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Massages are an excellent way to relax! Especially for infants. With summer heat waves in the forecast, your baby must have been feeling a little fussy. A baby massage would be the perfect way to calm your baby down. But which baby massage oil in summer would be suitable for your precious one? The choice of oils and lotions is endless out there and getting fancier by the minute. But don't worry, Pink Orchid has made a helpful list of massage oils that will help cool your baby down in this scorching heat.
In addition, it’s time that you Learn Baby Massage Techniques to alleviate your child’s pain on your own. It’s an opportunity to learn with the expert herself - Annie Hakim.
Table Of Contents
Which Is The Best Baby Massage Oil In The Summer Season?
Soaring temperatures across the country increase the worries of parents of newborns. Questions like whether you should be massaging your baby in this scorching heat naturally arise in mind. While some oils generate heat, other oils such as coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, etc., have cooling effects. Massaging would no doubt help your baby to relax and sleep well. So, in summer, a massage should be a precursor to a warm bath. The best baby massage oils for the summer season are:
1. Virgin Coconut Oil For Baby Massage In Summer
Coconut oil is a light and easily absorbable oil, making it perfect for summer massages. Its non-greasy nature makes it an excellent leave-on oil. Since coconut oil does not contain any added chemicals or perfumes, it's good to use for babies with sensitive skin. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help ward off skin infections in babies.
2. Sesame Oil For Baby Massage In Summer
Sesame oil is one of the most used massage oils in India. It's highly lubricating and nutritious, and Its light texture makes it perfect for summers. It is enriched with vitamin B complex, E, and D, and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and proteins which get easily absorbed into the skin. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Sesame oil is also an important oil used in Ayurveda.
3. Olive Oil For Baby Massage In Summer
One of the recommendations is olive oil for baby massage in summer. Made from olives, this oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. It also contains squalene and oleocanthal, which helps in repairing skin damage. It's non-toxic to put on the delicate skin of babies while killing dangerous microbes too. Virgin olive oil is safe enough to put on the skin of babies. Olive oil is often the oil of choice to mix with mustard oil to reduce the latter's pungency. Though olive oil is not suitable for especially sensitive-skinned babies or if they have skin issues.
4. Almond Oil For Baby Massage In Summer
If you have been feeling uncertain about the many choices you can never go wrong with almond oil for baby massage in summer. Almond oil's light texture makes it easy to spread on the skin. Its edible and non-toxic nature makes it perfectly safe to use as a massage oil. Lightly heated almond oil helps the oil gets absorbed into the skin faster. The oil is rich in vitamins, fatty acids, potassium, and magnesium. This strengthens and nourishes the baby's skin, hair, and nails. It also boosts their immunity. It contains SPF 5, which helps in protecting the skin from harmful sun rays.
5. Shea Butter For Baby Massage In Summer
Shea butter is one of the best oils for newborn massage. It is a super moisturizing massage oil enriched with vitamins A and E. It helps keep a newborn’s skin extremely soft. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties making it best to treat insect bites or rashes. It is also a good oil to soothe dry skin or eczema with. Shea butter, especially shea butter is considered safe for babies of all skin types.
Which Massage Oils Are Bad For Baby's Skin?
While massaging your baby is good, not all oils are best for the baby's delicate skin. Babies having dry, sensitive skin or eczema should avoid mustard oil, clarified butter, and olive oil. These oils have high amounts of oleic acid in them. Oleic acid makes the skin barrier more open, i.e. permeable. This makes the skin drier and worsens eczema.
Another oil to avoid is peanut oil, as some babies may be sensitive or allergic to peanuts. Using peanut oil, in that case, would cause skin irritations in your baby.
Parents should also avoid using essential oils for baby massages. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin of both babies and adults. So it is best to use other, safer alternatives for massaging the skin of the baby.
How To Choose The Right Massage Oil For The Baby?
Before making your choice for your baby's massage time, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Consult a pediatrician for guidance on massaging oils suitable for your baby's skin type.
Avoid using oils with strong fragrances. Instead of preferring edible, odorless oils, babies are prone to sticking their hands and feet in their mouths.
Avoid using mineral oils for massaging your baby. Mineral oil may dry out the skin or clog the pores of the skin.
It is best to use products specially formulated for a baby's skin. Products formulated for adults may cause harm to a baby's delicate skin.
Avoid changing the massage oil without consulting a doctor. It is best to continue using oils that a baby's skin has already become used to.
What Are The Benefits Of Doing Baby Massages?
Regularly massaging your baby would improve your baby's development. Baby massage offers a lot of shining benefits to your child. It would help you in bonding with your baby. Therefore, some of the other benefits include:
Soothing your baby will reduce their crying
Aiding in digestion which helps in relieving colic, gas, and constipation
An increase in weight
Relieving nasal congestion and teething discomfort
Enhancing the baby's bodily awareness
Helping your baby develop good muscle tone, coordination, and suppleness
Provide a boost to the immune system of your baby
Improve the skin texture of the baby
Help both you and your baby calm and relax
10 Tips For Baby Massages
Here are a few pointers before you start a massage bonding session with your baby:
Do a patch test the day before to ensure that the chosen massage oil is right for your baby's skin.
Prep your environment and ensure no distractions before you start your massage time with your baby.
Ensure your hands are warm, clean, and dry.
Check the temperature of the oil before applying it to your baby. It shouldn't be either too hot or too cold.
Massage if only your baby likes it. Please don't force it or apply too much pressure while massaging your baby.
Massage your baby near naptime as babies often fall asleep after it.
Check the expiration date on the oil bottle before making a purchase.
Do not store large quantities of oil as it may go rancid.
Do not put oil in the nose or ears of the baby.
Watch a few how-to videos or ask the trusted elder of your house to show you the techniques of baby massage.
Most of all, enjoy the time with your baby, and do not forget there is always a right way to massage your baby!
FAQs
1. Does my baby need an oil massage?
Oil massage has several benefits that make it a healthy activity to include in your baby's routine. But if you find the oil too messy to use, you could use other alternatives or use nothing at all.
2. Can you put oil on newborn skin?
It is advisable to wait at least four weeks before starting on baby massages. A newborn's skin is too thin and easily damaged. It hasn't had the time to develop its own natural protective barrier.
3. How long should I massage my baby?
A 15-20 minutes massage is good enough for one session. Longer than that might lead to skin irritation and overstimulation for the baby.
4. Should I bathe my baby before or after a massage?
It is best to massage your baby sometime before bath. This way, oils with heavy residues can be washed off during the bath.
5. How often should I massage my baby?
The frequency of massage is up to you and your baby. You could do it daily or alternatively in a week according to what is suitable for your baby.
Takeaway
Baby massages are a wonderful, soothing way to calm and relax a fussy baby. It is also one of the better ways to bond with your baby. Oil massages are one of the oldest bonding practices in India while also promoting the health and development of the baby. It is important to use oils according to the season. Pure oils are best to put on a baby's delicate skin. For any questions and concerns, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.