Benefits of Baby Massage: What Research Shows and How to Do It Safely

Quick Answer

The benefits of baby massage include calm one-on-one time and bonding, and research suggests it may ease pain during procedures, slightly lower jaundice levels and help weight gain, especially in premature babies. Evidence is modest, so treat massage as a loving routine, not a medical treatment. Use gentle strokes and plain oil, and skip it when your baby is unwell.

If your family is asking when the daily maalish will start, or you are wondering whether massage really helps your baby grow, you are in good company. Baby massage is one of the most loved rituals in Indian homes. This guide explains which benefits are backed by research, which are tradition, when and how to massage, and why it is completely fine to skip a day.

What are the benefits of baby massage?

Gentle massage is safe for healthy babies and has some evidence-backed benefits, though most effects are small. The World Health Organization (WHO) says gentle whole-body massage “may be considered” for healthy, full-term newborns for its possible benefits to growth and development, while rating the evidence as very low certainty.

Here is what the research says about the benefits most often claimed:

Neither recent review reported any harm from gentle massage. A Cochrane review of healthy, low-risk babies found the evidence of poor quality and said the benefits faded at later follow-up, so it did not support massage as a health treatment for all babies.

The honest takeaway: massage is a lovely, low-risk way to connect with your baby, and it may help in a few specific ways. It is not essential for your baby’s growth or health.

Is it okay if I don’t massage my baby?

Yes. Massage is optional. Your baby will grow and develop well without it, because the evidence for health benefits in healthy, full-term babies is weak, and the Cochrane review did not find that it should be used routinely.

What matters most is responsive care: feeding, holding, talking to and comforting your baby. Cuddles, skin-to-skin contact and play give the same closeness. If you, your baby or your family prefer to skip massage, or you only do it on some days, your baby is not missing out.

When can I start massaging my baby?

Most healthy, full-term babies can have a gentle massage in the first few weeks of life. Many families wait until the umbilical cord stump has dried and fallen off, and keep oil away from it until then, since WHO advises keeping the cord clean and dry with nothing applied.

• Healthy, full-term baby: start gently with legs, arms and back, a few minutes at a time.

• Premature or low birth weight baby: ask your paediatrician first.

• Baby with a medical condition or in the NICU: follow your neonatal team’s advice.

Our guide on when to start oil massage for your newborn goes into more detail.

What is the best time to massage my baby?

The best time is when your baby is awake, calm and alert, not hungry, overtired or just fed. There is no single right time of day.

Not sure whether to massage before or after a bath? See our guide on massaging before or after a bath.

How do I massage my baby?

Keep it short, warm and gentle: about 10 to 15 minutes is plenty. Watch your baby, not the clock, and stop if they turn away, cry, stiffen or arch their back.

Before you begin

• Choose a warm, draft-free room. Turn the fan off or to low.

• Trim your nails and take off rings and bangles.

• Lay your baby on a soft towel and keep one hand on them at all times.

• Warm a little oil by rubbing it between your palms. Never heat oil and pour it directly on your baby.

Step by step

1. Legs and feet: stroke gently from thigh to ankle, then rub the soles with your thumbs.

2. Tummy: with a flat palm, make slow clockwise circles around the belly button, avoiding the cord stump if it has not fallen off. Gently bending the knees up towards the tummy for a few seconds can be comforting for a gassy baby.

3. Chest: place both hands at the centre and stroke outwards, like opening a book.

4. Arms and hands: stroke from shoulder to wrist, then gently open the fingers and rub the palm.

5. Back: lay your baby on their tummy and stroke from neck to bottom with flat hands. Never press on the spine.

6. Face and head: use very light fingertip strokes. Avoid the soft spot on the head (fontanelle) and keep oil out of the eyes, ears and nose.

Our article on mistakes to avoid while massaging your baby covers common slip-ups.

Which oil is best for baby massage?

Choose a plain, unscented oil and do a small patch test first. Coconut, til (sesame) and sunflower oil are gentle choices. Avoid oils with perfume, camphor (kapur) or essential oils.

If your baby has eczema, very dry skin or a family history of allergies, ask your paediatrician which oil to use. You can also explore Mylo’s baby massage oil, or read our guide on choosing the right baby massage oil.

When should I not massage my baby?

