An everyday massage or ‘maalish’ for babies is an age-old practice that has countless benefits for both you and your little one, from strengthening your baby’s immunity to helping with tummy problems and much more. Make sure you use gentle, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free baby oil that is designed to soothe, hydrate, and protect your baby’s skin.
For baby massage always use the best organic skincare baby products that help in the growth and development of a strong immune system.
Here are some ways in which a daily massage can benefit your newborn:-
- Helps in stimulating the digestion and also improves infant’s bowel movements:-
Gut problems like gassiness and constipation can leave the baby uncomfortable and unhappy. Massaging your baby in the right method can speedily aid digestion and discharge gas to help your baby feel healthier. According to research, if regular massage is given to infant has shown great outcomes in helping babies with colic.
Tip: To help with abdomen pains, try giving your baby a belly rubbing by placing him/her on the back and massaging the belly in circular movements. This can help in relieving gasbags.
- Improves the blood circulation:-
A proper and effective massage can also help in increasing the blood flow to muscles and is greatly helpful to your baby’s growth and development. Gentle massaging can increase blood flow and helps your baby become more alert and engrossed. But if when you want the baby to sleep, apply strokes in the reverse direction, i.e. away from the heart to help them ease.
Tip: Your little one’s hands and legs should be in movement during the daily massage session. Gently move their limbs in a circular motion and watch as your baby responds with joy!
- Helps baby sleep well:-
Adding a massage to your baby’s bedtime régime will help them to sleep soundly, for longer hours. Leaving you and baby happy and relaxed. Generally, baby massage oils are infused with temperate natural oils, Vitamin E, and a mild scent to relax both your baby’s skin and senses, helping them sleep calmly and comfortably.
- Can quicken development in preterm babies;-
Studies have suggested that everyday infant massage can be very useful for preterm babies. It will help them gain weight quickly and also help them in their overall growth & development.
- Helps relieve congestion:-
When a newborn is given a massage it not only helps strengthen his/ her immunity (which means fewer colds & coughs), but it also helps in relieving chest and nasal congestion when your baby is ill. Use baby massage oil in winter on daily basis to help keep the baby warm, cozy &, comfortable.
Tip: Helps in the loosening of phlegm and clearing a choked chest, using your fingertips to massage your baby’s chest and upper back will help in relaxed breathing. If the nasal congestion has to be released, then use your fingertips to smoothly rub on both sides of the nose in an upward and downward direction for massaging your baby.
- Strengthens bones:-
A regular full body massage can help to strengthen a baby’s bones and muscles and thus enhances motor skills and movement.
Apply few drops of baby massage oil on your palms and then rub them together before you giving baby a head-to-toe massage. This lightweight oil easily penetrates the baby’s skin and doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue. Generally, baby massage oils are prepared from mild and tender ingredients, perfect for newborn baby massage oil.
- Helps relax baby and creates a feeling of safety:-
This daily skin-to-skin communication not only helps your little one feel sheltered & safe but also develops parent-child bonding. A soothing toddler massage helps release bad hormones, thus improving your baby’s mood. It is a great relaxing tool and can lessen anxiousness and crankiness in babies. It also helps to relieve the discomfort caused by pains in teeth to infants.
Baby massage is the best way to bring you and your little one more closer. Development of Trust and communication could be seen as you interact with your newborn baby. Your calming touch will make your baby feel loved and cared for you, too.
How to perform baby massage?
How frequently you massage your baby rests on you and your baby? Some parents give their baby massage on daily basis, while some parents massage their munchkins every other day.
As recommended by doctors, the massage should be given in the morning, so that the essential nutrients get absorbed in the skin easily. These nutrients will strengthen up bones, muscles, teeth’s and other body parts.
What are the techniques for massaging your baby?
Here are some techniques to follow while massaging your baby.
- A cozy atmosphere is essential
Always massage your baby in a warm, quiet place.
Ensure you and your baby is in a comfortable spot. Place your newborn baby on a towel on their back so that they can maintain eye contact. Every day massaging will make your baby active, alert and smart.
- Start slow
Smoothly and slowly rub all the parts of the body. Your touch should be gentle at first always.
Properly rub all the body parts, starting with their head and moving slowly down to their feet. There’s no specific time for the massage of a newborn baby. The massage process should be enjoyable for the baby.
- Repeat it all over again
If you and your baby are enjoying the massage, then the massage should be given regularly to the baby to enhance his body movements.
- Keep talking
Always communicate with your baby during the massage. Repeat their name and the word “relax” to help them calm and relaxed down.
You can also sing a lullaby or tell a story so that their muscles can relax down while the massage is in continuity.
- Oil is optional
Some parents find the oil too messy, while some parents use it to help eliminate skin roughness from massaging. If you are using oil, please check that oil is edible so that if the oil goes in the mouth of the baby during the massage, there are no side effects.
First of all test the oil by applying a small dab to a patch of your baby’s skin. Check to see if your baby reacts. This is especially important for babies to protect their sensitive skin from allergies or infections.
Wrap-up
Baby rubs are a wonderful, soothing therapy time that calms your baby and encourages bonding of love and care. However, massaging doesn’t come naturally to all parents. Don’t be discouraged if rubbing your baby doesn’t work out at first.
You and your baby may have to exercise a few times before getting the massage. With each practice, you will be developing a deeper, loving bond with your newborn baby. Your baby will express thanks to you when you will be using the best natural skincare Products for new born baby for his overall protection of skin.
