Before you get started, make your baby wear a comfortable and breathable nappy or langot and make them lie on a soft surface. SuperBottoms Dry Feel Langot can be your baby's comfort partner during the massage.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Massages are essential because the sense of touch can provide comfort, stability, and bonding for a newborn baby.

2. Make it a part of many toddlers' bathing and sleeping routines, and continue it until the infant learns to walk.

3. Choose a seasonally appropriate oil to avoid causing irritation or discomfort to the infant.

FAQs:

Ques. 1 What is a baby massage?

Ans. Baby massage involves gently rubbing or stroking a baby's body with the hands to promote relaxation and bonding between parent and child.

Ques 2. When to start oil massage for a newborn baby?

Ans. It's generally safe to start massaging your baby once their umbilical cord stump falls off, usually around two weeks after birth. Premature babies may need to wait until they reach average birth weight or the mother's due date.

Ques 3. What are the baby massage benefits?

Ans. Baby massage offers numerous health and baby massage benefits, including relieving colic pain, promoting relaxation for better sleep, developing gross motor skills and muscle tone, and fostering bonding between parent and baby. Additionally, it can help parents cope with postpartum depression by providing a meaningful way to connect with their newborn.

Message From SuperBottoms

Hi there, new parents! No matter where you are around the world or in India, SuperBottoms ensures your kids are using the best and safest products. SuperBottoms offers the best cloth diapers, which are completely safe and gentle for your baby, DryFeel langots for diaper-free time, padded underwear for potty training your kids, and period underwear for women. These products suit your baby's delicate skin at any time of year. SuperBottoms is a must-have product for you and your child whether you live in Canada, Kuwait, the United States, Qatar, Hawaii, Bahrain, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, or the Philippines. SuperBottoms products are also available on Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, FirstCry, Zepto, Swiggy and Blinkit.

Reference Links

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/baby-massage
2. https://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/how-to-massage-baby/