Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Baby’s Massage?

Every parenting experience is unique since parenting is a constantly changing endeavour. I’m sure as a new mom you must have heard this line “hamare zamane mein” too many times already. Well, everything they say might not always be wrong. Your baby’s massage is one of them. Sitting comfortably with my little one firmly lying on her legs stretched out, is one of my fondest memories of my mum giving my kids their massage every morning. It was a routine and ritual I think both looked forward to.

From the moment a baby is born, parents are constantly seeking ways to provide the best care for their little bundle of joy. In India, when your baby is born, giving them a massage is a given ritual in most cases.

Before babies are able to understand language, we often communicate and comfort them through touch. If a baby cries, for example, parents will hold, cuddle or stroke them. Baby massage is part of this natural impulse.

But as a new mom, there are so many questions – from when to start massaging the baby to what’s the right oil for your baby’s sensitive skin. Generally, many parents begin introducing gentle massage techniques to their infants when they are around one month old. Traditionally babies in India are massaged the moment they come home and the umbilical stump falls off.

We will try to answer a few questions for you about babies and massages.

Massage For Babies

Massaging your baby offers many advantages, reinforcing the connection between parent and child while contributing to your little one’s overall health. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits:

• Bonding: It nurtures a strong emotional connection through skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, and communication.
• Relaxation: The massage helps your baby unwind, fostering a sense of comfort and security.
• Neuromuscular Wellness: Helps with the proper development of muscles and nerves, aiding coordination.
• Skin Health: Provides nourishment for a healthy complexion.
• Improved Sleep: Contributes to more restful sleep patterns for your baby.
• Temperature Regulation: Assists in maintaining a comfortable body temperature through effective thermoregulation.
• Digestive Support: It stimulates the digestive system, potentially alleviating colic, constipation, and gas symptoms.
• Weight Gain: Supports healthy weight gain in infants, ensuring proper growth.
• Overall Growth and Development: This plays a role in the holistic growth and development of the baby or toddler.

Is Coconut Oil Good For The Baby’s Massage?

Known around the world for its benefits, organic virgin coconut oil is probably the safest skin care product for your baby’s gentle skin.

It is especially known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The molecular structure of the coconut oil allows for easy absorption on the skin.

Coconut oil – cold-pressed or organic is a popular choice for baby massage and is known to nourish the soft and delicate skin of your baby. Pure coconut oil is an amazing ingredient for your baby’s soft skin. Packed with loads of antioxidants and Vitamin E, it nourishes the skin and makes it soft and supple.

Things To Know Before Massaging Your Baby:

• Before starting a massage routine, consult with your paediatrician.
• If your baby still has the umbilical cord stump, it’s advisable to wait until it falls off and the area heals before starting massage.
• Never buy a big bottle in the beginning. Always buy the smallest size available. Only if it suits your baby’s skin go ahead and get the economical size.
• Baby skin is sensitive and can change according to seasons or over months. So you may need to change the oil specific to the season
• Try and stay away from artificially perfumed oils as they may not suit baby’s sensitive skin
• Avoid massaging just before or after a feed/meal (keep a gap of at least 45-60 mins)