You must have heard your elders advising all the new mothers to massage their babies. But have you ever wondered why is it so? Massaging your newborn is a great way to bond with your baby. Not only does it encourage the mother-baby bonding but it also has a lot of health benefits for the infant. It helps in soothing the baby and reduces stress-related crying in babies.
Have a look at these benefits of massaging babies if you are still thinking whether it is a good idea or not.
Gently massage your baby’s tummy in a circular motion to help the baby pass gas and feel light. This helps in relieving colic and soothes the baby.
Massage improves blood circulation, relaxes the baby and helps him sleep better.
Use your thumbs to gently massage up and down your baby’s nose to clear mucus to relieve nasal congestion in babies.
Facial massage helps release pain relievers called endorphins in the body which reduces teething discomforts.
It creates a deeper bond between the mother and the baby when the baby feels the familiar touch of the mother. Make lots of eye contact and talk to your baby to make the session interactive.
Massaging may help in the reduction of infant stress-related crying as it is known to improve mood in babies.
Research shows that regularly massaging your baby may boost their immune system.
Regular massage helps to strengthen the muscles of the baby. It helps in developing good muscle tone, coordination, and suppleness.
Massage your baby using a non-sticky baby oil like Baby Sebamed Soothing Massage oil that maintains the pH of your baby’s skin at a perfectly healthy level of pH 5.5 to develop your baby’s skin immunity.
Try to pick a time when your baby is neither hungry nor too full. Pay close attention to your baby’s mood, do not massage if the baby is sleepy. A good time to massage the baby is when she is fully awake and rested.
One such time is just before the bath time. If your baby does not enjoy an oil massage, use a mild lotion that provides gentle protection by maintaining the ideal skin pH of 5.5 like Sebamed Baby Lotion to keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy.
Traditionally the massaging sessions are followed by a bath with lukewarm water to help the baby relax. Be careful while selecting baby skincare products to avoid using harsh chemicals on your baby’s skin. Always use cleansing bars and baby wash that are 100% soap and alkali-free which provides gentle cleansing for your baby.
How Often To Massage Your Baby?
Whether you go for a regular massage or a massage on alternate days, it totally depends on you and your baby. Some parents massage their babies daily while some others do it 2-3 times a week. Pay attention to your baby’s body language before you go for any massaging session.
Now that you know massaging your baby holds so many health benefits, look for a suitable time and massage your baby regularly to keep him healthy!
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