Massaging is a very crucial step for newborn care. It is done to strengthen bones and muscles of the baby. Massaging also helps in optimal growth and development of the baby and it is seen that such babies begin crawling and walking before they turn one year old. But along with massage, the oil that you are using for baby massage is important. You may find a plethora of baby massage oils in the market but traditional oil massages are the best. These are organic and rich in nutrients to make your baby strong. Here are five best massage oils for babies.
Mustard oil
Traditionally, mustard oil is used for baby massage in most Indian households. This is proven good for strengthening bones and muscles of the baby while providing warmth to their body. Since newborns are prone to pneumonia, massaging their bodies with mustard oil can keep them warm and protected from cold and viral infections. This is particularly for winters where temperature is low and can hamper the health of the baby. Additionally, mustard oil possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that ward off skin infections.
Almond oil
Almond oil is believed to be the best oil for baby massage. It has vitamin E which is great for skin and hair. Since newborn skin is prone to dryness and infections, applying almond oil can prevent all the possible skin issues. Also, massaging this oil upscales hair growth in babies and improve their complexion as well. All in all, regular massage with almond oil aids stronger bones, soft skin and hair growth in newborn babies.
Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Olive Oil Is The Best Oil For Baby Massage
Coconut oil
This is the second most used oil for massaging babies. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that release stiffness from muscles and strengthen them. Coconut oil is extremely nourishing and when applied on the head can also increase hair growth. This can be used for hair massage to grow thick and black hair.
Also Read: This Winter, Give Coconut Oil Massage To Babies For Umpteen Benefits
Olive oil
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that build skin cells of babies. Olive oil massage can help strengthen bones, increase growth, make the baby active and keep them soft & supple. Olive oil gets easily absorbed into their skin to keep it moisturised. If your baby is allergic to other oils, you can definitely use olive oil for massage.
Sesame oil
Lastly, we have sesame oil in this list. This is equally beneficial as other oils but the reason why most mothers don’t use it for baby massage is that it is very sticky. However, sesame oil massage increases blood circulation in the body making the baby more active and gaining strength quickly. Apart from increasing core strength, sesame oil massage also reduces the risk of newborn skin infections.
These five oils are the best for baby massage as these are rich in nutrients and provide optimal nourishment to the baby. It is safe to do a patch test first to eliminate the risk of skin reaction after use.
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