Skip the massage for the day if your baby is unwell or uncomfortable, and restart when they are better.

• Fever, or your baby seems ill, very sleepy or floppy

• Rash, broken skin, skin infection or a weeping patch

• Just after a feed, or when very hungry or overtired

• Soreness or swelling at a recent vaccine injection site (avoid that area until it settles)

• Your baby cries, stiffens or turns away during the massage

When should I call the doctor?

Call your paediatrician if you notice:

• A rash, redness, bumps or itching where oil was applied

• Redness, pus or a bad smell around the cord stump

• Crying or pain when a particular arm, leg or joint is moved, or a swollen limb

• Fever: 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months needs urgent medical advice

Get emergency help straight away if your baby has difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, is floppy or hard to wake, has a seizure, or may have swallowed oil containing camphor or eucalyptus.

Frequently asked questions

What age is best for baby massage?

You can begin gentle massage in the first few weeks for a healthy, full-term baby, ideally once the cord stump has fallen off. There is no upper age limit. Many parents continue through the first year and beyond, adapting as their baby becomes more active. For premature babies, ask your paediatrician when to start.

What are the 7 benefits of massage?

The seven benefits most often linked to baby massage are: bonding and calm time together, less pain during procedures, lower jaundice levels, better weight gain (mainly in premature babies), slightly greater length, slightly longer sleep, and comfort for a gassy tummy. Research supports some of these more than others, and most effects are small, so think of massage as a nurturing routine rather than a cure.

Which time is best for baby massage?

Any time your baby is awake, calm and alert is a good time. Many Indian families massage before the morning bath, while others prefer an evening massage as part of a bedtime routine. Avoid massaging right after a feed or when your baby is hungry or overtired.

Is it okay if I don’t massage my baby?

Yes, completely. Massage is optional, and healthy babies grow and develop well without it. Holding, feeding, talking, playing and skin-to-skin contact give your baby the closeness they need. Do it if you and your baby enjoy it, and skip it without guilt if you don’t.

How long and how often should I massage my baby?

About 10 to 15 minutes is enough. Many families massage once a day, but a few times a week is fine too. Follow your baby’s cues and stop if they seem unhappy.

Can baby massage help with colic?

Gentle clockwise tummy strokes and bending the knees towards the tummy may comfort some babies with gas, but there is little research evidence that massage treats colic. If your baby cries for long periods or seems in pain, talk to your paediatrician. Read more about colic in babies.

Does massage help my baby gain weight?

Massage may help weight gain, mainly in premature babies, according to recent research. In healthy full-term babies, the gains are small and the evidence is very low certainty. Good feeding is what drives weight gain, so talk to your doctor if you are worried about your baby’s weight.

Can massage cure jaundice?

No. Some studies show slightly lower jaundice levels with massage, mostly alongside phototherapy in hospital, but massage does not replace medical treatment. If your baby’s skin or eyes look yellow, especially in the first 24 hours or if the yellow is spreading, see your doctor the same day.

References

1. Mrljak R, Arnsteg Danielsson A, Hedov G, Garmy P. Effects of infant massage: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022.

2. Priyadarshi M, Kumar V, Balachander B, Gupta S, Sankar MJ. Effect of whole-body massage on growth and neurodevelopment in term healthy newborns: a systematic review. Journal of Global Health, 2022.

3. World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience, 2022. Recommendation on gentle whole-body massage, via BIGG database.

4. Bennett C, Underdown A, Barlow J. Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

5. World Health Organization. Caring for newborns.

6. Kumar A, et al. Cluster randomised trial of sunflower seed oil emollient therapy for newborns in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. PLoS Medicine, 2021.

7. Danby SG, et al. Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 2013.

8. Flaman Z, et al. Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils. Paediatrics and Child Health, 2001.

9. NHS. Bronchiolitis.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your paediatrician. If you are worried about your baby’s health, contact your doctor.

“Baby Massage Oil for gentle baby massage”

Baby Massage Oil 200ml | Improves Complexion & Skin Tone | Moisturizes & Nourishes Skin | Aids in Sun Protection | Made Safe Certified - Pack of 2

Improves Complexion & Skin Tone | Moisturizes & Nourishes Skin | Aids in Sun Protection | Made Safe Australia Certified

⭐ 4.5 (225)Shop Now