Baby Massage: How to Do It and Why Parents Try It

Baby massage is a simple way to spend calm, close time with your baby. Families in many cultures have massaged their babies for generations, and many parents today try it to help with bonding, fussiness or bedtime. You do not need special training. This guide covers how to do it, when to try it, what to use on the skin, how to read your baby's signals, and what research can and cannot tell us.

Why parents try it

Gentle, caring touch is one of the main ways babies learn that they are safe and loved. Parents often say massage helps them feel more confident handling their baby and better at reading their baby's moods. Many babies seem relaxed during and after a massage. It can also be a nice way for a partner, grandparent or other caregiver to connect with the baby.

What research does and does not show

It is fair to be clear here, because claims online often go further than the science.

• Premature babies in the hospital are where the strongest research is. In some studies, gentle massage given by trained staff or parents was linked with better weight gain and shorter hospital stays. That care is guided by the medical team and is not the same as massage at home.
• Healthy full-term babies have been studied less, and the results are mixed. Some studies suggest benefits for sleep, crying or parent and baby interaction, but many were small or not well designed. Reviews of this research have not found strong proof that massage changes growth or development in healthy babies.
• Colic and gas. Some parents find tummy massage soothing, but research has not shown that it reliably reduces colic.

The honest summary: massage is a safe, pleasant way to bond with your baby when done gently. It is not a treatment, and it is not something you must do for your baby to thrive.

When to massage

• Pick a time when your baby is awake, calm and alert, not hungry and not just fed. Waiting a while after a feed helps prevent spit-up.
• Many families like massage after a bath or as part of a bedtime routine.
• Choose a warm, quiet room. Turn off the TV and silence your phone.
• Start with just a few minutes. As your baby gets used to it, some babies enjoy 10 to 15 minutes.

A simple how-to

Lay your baby on their back on a soft towel on the floor or bed, or on your lap with your legs out. Stay at their level so they can see your face. Use slow, gentle, steady strokes with flat hands or fingertips. Talk or sing as you go.

1. Ask first. Rub a little lotion or oil on your hands, show your hands to your baby, and say something like, "Ready for your massage?" Over time this becomes a cue.
2. Legs. Hold an ankle and gently stroke from thigh down to foot. Rub the soles with your thumbs in small circles. Gently roll each leg between your palms.
3. Tummy. Make slow clockwise circles around the belly button with your fingertips, following the direction of digestion. Avoid the area until the cord stump has healed.
4. Chest. Place both hands in the center of the chest and stroke outward toward the shoulders, like smoothing the pages of a book.
5. Arms and hands. Stroke from shoulder to wrist. Gently open your baby's hand and rub the palm and fingers.
6. Face. With fingertips, stroke across the forehead, around the cheeks and along the jaw. Many babies like this; some do not.
7. Back. If your baby enjoys it, turn them onto their tummy across your lap and stroke from neck to bottom. Keep this awake and watched.

Use light pressure on the head and avoid pressing on the soft spot. Never shake, twist or press hard on joints.

A word on oils and lotions

You do not have to use anything, but a little lubricant can help your hands glide. Be careful with what you choose.

• Pick a plain, fragrance-free option. Ask your pediatrician what they suggest, especially if your baby has eczema or very dry skin.
• Some plant oils that are popular for baby massage may weaken the skin barrier in some babies. Research on which oils are best is still limited.
• Avoid essential oils and scented products. They can irritate skin and can be harmful if swallowed.
• Avoid nut oils, especially if there are food allergies in the family.
• Test a small amount on one patch of skin first and wait a day to look for redness.
• Keep oil away from the face and hands, since babies put their hands in their mouths. Do not put oil in the eyes, ears or nose.
• Oiled babies are slippery. Hold securely when you pick them up.

Reading your baby's cues

Massage should feel good to your baby. Watch and follow their lead.

• Signs your baby is enjoying it: relaxed arms and hands, steady breathing, eye contact, cooing, smiling, a calm body.
• Signs to stop: turning away, arching the back, crying, hiccups, yawning or sneezing, stiff or jerky movements, spreading fingers, or looking away again and again.

If your baby is not in the mood, stop and try another day. Some babies prefer only their legs or feet at first.

When not to massage

Skip massage if your baby is sick, has a fever, has a rash or broken skin, or has recently had shots, at least on the area where the shot was given. If your baby was born early or has a medical condition, ask your pediatrician first. The AAP's HealthyChildren.org has more on soothing and caring for babies, and MedlinePlus has general infant care information.

When to call us

Call your A thru Z Pediatrics office if:

• Your baby seems to be in pain when touched or moved, or one arm or leg moves less than the other.
• You feel a lump or swelling, or notice a rash after using a product.
• Your baby cries for long stretches and cannot be soothed.
• Your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. Call right away.

Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or becomes limp. To talk about soothing and bonding, request a visit.