A child steps into a completely different world when they’re born. Until birth, they feel warm, cozy and comfortable attached inside mom’s body where they could only recognize her voice and smell.
After birth, they get detached, feeling unsafe and uncomfortable. It is important to understand what needs to be done to make them relax and get used to the new world. “Touch” is an important sense that they can feel at this time and connect with parents and other people around. They are gifted with a special sense to recognize safe and unsafe environment too.
It is scientifically proven that babies who aren’t touched and lifted or caressed properly do not develop normally. Too much carrying them also causes harm. Touching, playing & lifting the baby develops great bonding which in turn calms the baby and helps them in getting used to the world.
Hence, massage plays a very important role in mental and physical development of babies. While living inside a liquid in a mother’s womb for a long period of time, massaging helps their skin and bones to acquire normal forms.
1. Massaging helps strengthen bones and prevents skin problems.
2. It helps the child to bond with parents.
3. It relaxes baby’s mind making them feel safe.
4. It makes the baby mentally and physically active.
5. It nourishes skin and bones.
6. It helps in weight gain.
7. Helps in good blood circulation.
8. Improves sensory skills.
It is important to learn the right method of massage. In olden days, babies got rigorous high intensity massages usually from trained people followed by e hot water bathes, where the baby kept crying for long, until he finally got tired and slept. I personally do not recommend this process though my elders also advice the same.
It is not necessary to torture the baby and make him cry for so long. It is important to understand that the baby is supposed to enjoy the massage. High intensity massages aren’t necessary according to doctors these days. You can do it if your baby enjoys it. You can talk and build a conversation with the baby while massaging and slowly increase the intensity on a daily basis.
And I wouldn’t advice massages to a new born baby. Let them learn the sense of touch first and then start massaging slowly.
👆 Always massage according to the mood of the baby, whenever they are happy and active.
👆 Make a conversation so that they enjoy the process.
👆 Choose the right oil. Always choose natural, chemical free, organic oils. Almond, mustard and olive oils are mostly preferred.
👆 Try to swaddle them after massage so that they sleep relaxed. Then give them a lightly hot water bath when they wake up.
👆 Do not massage daily during summers. But during winters, keep them warm after massage. Apply extra oil at the belly button and the top head area.
👆Always patch test the oil for allergies.
👆Try avoiding diapers and let all the skin breathe.
👆Learn the right direction of massaging each part of body.
👆Let the father also massage at times to build great bonding.
👆Keep smiling so they learn to smile too. It’s only when we enjoy something, the child enjoys too. 🙂
My 3 lil wonders 
Very informative …
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