Baby Massage: A Bonding Experience with Health Benefits

rom the moment they arrive, little ones enjoy being held, cuddled and stroked. These warm, caring touches not only express your love and care for your baby but also aids the baby’s physical and emotional development. This is a fact backed by enough scientific evidence. Massaging your baby with a nourishing baby massage oil is one of the ways to make your baby feel the magic of your caring touch. Apart from making your baby feel safe and secured, baby massage can have innumerable health benefits for your little one. This article will tell you everything about baby massage and why it is so important as a daily baby care routine.

The Importance of Touch in your Child's Life

Research shows that babies can feel touch even when they are still inside their mother’s womb. Right after delivery, birth teams encourage parents to hold infants close to their bare skin. This skin-to-skin care gives them immediate comfort and rich sensory input.

Newborns will often find their way to the breast of their nursing mother following sensory cues alone. But keep in mind that newborns welcome cuddles from all caring adults, so consider playing tag-team with your partner, spouse and others in holding and stroking your little one.

Baby Massage Benefits for Babies

In an infant's life, touch can mean holding, stroking, cuddling, patting, kissing, caressing, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and of course, the daily massaging.

Studies show that infant massage has an immense positive effect on your baby's physical health. Massaging the infant with a suitable baby massage oil can have the following baby massage benefits for the infant:

1. Lowers the level of stress hormones
2. Calms the baby down
3. Gives your baby restful sleep
4. Promotes healthy breathing
5. Improves body awareness
6. Relaxes the muscles and promotes flexibility in the limbs
7. Improves digestion and prevents constipation
8. Promotes better blood circulation
9. Bolsters the immunity power
10. Reduces the symptoms of colic such as sleeplessness and irritability
11. Helps reach a higher stimulation threshold with less skin sensitivity

Baby Massage Benefits for Parents

Apart from improving the baby’s health, baby massage can prove beneficial for the parent too. As a parent, you may experience the following benefits by massaging your baby with the best baby massage oil:

1. Helps build trust and security in your mind regarding your baby care techniques
2. Makes you feel more confident about your daily baby care routine
3. Gives you a better understanding of your baby’s cues
4. Helps you bond better with your baby, creating a healthy attachment
5. De-stresses you through mutual relaxation at the time of massage

Best Ingredients for an Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil

Choosing natural ingredients for your baby's skincare routine not only nurtures their skin but also ensures a safer and gentler experience. Whether it's the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, the antioxidant protection of saffron, or the soothing effects of coconut oil, these natural ingredients contribute to a holistic approach in caring for your baby's delicate skin. The best Ayurvedic ingredients that should be included in the composition of a healthy baby massage oil are:

1. Haldi (Turmeric)

• Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory prowess, soothes minor irritations, while also providing antioxidant protection to combat oxidative stress. Using turmeric in the infant massage oil can enhance the baby massage benefits of the oil.

2. Manjishta (Indian Madder) & Kesar (Saffron)

• Manjishta and saffron act as antioxidants, shielding the baby's skin from free radical damage.

3. Chameli (Jasmine)

• Jasmine contributes its pleasant fragrance and calming effects, creating a tranquil atmosphere during massages or bedtime rituals.

4. Gaajara (Carrot)

• Carrots’ richness in vitamins and antioxidants, like beta-carotene, promotes skin softness and hydration.

5. Trapusha (Cucumber)

• Cucumber’s soothing and hydrating properties keep the baby's skin soft, especially in dry or sensitive areas.

6. Narikela Taila (Coconut Oil)

• Coconut oil emerges as a hero, offering moisturization, gentleness, natural composition, hypoallergenicity, mild antimicrobial properties, and serving as an ideal baby massage oil to foster the parent-child bond.

7. Nimba (Margosa)

• Nimba, commonly known as Neem can keep skin allergies and infections away due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

8. Kumari (Aloe Vera)

• Kumari or Aloe Vera can moisturize your baby’s skin and keep it soft and supple. The herb can also guard your baby’s skin against diaper rashes.
• Opting for these natural ingredients ensures a caring and gentle approach to your baby's skincare, steering away from harsh additives for a holistic and loving experience.

The Takeaway

In our journey of nurturing our little ones, the quest for the perfect skincare regimen is paramount. The baby massage benefits extend beyond just baby care. For centuries baby massaging has been used as a proven baby care technique to help your baby gain health and emotional attachment with you as a parent. Using the right baby massage oil is crucial as it can reap massive rewards. Potent Ayurvedic ingredients in the massage oil can boost your baby’s health and calm your baby’s mind through the unparalleled non-verbal communication that baby massage provides. So, it definitely pays to make time for baby massaging in your everyday life!