All the activities surrounding motherhood strive to strengthen the bond between mother and child while supporting the growth of the baby. Massaging your baby with natural oils such as AreoVeda’s HYPERLINK “https://www.areoveda.in/products/baby-massage-oil” Baby Massage OIl is no different! However, the key is to know what suits your baby, how it can benefit them, and how to massage them right to ensure it turns into an enjoyable ritual for both of you.
This guide covers everything you need to know about massaging your baby – from techniques to oil selection and benefits.
Benefits Of Massaging Your Baby
Essentially, massaging is a physical expression of love and attachment for a baby, which studies have shown, supports their emotional growth and stability.
But that’s not the only advantage of massaging your baby with oil. Regular massages can unlock a world of benefits including improved blood flow and better sleep. Research suggests that massaging has a calming effect on your baby that helps in the reduction of stress (cortisol) and the production of happy hormones (dopamine and serotonin). This helps them relax into a state of sound sleep, promoting better sleep patterns overall.
Apart from that, it supports your baby’s growth and may even improve their digestion if you use the right massage oil.
See also: Why Preventive Care Sets The Stage For Lifelong Family Smiles
The Best Massaging Techniques For Your Baby
Well, it is generally recommended to give your baby a massage right after a warm bath as they are neither too hungry, nor too full at this time while being relatively calm and alert.
An average session can last anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes. However, you can increase or decrease the duration depending on your baby’s comfort.
As for the best massaging techniques, the following are generally practiced by most moms:
- Always apply gentle yet firm pressure when massaging your baby
- You can start either with arms and hands or legs and feet
- When massaging the legs and feet, hold up the leg to be massaged and use gentle to strokes to cover the baby’s thigh to ankle the with the oil
- When massaging the arms, you should move from the baby’s shoulders to their wrist to ensure blood flow
- Make sure you massage your baby’s fingers and toes gently too
- For a chest and tummy massage, use the palms of your hand
- Chest massages follow a gentle sweeping outward motion, while tummy massages can be a done in a circular motion to support proper digestion
- For a back massage, you will have to place your baby on their tummy as you use your palms to move back and forth from their shoulders to their rear
- You can also massage your baby’s head and face but be careful not to let oil get into their ears, eyes, nose or mouth
- Use your fingertips to massage their forehead, cheeks, jawline etc in a circular motion
No matter which part you are focusing on, make sure to speak to your baby in a soothing manner while maintaining eye contact during every massage session. This ensures your baby feels secure and comfortable through it.
How To Choose The Right Baby Massage Oil
Choosing a baby massage oil among the plethora of options available in the market can seem daunting. However, these selection tips will help you choose well:
Check ingredient quality
Ingredients should be the number one deciding factor when choosing a baby massage oil. Must-have ingredients that support the health of your baby include Sesame Oil, Almond Oil, Ashvagandha and Calendula. Yes, herbs are a part of the list too. While oils such as Sesame Oil and Almond Oil promote relaxation, enhance sleep, and provide lasting moisturisation; medicinal herbs and roots such as Ashvagandha and Calendula reduce stress and fight bacterial infections.
AreoVeda’s Baby Massage Oil is a natural blend of all of these ingredients along with Ghee and Vitamin E to serve as an all-round oil with multiple health benefits! From hydrating and smoothening your baby’s skin to strengthening their bones and fighting infections, it can do it all and then some.
Avoid certain ingredients
Not all oils are good for your baby’s skin. Oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, and peanut oils are not safe for your child. These are known to clog pores, damage sensitive skin, and trigger allergic reactions.
Evaluate based on cost and certifications
Of course your budget plays a role too. Make sure your final choice offers bang for buck. The simplest way to guarantee that is to pick a certified safe option. For example, AreoVeda’s Baby Massage Oil has been lab-tested extensively and is EW Certified for complete peace of mind.
Conclusion
Daily baby massages are more than just a duty. They are a way for you to deepen the connection you feel with your baby while supporting their overall growth and development. Choosing the right massage oil, such as AreoVeda’s Baby Massage Oil, is an effective tool to strengthen this bond and turn massage sessions into baby-and-me time that you look forward to everyday!
