Baby Massage Guide – Benefits, Types & when to do?

Massaging your baby’s delicate skin is important and it has variety of benefits. You are not only one who craves a soothing rub on your body. Babies also love massage and with each gentle strokes, your baby skin feels loved and nurtured. It allow them to relax and help to sleep well. According to research, massage with best baby massage oil help to promote healthy and glowing skin.

Massaging your infant helps you to develop a strong bond. Baby massage may also relieve colic, may help their immune system and intellectual development as well.

Table of content:

• Is baby massage necessary?
• What are the health benefits of baby massage?
• What are the different types of baby massage?
• When to start baby massage?
• How often to perform baby massage?
• Does massage help baby growth?
• Which oil should be used for baby massage?

Is baby massage necessary?

Baby massage is necessary for number of reasons. They soothe and calm baby senses and nerves. Using baby oil or baby moisturizer soothes and soften baby skin. Massaging your infant makes their bones strong, relax their stiffen muscles and keep them relax. This will result in better night sleep.

The soothing strokes of your hands on baby skin stimulate the production of good feeling hormones. It helps to make you and your baby happy. This hormone provide the warm and loving feelings when you and your baby are close. You can gently manipulate baby’s arm, wrist, ankles and fingers.

Use WBM Baby oil that is blend of essential oils that are: wheat germ oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil and organic olive oil. It is free from minerals and harmful chemicals that can harm baby skin.

What are the Health benefits of baby massage?

According to IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage), baby massage help to increase the blood circulation in baby’s body. It may leads to stimulate the digestive and circulatory systems.

Benefits of baby massage:

Massaging your baby body provides number of benefits. Some are as follows:

• Massage can help to soothe your baby.
• Massage oils can promote better sleep.
• They may also help to gain weight and improve digestion.
• A best way to bond with your baby.
• Reduce baby crying and fussiness.
• It may also help to stimulate their nervous system.
• Best for emotional well-being.

What are the different types of baby massage?

There are different types of massages for babies that help them in different ways.

• Baby massage for gas
• Baby massage for colic
• Baby massage for cramps
• Baby massage for constipation
• Baby massage for better sleep
• Baby massage for reflux

Massages can help to ease the baby muscular tension, pains and teething discomforts. It may help to stimulate growth. If your baby has some serious health issues, you need to speak with your doctor first to decide if you should massage them or not.

When to start baby massage?

According to the IAIM, parents introduce touch as soon as the little one is born. Many parents do so by placing them on their chest. Skin to skin care or kangaroo care is important to provide your baby the comfortable environment. If you are holding your little one, keep them close, stroke their legs and back.

Parents often ask: When can I start massaging my newborn? Well, it depends. After the few weeks, you can start massaging your baby. Make sure to follow your baby mood. Your baby must be active, calm and alert when you start massaging them. There is no need to perform any massage technique that is not comfortable for your baby.

According to Mayo Clinic: don’t massage your baby when they turn their heads away from your reach or stiffen their arms. Wait for extra hour after feeding your baby. Massaging your baby right after feeding them can result in vomiting.

How often to perform baby massage?

It mostly depends on your baby and obviously you. Some parents massage their babies daily for their good health and better sleep. While some of them massage their infants every other day.

Massaging your baby in morning is best, as it keep them active for all day long. Massage them at night before bedtime to soothe them and get maximum hours of sleep. You have to pay attention to your little one cues. It can help you to determine the best massage routine.

Does massage help baby growth?

According to some evidences by child specialists and moms: massaging your baby can help in their development and growth. It is best for premature babies. Some studies declared that massage when done by the organic baby oils, may help pre-mature baby to gain weight.

Massage stimulates the key nerve, called the vagus nerve. It is responsible for connecting your brain with the most important parts of baby’s body. It may also result in good digestion and bowel movement. Your baby skin may absorb the oil fats that is best for baby skin care. Massages generate heat and improve blood circulation to all body parts.

Which oil should be used for baby massage?

There are some essential oils that are useful for your infant skin. Some season specific oils keeps them happy all day long. There is list of some best baby oils:

Olive oil for babies:

• Olive oil is one of most popular massage oil for babies.
• Many brands of baby care products use olive oil in the product formulation.
• Olive oil has amazing moisturizing properties, it is best to use in winters.
• It helps to cure dry and rough skin issues.

Sunflower oil for babies:

• Sunflower oil is recommended for baby massage.
• It is safe to use for baby delicate skin.
• It is enriched with fatty acids and vitamins E that help to nourish your skin.
• Use it with some carrier oil, avoid if your baby has rash-prone or extra sensitive skin.

Wheat germ oil for babies:

• Wheat germ oil owns number of benefits for babies.
• It deeply penetrates in your baby skin and works as effective skin moisturizer.
• It is enriched with vitamins A, B and D for extra skin care.
• It deeply nourish and moisturize baby skin.

Tea tree oil for babies:

• Best oil for babies with antiseptic properties.
• Best to treat skin diseases and allergies.
• Provides a comfortable and relaxing feeling to your baby.

Calendula oil for babies:

• Apply this oil after bathing your baby with wbm 3 in 1 product.
• It provides soothing and calming effect on your baby skin.
• Its amazing mild fragrance is not harsh on baby senses.

Chamomile oil for babies:

• It is recommended for the newborn babies.
• Best for treating rashes and skin breakouts.
• Best for babies with sensitive skin problems.
• Its amazing scent keep them calm and helps to put them to sleep.
• Best oil to treat babies who suffer from colic problem.