Benefits and Myths About Baby Massage

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEWBORN BABY MASSAGE

As the old Indian Tradition, baby massage is an integral part of baby care. There is a big bucket of benefits and myths related to baby massage. Let’s have a look at both of them.

Benefits of Body Massage for Babies

Moisturization

Baby oil massage is one of the most effective ways to keep your baby's skin moisturized. The skin of a baby is extremely delicate and soft. It's still developing, and oiling keeps it hydrated, which in turn helps in the proper development of his/her skin. An oil massage also helps develop a deeper connection between the mother or caregiver and the baby during this intimate time spent together. For infants less than three months old, it's best to use olive oil which has several health benefits for your baby other than keeping her skin healthy and soft.

Creates Bond

When you hug, kiss, and cuddle your baby a love hormone “oxytocin” is released both in the baby and you. This helps your baby find that special bond and ease its worry about this new world. This activity helps the child build a strong bond with the mother.

Relives Colic Pain

Have you ever wondered what the best way to soothe your baby is? You've probably tried everything—from gripe water to colic aid, and even a little bit of rocking. But what if there was one thing that could help your baby relax and stay calm? A way that could last for weeks and months, instead of just a few minutes? And what if it was actually good for you too?

That's right, we're talking about stomach massages!

Induces Sleep

Babies would feel good and sleep well too. Calmer the baby healthier would be its body. Just as we feel relaxed and sleepy, babies would feel good and sleep well too. Calmer the baby healthier would be its body.

Assist Weight Gain

Massage stimulates a key nerve in babies, called the vagus nerve, which connects the brain with important parts of the body, including the stomach. Stimulating this nerve can improve digestion and bowel movement, helping your baby gain weight.

So if you're looking for an easy way to help your baby gain weight without having to resort to formula or expensive supplements, try massaging him or her—and watch how fast they start growing!

Myths Related To Baby Massage

Rough baby massage is good

The key to a good massage is consistency. If your baby starts to cry, it's time to stop or change the way you're using your hands. A too rough massage can be painful and injure your baby if you aren't careful. The trick is to be gentle, but firm. Remember that your baby's bones and muscles are still very soft and need time to develop, so what feels nice and gentle to you may be hard and painful for an infant!

Massaging with certain oil will make the baby fairer

If you’ve ever been tempted to use a homemade or store-bought scrub to lighten your baby’s skin, STOP RIGHT NOW. No homemade or store-bought scrub will ever lighten a baby’s skin. The color of the skin is genetic and cannot be changed by products it’s impossible to alter someone’s DNA just by massaging!

Oil can be used liberally all over a baby’s body

Oils are a wonderful way to keep your baby clean and healthy, but there are some areas where you should avoid putting them.

Certain cultures encourage the use of oils on all surfaces, but there are some areas that should be avoided. Placing oil in the nose and ears can be harmful and lead to fungal infection if the baby is more sensitive to them. There are even some cultures that place oils or certain forms of massage products in a baby’s eyes this is to be avoided at all costs, especially due to the carbon content of many oils. Using a lot of oil in a baby’s navel is also believed by most doctors to be unhygienic and should be avoided.

You should start baby massage as soon as possible

One of the biggest is that you should start massaging your baby as soon as they're born. In reality, it's best to wait until at least 2-3 weeks have passed before starting to massage your baby.

In this phase, you can learn how to handle the baby's sensitive skin and how they like to be touched. It also gives them time to get used to your touch before getting started with a massage. If you start too soon after birth, it can actually cause acne-like eruptions on their face and body due to their extra-sensitive skin.

So don't worry about waiting! Once you feel ready (and once your baby's skin is ready!), you'll be able to give them an awesome experience from day one!