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Baby massage overview
Baby massage is an ancient practice that has been used around the world for centuries to help babies grow and develop. It’s also a wonderful way to bond with your newborn and help them feel safe and secure.
Baby massage is a great way to promote healthy growth and development in your baby. It can also help relieve stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and even strengthen the baby growing muscles.
This is an excellent way to bond with your newborn. It can help with digestive problems in babies as well.
But before you start, it’s essential to understand which massage oils are the best for your baby’s delicate skin. Here, I’ll discuss the benefits of baby massage and the best oils to use.
Benefits of massage in babies
Massaging a baby is a wonderful way to connect with your new little one. and support your child’s early development. It helps to relax and soothe your baby, aiding in better sleep, digestion, and muscle development.
1. Help a baby fall asleep faster
It’s true! Massaging your baby before bedtime can help him or her relax and fall asleep more quickly, which will leave you with more time to spend with your little one in the morning.
2. Reduce stress in a baby
Massage is a great way to help reduce stress in babies. It can also help them relax and fall asleep, which will make you feel more at ease as well.
If you have never done this before, it may seem like a daunting task but it’s actually quite easy. All you have to do is gently rub their arms or legs in circular motions while singing or talking softly with them.
3. Boost a baby’s immune system
Massage can increase the number of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that fight infection. This helps in reducing stress hormones, which can help boost immunity.
Practicing daily massage also increases blood flow to the skin, which helps remove toxins from your baby’s body.
4. Help to soothe colic, reflux, and other digestive problems
This is a wonderful way for helping babies with digestion problems. It can also help reduce colic, reflux, and other digestive issues.
Massaging your baby’s tummy will stimulate its digestive organs and encourage them to move food through its system more quickly. The gentle pressure of the massage also helps relieve gas build-up in their bellies by encouraging proper burping after meals or feedings (which helps prevent spitting up).
5. Develop the bond between parent and child
The bond between parent and child is vital for a baby’s development. It helps them feel safe, secure and loved. Bonding also helps a baby sleep better because they know that you will always be there for them if they need anything at all. Massage is the best way to build that bonding with a newborn.
Different types of massage oils and their benefits
Here are a few oils which are very good for baby’s skin and development with their benefits. You can choose any of them as per your baby requirements.
1. Almond oil
Almond oil is a light, sweet-smelling oil extracted from almonds. It has a light consistency and absorbs into the skin easily.
Benefit
â—Ź Almond oil is especially good for dry skin and hair because it’s less greasy than other oils.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great choice for baby massage. It’s a carrier oil, which means it will be absorbed into your baby’s skin and not leave behind a greasy residue.
Benefits
â—Ź Moisturizing – Coconut oil is moisturizing, has a long shelf life, and is easily absorbed by the skin. It’s perfect for sensitive baby skin because it won’t irritate or clog pores like some other oils can do (like olive).
â—Ź Cost-effective – It’s not very expensive compared to other carrier oils like almond or jojoba oil, making it an economical option.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great choice for baby massage. It’s a light, easily absorbed oil that is often used on dry skin to moisturize it and help soften the skin. Olive oil has also been found to be beneficial for sensitive skin types as well as all ages, including babies who have eczema or psoriasis.
Benefits
â—Ź Olive oil contains antioxidants that helps to fight free radicals in the body which can cause damage to cells over time.
â—Ź Antioxidants are also thought to help reduce inflammation so if you’re looking for an alternative massage oil that won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin then this would be an excellent choice!
4. Sunflower oil
It is a good source of vitamin E, which is good for your baby’s skin. It can be easily absorbed by the skin, so it works well when massaging babies with sensitive or dry skin.
Benefit
Sunflower oil can be used to massage young children with eczema and psoriasis because it helps keep moisture in their skin and reduces inflammation
5. Hemp seed oil
Hemp seed oil is a good choice for massage, as it has a high concentration of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are important for brain development, so using hemp seed oil on babies will help them grow up healthy.
Benefit
â—Ź Hemp seed oil can be used on babies and adults also. It doesn’t have any side effects like other oils (like coconut), so you don’t have to worry about your little one getting sick from the massage session.
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6. Sesame Oil
This oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which help to prevent oxidative damage to the skin. Sesame oil also contains lignans that helps to reduce inflammation and irritation.
Benefit
â—Ź It has a light scent that’s not overpowering for babies or children making it an ideal choice for massage therapy sessions.
7. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a good massage oil for babies because it is lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it ideal for delicate skin.
Benefits
â—Ź Grapeseed contains anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to your baby’s skin health, particularly if they have eczema or psoriasis.
