2024-04-16 03:13:12
How to choose the best oil for your baby’s massage?
Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) has implemented standardized guidelines for good skin care of newborns and children. According to IAP, massaging the baby with oil has many benefits, it is much better than massaging without oil. But never use olive or mustard oil for massaging the baby, it can damage the baby’s skin layer.
Do not massage your baby with hot and thick oil
Many people use thick oil for baby massage and heat the oil before massaging, but this is wrong. Instead, one should use oil prepared for babies which is light and non-sticky as well as rich in Vitamin E.
Tips for massaging babies of different ages and stages
A. Newborn Baby Massage:
- The baby’s skin continues to develop in the first year after birth. Your newborn baby is delicate but don’t be afraid to start a massage routine once you get permission from the pediatrician.
- Use light and delicate strokes for the first few weeks, avoiding massaging the same spot for too long.
- Start the massage with the newborn’s feet; downward strokes provide more comfort to the baby.
- While massaging the baby’s stomach, ensure that the area of the umbilical cord has been disinfected. Massage should be done based on how well the area has healed.
- Move from the baby’s neck to back, gently moving downwards and last but not least, gently massaging the feet.
C. Baby massage for six months and above:
After the completion of six months, the baby’s activities increase, such as moving around, sitting up, crawling and trying to stand. During this period, you can massage in a creative way and make the massage even more pleasant and fun by singing songs or rhymes.
Make baby massage an integral part of your baby’s daily skin care routine. No matter the season, massage with the right oil throughout the year. Massage time is a time for deep bonding and memories between parent and baby, enjoy it to the fullest with your baby.