How to massage a baby and what are the benefits?

The benefits of baby massage are numerous and benefit not only the child, but also the parents! It's much more than just a moment of relaxation:

During a massage, babies cannot yet express themselves with words, but they send many nonverbal signals through their facial expressions, gestures, and vocalizations. By taking the time to observe them and listen to their reactions, parents can refine their understanding of their child's needs and emotions. This silent dialogue strengthens the connection between them and allows parents to better respond to their baby's needs.

Baby massage is a special moment of bonding and tenderness. Skin-to-skin contact promotes the production of oxytocin , often called the "love hormone," which plays a key role in strengthening the emotional bond. This ritual allows baby to feel safe and loved, which contributes to their emotional growth.

Digestive problems are common in infants, including colic, gas, and constipation. Tummy massage can be a natural and effective solution to relieve these minor discomforts . By making gentle, circular movements on your baby's tummy, you can promote intestinal transit and help eliminate gas.

A relaxed baby is a better sleeping baby! Thanks to its relaxing effect, baby massage helps soothe accumulated tension and reduce stress . After a massage session, your baby's body secretes more of the sleep hormone melatonin, which helps them fall asleep more easily and enjoy a deeper, more restful sleep.

Baby's skin is very fragile, it is important to choose the oil you are going to use for the massage carefully.

The oil promotes gentle, fluid movements, making the massage more comfortable for both you and your baby while avoiding irritation. Additionally, using baby massage oil allows for more precise movements, promoting better blood circulation.

We recommend choosing oils formulated with gentle, natural ingredients. At Evoluderm, our baby massage oil is hypoallergenic and specially formulated to care for the delicate skin of babies from birth. Used for baby massages, this Sweet Almond oil, made from 99.6% Naturally Sourced ingredients, envelops the skin in a veil of moisture and protects it from external aggressions.

Run a warm bath to relax your baby and use a Gentle Cleansing Gel to wash him. Once your baby is clean, make sure you remove any jewelry (rings, bracelets) to avoid any risk of injury to your baby. The environment also plays a key role: settle down in a quiet place, on a rug, a bed, or a changing table. The room temperature should not be too low to prevent your baby from getting cold. For a soothing atmosphere, choose subdued lighting, for example with a low-intensity lamp.

Before you begin, pour a few drops of Sweet Almond Baby Oil into your hand and rub it near your baby's face. This little ritual will help your baby, over time, associate these movements with baby massage and prepare for relaxation.

Tip : Warm your hands by rubbing them together before starting the massage so you don't surprise your baby with cold hands.

There isn't necessarily a set technique for massaging your baby. We recommend testing it first on areas you're usually touched, such as the hands, legs, and arms. During the massage, you can accompany your movements with a gentle song.

Duration of baby massage : 5 to 10 minutes, daily.

Arms and legs : particularly useful for a relaxing massage or to prepare your baby for sleep.

Technique : For the legs, slide your hands from the ankles to the groin, taking the time to make a few small circles around the knees. For the arms, start from above the armpits and move down to the palm of the hand.

Stomach : useful for relieving digestive problems or colic in infants.

Technique : Gently massage her tummy with two fingers, using clockwise circular motions. Press very lightly and continuously: always keep one hand resting on her skin.

You can also massage your baby's back by gently rolling them onto their tummy. Using one hand at a time, move down from the neck to the lower back, then back up.

The massage is over and baby is soothed! Now, remove the excess oil, especially in the folds (groin, joints) to avoid maceration, then quickly dress baby so he doesn't get cold.

By incorporating massage into your evening routine, right after your bath and before bed, you can promote a peaceful and better-quality sleep. Don't hesitate to finish the massage with a kiss on the nose (don't hesitate!).