â—Ź It’s also hypoallergenic and non-toxic, which makes it safe for even the youngest of babies
8. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a wax ester derived from the jojoba bean. It is a non-greasy oil that absorbs quickly into the skin, making it a great choice for baby massage.
Benefit
â—Ź Jojoba oil helps to reduce inflammation and irritation while moisturizing dry, flaky skin or eczema on sensitive areas like elbows and knees.
9. Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is a good moisturizer and can help the skin retain moisture. It’s rich in vitamins A, E, and C which are antioxidants that fight free radicals to prevent premature aging or even wrinkles.
Benefit
â—Ź It also contains oleic acid that helps reduce inflammation as well as linoleic acid which promotes healthy skin cell regeneration.
10. Castor oil
Castor oil is a great massage oil because it’s gentle, moisturizing, and helps to heal skin problems. It is very good for babies with eczema or dermatitis as well as adults who suffer from psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne.
Castor oil has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of skin conditions including blemishes and stretch marks (it’s also great for helping to reduce inflammation).
Benefit
â—Ź Castor oil has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps calm redness in the skin while also locking in moisture so you won’t have to worry about dryness.
â—Ź you can mix it with any other carrier oil as well to reduce the thickness and get benefits of both oils.
11. Avocado oil‘
Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E. It’s a great moisturizer for the skin and hair. Avocado oil also has many benefits for your immune system.
Benefit
● Avocado oil can be used to treat baby’s acne when applied directly to problem areas on the face. It can also help clear up eczema or psoriasis by relieving inflammation caused by these conditions.
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Common Tips for Baby Massage
â—Ź Before massage, warming up the massage oil is essential, as this helps increase blood circulation and promote relaxation.
â—Ź sometimes, you can use different oils, and choosing the best one for sensitive skin is essential.
â—Ź Common oils include fractionated coconut, almond, jojoba, grapeseed, sunflower, avocado, olive, and hemp seed oil.
â—Ź Consult with a pediatrician before selecting the most suitable oil, as babies have sensitive skin. Additionally, while massaging the baby, it is essential to be gentle with the strokes and move slowly around the body.
â—Ź Infants should not be exposed to heat after being massaged with warm oils, as this can cause them to overheat.
â—Ź To keep the area clean and dry throughout after the massage is essential, as dirt and moisture can cause rashes on the baby’s skin.
â—Ź To ensure the best experience for your baby, select an oil specifically designed for baby massages.â—Ź Popular options include almond oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil. These oils are gentle and provide a variety of health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Massage
Here I am going to answer frequently asked questions by parents about massaging.
1. Can I use baby oil on newborns?
The answer is yes, but you can ask to have a permission by your doctor or midwife and only if they have given specific instructions on how much to use. Always check before applying any lotion or cream after the massage as this may interfere with the absorption of any medication that has been applied earlier (for example, if you were prescribed antibiotics for thrush).
2. Can I use baby oil for a massage?
Yes, You can use baby oil for a massage. It’s a great lubricant and moisturizer, which makes it perfect for massaging your baby’s skin. The baby oil is also soothing, helping with circulation and pain relief. It also helps with tissue repair by providing nutrients that the skin needs to stay healthy.
3. Which baby oil is best for massage?
You should choose one which is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, and made from 100% pure natural ingredients. It should also be non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-staining (so you don’t have to worry about your baby’s skin being sensitive).
4. What are the side effects of baby oil?
Hence massaging has great benefits for babies but there can be some side effects as well.
Baby oil can clog the pores and lead to acne, dryness, and skin irritation. There’s also a risk of allergies developing if you use baby oil on your infant too often or in large quantities.
There’s also a risk of allergies developing if you use baby oil on your infant too often or in large quantities.
5. When can we start oil massages for newborns?
you can start oil massage for newborns when they are 2 weeks old and old enough to be held. This usually happens within the first few days after birth, but it may take a little longer if your baby has been born prematurely or has other health issues. Once you feel comfortable holding your baby in an upright position and can support their head.
6. Is baby oil good for the skin after a shower?
Yes, ofcourse. Baby oils work as a great moisturizer for skin after a shower. Using just a couple of drops and rubbing on your baby skin gently after bath will make his skin soft and smooth.
7. Is it necessary to massage a baby?
Massaging your baby is a great way to bond with them, and it can also help them sleep better. The babies who have regular massages experience less colic, digestive issues, and constipation. Massage also helps with eczema because it promotes circulation in the skin by increasing blood flow to the tissues beneath it.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, massaging is a great way to help your newborn relax and feel good about themselves. It’s important to remember that this type of massage should not replace regular medical care for your child.
If you have any concerns about whether or not it’s safe for them, talk with your pediatrician first before trying any new products or techniques on your baby’s skin.
