How To Give Your Little One A Baby Massage
There are plenty of benefits to massaging your baby, but you could end up stressing them out if you do it wrong
By Terri Kue -
Does your baby need a massage? The answer is well, probably! Baby massages are a gentle form of massage therapy that mums can carry out on their babies, with plenty of benefits. This study shows that communicating with them via touch is one of the best ways to bond with baby — it lets mums take the time to really be in tune with their little ones and be present in the moment. It was also found that infants who received massages from their mums formed stronger mother-child attachments compared to those who didn't.
Not just that — baby massages can benefit your child's health as well. Getting a massage regulates the infant's sleep respiration while reducing crying.
So it's no wonder that mothers are happy to get on board. However, it can be harder than it seems, and there are some do's and don'ts that mums should follow. Here are our tips.
When it comes to when you should massage your baby, the truth is that there is no set time. This also means that schedules should be forgone because it all depends on whether your little one is in the mood for a massage. Remember: it is supposed to calm them, not make them feel worse.
Find a time when your little one is calm and content. Try to make sure they are already in a good mood before you carry anything out. The happier they are, the more receptive they will be to your touch.
However, it can be hard to determine whether they are up for a massage until you actually start giving them one. In the case that you have already started massaging your baby, this book highlights some warning signs to look out for that will show you that they are being overstimulated:
They don't make eye contact with you
They become fussy or start crying
They tense up
They arch their back
Even at the age of one, your baby's skin is still developing — so it's thin, sensitive, and fragile. This means that what works for your skin won't work for them, and that's why babies have specially formulated products for their skin.
Therefore, only light pressure is needed. However, it's important to at least apply some pressure so your baby can feel it. The distinction is ultimately up to your little one as every baby is different. However, this study explains that 'proper stimulation' is required to positively affect your baby's psychosocial development.
Find a pressure that works for them that doesn't lead them to feel uncomfortable or cranky. Don't be afraid to get it wrong the first few times; it takes practice, and babies are never easy.
You may think that essential oils will be a great addition to massage therapy. They are known to have calming effects, after all. However, be careful not to use them on or around your little ones before they reach three months old. In fact, some recommend not using essential oils on babies until they are at least six months old.
They can cause your child to feel sick or cause chemical burns if you're using high concentrations of them.
It is better to use just your hands for your little one's safety. However, once they pass the six-month mark, you can use natural oils on them such as grapeseed oil and sunflower oil.
It can be tempting to set up your phone beside you and watch a YouTube video or the latest episode of your favourite series. However, this distracts you from your baby.
Giving your little one a massage is a full experience that requires your attention to their cues. While you are watching a show, you can miss signs that show their discomfort or accidentally put too much pressure on them because you weren't paying attention.
Instead, enjoy the moment with them. Make eye contact, sing songs, tell them how much you love them, etc. Be present in the moment so that you can reap the main benefit of baby massages — a mother-child bond that only grows with time.
A version of this story first appeared in Young Parents. This story was updated on 26 September 2023 by The Singapore Women's Weekly.