Baby massage: benefits, techniques and tips for getting started

Massaging your baby seems like a simple gesture; however, it raises many questions. At what age can you start? What is the right time of day? Should you use a specific oil? What techniques should you adopt, and above all, how can you be sure that the baby enjoys the massage and that it provides them with benefits.

Furthermore, baby massage is a practice increasingly adopted by young parents who are looking for a moment of connection, comfort, and well-being to share with their babies.

Caught between wanting to do it right and the fear of doing it wrong, many parents hesitate. However, baby massage is not based on perfect technique, but on listening, gentleness, and respecting the child's rhythm.

In this article, we guide you step-by-step to understand the basics of a good baby massage, choosing the right time and the right movements so you can fully enjoy these shared moments of relaxation.

Why massage your baby? What are the benefits of baby massage?

·      - Promotes falling asleep and improves the wake-sleep cycle; indeed, massage helps release soothing hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which makes the baby's sleep longer and more restorative.

·      - Improves digestion, especially for babies suffering from digestive issues; massaging the baby's belly relieves colic, gas, and constipation by facilitating transit.

·      - Stimulates the nervous system and promotes the psychomotor and sensory development of babies. Massaging your baby helps with coordination and gross motor skills, which awaken body awareness.

·     - Strengthens the parent-baby bond; baby massage develops the bond of attachment with the parent because it stimulates the production of oxytocin, the hormone linked to attachment. It is a moment of deep relaxation that facilitates parent-baby interaction and reinforces the baby's sense of security.

·    - Improves blood and lymphatic circulation; the movements of baby massage increase circulation and help the body maintain a stable temperature and better oxygenation.

·         - Promotes muscle relaxation, which helps decrease stress and anxiety in babies.

Massaging your baby: at what age and what is the ideal time to maximize the benefits?

From the first weeks after birth, massage can be practiced if the baby is in good health. It is nevertheless recommended to wait until the umbilical cord has fallen off. Avoid massaging your baby if they are sick, tired, hungry, feverish, or after a vaccine.

For the massage to be beneficial to the baby, choose the best time when the baby is receptive, such as after their bath, in the evening to promote sleep, or between two naps when they are awake.

The duration of a baby massage is short and gradual; for a newborn, 5 to 10 minutes is more than enough; for a baby aged two to six months, the massage can last about 15 minutes, which should be adapted according to their receptiveness.

Choose a quiet room to ensure relaxation and ensure the temperature is between 22 and 24°C.

Note: always adapt to the baby's reactions; if they show signs of discomfort, stop the massage. Also, it is better to have a short and regular massage than a long one that tires the baby. Sometimes, the massage may last less than 5 minutes; that is OK.

If the baby does not enjoy massages immediately, don't worry. Change the area being massaged or stop and try again later. Over time, the baby will learn to recognize this ritual and will be able to enjoy it longer.

How to massage your baby to relax them?

Before starting the baby massage, take the time to prepare the environment and ensure the necessary conditions so that this moment is fully beneficial.

First of all, wash your hands thoroughly and warm them, remove your jewelry to avoid irritating or hurting the baby, then ensure the baby is installed in a secure and stable place, such as on a play mat, a changing table, or a safe surface to carry out the massage in complete serenity.

It is essential to use an oil or skincare product adapted to the baby's skin, featuring a gentle formula, ingredients of natural origin, no harsh fragrances, and tested for sensitive skin. Zawadi meets these requirements with its Huile Sacrée (Sacred Oil), which is soothing, restorative, and perfectly suited for sensitive, even atopic skin.

By massaging your baby, you gradually learn to know them better. You will observe, for example, that they particularly enjoy a back massage, while they may be less receptive when you massage their legs, or vice versa. Therefore, pay attention to your baby's reactions and adapt to their needs so that the massage is their moment of relaxation.

You can sing or speak softly to the baby during the massage; this promotes a sense of security for the baby and helps them relax.

Each area of the baby's body requires adapted gestures and movements. Here are some simple and concrete tips to gently massage each part.

• Back massage: place the baby on their stomach and ensure they are well-supported and comfortable. Place your hands on either side of the spine, performing slow and enveloping movements from top to bottom, moving back up gently by alternating hands, like a wave motion. Never massage the spine itself.
• Belly massage: place the baby on their back and ensure they are calm and soothed. Gently place your hands on the baby's belly and perform slow, circular movements in a clockwise direction. This direction supports the natural functioning of the digestive system. Do not massage immediately after a meal; avoid excessive pressure.
• Arm and hand massage: place the baby comfortably on their back, one arm at a time, gently wrap the baby's arm and perform soft movements from the shoulder to the hand; make light circular motions on each finger. Never force the hand open.
• Leg and foot massage: place the baby comfortably on their back; the legs must be free to move. Gently wrap the baby's leg between your hands, perform slow movements from top to bottom, from the thigh toward the foot; massage the soles of the feet with your thumb using circular motions.
• Face massage: this massage can only be offered if the baby is receptive, as this area is very sensitive. With your fingertips, stroke their cheeks from the top of the jaw toward the chin, from the center outward. Do not massage deeply, just stroke.

If the baby doesn't like the massage!

It is perfectly normal for some babies not to enjoy the massage the first few times. If your baby cries when you start, favor even simpler gestures: light strokes, a gentle voice to reassure them, a song, or a short story can help them relax.

Some babies, however, do not like massage, no matter who is performing it. If your baby remains uncomfortable despite your attempts, do not insist and try again later. It may simply be that this is a new experience for them. Fatigue, hunger, or conversely, a too-full belly can also influence their desire to be massaged.

Every baby is different: some are more sensitive to touch and need time. In this case, you can wait a few weeks before gently reintroducing the massage.

Finally, some children simply prefer to feel the reassuring presence of their parents. Placing your hands on their body or practicing skin-to-skin contact is also a beautiful way to create a bond and offer a moment of tenderness, without necessarily needing to perform a massage.