In the first weeks of life, a baby makes small discoveries: the sound of a parent’s voice, the warmth of being held, the comfort of familiar touch. In many Kerala families, gentle oil massage is part of the traditional care given to babies at this time.
Baby massage in Kerala is often associated with Ayurvedic practices and family customs. Gentle massage, at the appropriate time, can be a nice opportunity for touch and interaction. This article will describe the probable benefits of infant massage, how to approach massage properly, and what parents should know about the use of oils or conventional therapies.
Why Is Baby Massage Part of Kerala’s Traditions?
Postnatal care customs in Kerala are often focused on the mother and newborn in the weeks after delivery. The families may add warm bathing, oil application and gentle massage to the everyday routine of the newborn.
Abhyanga is a word used in Ayurveda for oil massage. Traditionally, practitioners may suggest certain oils and procedures, depending on the age of the baby and the disease. These habits are different from family to family, and there is no one regimen that all newborns need.
A light massage might be viewed as an optional part of care for healthy, full-term babies. Different advice will be given by their pediatrician to premature babies, babies with medical issues and newborns recuperating from illness.
A Gentle Way to Bond With Your Baby
One of the most rewarding benefits of baby massage is the possibility for personal engagement. A parent can spend time with the baby with gentle touch, eye contact, and a soothing voice.
The session should be led by the baby’s reactions. Some newborns appreciate being stroked when they are calm and attentive, while others may prefer to be held or left alone. If the infant turns away, cries, stiffens or becomes unsettled, it may be a sign that the baby needs a break.
Don’t force or keep on massaging only to get through a routine. A few minutes of comfort can be enough.
Can Massage Help a Newborn Relax?
Some babies are happy and get comforted with a little massage and they relax. Parents may notice their infant appearing more settled during or after a session, although responses can vary.
Studies of infant massage have looked at its impact on sleep, crying and parent-infant contact, but the evidence is not strong enough to guarantee certain outcomes for all babies. Massage should not be shown as being a guaranteed way to get a newborn to sleep longer or to stop fussing.
Persistent screaming, feeding difficulties or unusual tiredness should not be attributed to a need for massage but rather should be checked by a healthcare practitioner.
What About Growth and Development?
Touch is a significant feature of early parent-infant connection. Gentle massage can provide sensory experiences and opportunity for parents to see their baby’s movements and responses.
There has been some research on massage for premature newborns, including the possibility that it may affect weight gain. These findings are not automatically applicable to healthy, full-term newborn infants. Massage is not a substitute for proper nutrition, medical care or developmental surveillance.
There is no clear evidence to support claims that massage may strengthen bones, remodel a baby’s body or guarantee rapid growth. Newborn bones and joints are fragile and aggressive manipulation might injure.
When Can You Start Massaging a Newborn?
There isn’t one day to start that will work for every infant. Parents should examine the baby’s age, health, skin condition and feeding pattern before starting.
A full term healthy newborn can start to reap the benefits of gentle touch and skin to skin very early on. When the baby is medically well, comfortable and the parents have had appropriate coaching, a more systematic regimen for newborn baby massage can be started.
If your infant has a fever, is sick, has a skin infection, an unhealed wound or other medical problem, massage should be postponed. If you have a premature or medically vulnerable baby, consult your pediatrician before starting.
Choosing an Oil for Baby Massage
A traditional Ayurvedic baby massage may use oils chosen on the basis of local tradition or practitioner suggestion. The oil should be safe for newborn skin and free of substances that can cause irritation.
In general, a plain, unscented oil with an appropriate safety profile is better than intensely scented or complex herbal formulations. Avoid essential oils, items with camphor, and medicinal oils unless expressly suggested by your baby’s health care provider.
When you are trying out a new product, do a little patch test to see whether it causes any irritation. Stop usage if redness, rash or irritation develops. Do not apply oil to broken skin, or to an infected area.
How to Massage a Baby Gently
Choose a warm comfortable room and a time when the infant is quiet and alert. Do not massage straight after a full feed or while the infant is hungry, drowsy or disturbed.
Have clean hands and move slowly and gently. Support the baby’s head and body throughout the session. Avoid pressure on the abdomen, spine, joints, and delicate places on the head. Don’t tug, twist or force the baby’s limbs into a specific posture.
Keep the session brief and follow the baby’s instructions. If parents are unsure, a certified infant massage practitioner or pediatric healthcare professional can show the correct techniques.
Baby Massage and Bathing
In some households in Kerala, the oil massage is usually followed by a warm bath. Bathing should be mild. Check the water temperature carefully so that it does not burn.
Babies don’t need to be bathed every day and excessive bathing might dry out their skin. The parents can choose a regimen that matches the baby’s comfort and advice from their pediatrician.
FAQs
Is Ayurvedic Massage Safe for Newborn Babies?
When done correctly, a gentle massage may be fine for healthy, full-term newborns. The schedule should be decided according to the infant’s health and skin condition and what is comfortable for the baby. Do not use medicated oils or extensive traditional therapies without the counsel of a qualified professional.
How Long Should a Newborn Massage Last?
There is no required duration. For a newborn, it may only take a few minutes, especially when you first start a massage. If the baby becomes uncomfortable or unsettled, stop.
Can Baby Massage Help With Gas or Colic?
Some parents find that gentle touch is soothing for their infant, however massage is not proved to be a cure for colic or persistent abdominal pain. If a baby is crying a lot or very hard, vomiting, not eating well or has a swollen stomach, see a health expert.
Which Oil Is Best for Newborn Massage?
There is no one oil that is optimal for every baby. An unscented simple oil that can be used on infant skin is an option, says the baby’s healthcare professional. Avoid heavily scented, essential or medicinal oils unless advised to do so.
A Gentle Beginning, Together
The early days with a baby are full of small gestures of care. A gentle touch can be one of those times that follow the baby’s comfort and the parents’ confidence.
At Ammayum Kunjum, we bring the traditional Kerala techniques of postnatal care with a mindful consideration of the needs of mothers and babies. Take a look at our mother and infant care programs and have a chat with our team about the assistance that’s available for those early weeks of motherhood.