Choice of oil for baby massage
Hello dear parents,
Olive oil, coconut oils, Sesame oil, mustard oil or any other oil…..:” but they used that oil and the baby are so well”.
New parents frequently ask me these questions and sometimes want authentic references too.
“Our friend A residing in California suggested almond oil”, our relative B in Europe suggested us use of Shea butter, our grandmother is saying to use desi ghee,malish wali (yes, most of Indians keep a person to massage baby) is saying coconut oil that too with garlic, carom seeds, Etc, Etc. Sesame oil, mustard oil, olive oil, etc. Etc.
The list is endless with all types of oil available everywhere, on top of it even this was not enough for the confusion, many companies come with different baby massage oil-transparent oil, red-colored oil, different aromas oil, and so on with a healthy baby photo snapped on it so if you don’t use it your baby will surely be not growing well.
So amid the confusion to choose between best oil for our baby massage it is very important first of all to know “why do babies need a massage”??
All pediatricians, obstetricians, lactation counselors, our grandmothers, midwives, etc. Everyone related to the health of the baby suggests massaging the baby regularly, preferably twice a day.
Who should do it, why to do it, what are the benefits of massage?
Massage should be done by the mother or father or another family member who will be taking care of the baby, as it is the way to bond with baby.
Massage should be done with light hands (baby should not be crushed under pressure to strengthen him/her-don’t pressurize your
little one from now. Baby will strengthen physically in the future while playing sports and games, not by today's massage.)
Massage helps babies to -
- l Relax
- l Feel loved and nurtured
- l Improves the circulation of the body.
- l Magical touch - It helps to soothe the crying, irritable, fussy and colic baby (your touch is magical!) and helps in better sleep.(the best rewards for sleep-deprived parents)
- l Weight gain
- l Muscle development (isn't this reason enough for regular massaging)
- l Boosts the immunity
The things behind the stage working for this is a big team of touch therapy, nervous system, hormones, circulatory system, etc etc. Just leave the things on the persons working backstage and you enjoy the movie.
Now to the main question "what to use for baby massage"? and you will be amazed to know the answer--anything available in local area, edible and non-fragrant.- keep it simple.
Yes, you read it right. The person residing in California uses almond oil as it is easily available and local to them(remember California almonds). shea butter origin of South Africa, used by them for cooking and taken by European companies for cosmetics are good for them. Coconut is grown, locally, and easily available and is good for south Indians. These are just a few examples of the endless list of oil.
So before choosing an oil, first of all see your geographical area, observe your local market.
According to Ayurveda desi ghee is the thing which is most “Satmay” (goes with you, blends with your nature). if still confused and don’t know what to choose go for desi ghee.
Before using any oil -do a patch test on your baby’s skin for any allergies.
Massage is an important way to relax, soothe your baby, and make baby feel loved, nurtured, and bonded with you.
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