A wonderful moment of tenderness, baby massage is just as beneficial for your little one’s well-being as it is for their development. Your baby will surely enjoy these special one-on-one moments that him soothe and relieve them of their minor ailments . For parents, it’s also a beautiful way to communicate with your newborn and an opportunity to build confidence. Practiced regularly, it will quickly become a little ritual of tenderness between you and your little adventurer.

Benefits, precautions, movements: everything is covered so you know how to give a baby massage. Rest assured, you don’t need to be a pro; it’s mainly about listening to your infant and trusting your instincts.

What are the benefits of massage for babies?

It strengthens the parent-child bond

Massaging your child lets you share beautiful moments of bonding and communication. It’s the perfect opportunity for your partner to actively participate in caring for the baby, to pamper him, and to build a strong connection.

This practice is also beneficial because it engages touch, which is essential for a baby’s healthy development . Your little one needs physical contact from birth because touch is their primary way of communicating with the world. It also stimulates oxytocin production , the hormone of well-being and attachment. Massage is therefore a true cocktail of emotions and hormones that strengthens parent-child bonds!

It promotes communication

It isn’t always easy to understand this little being who arrives without a user manual! Baby massage helps you become more attentive to your baby’s non-verbal language and understand it better. Looks, smiles, gestures, emotions: so much happens during these intense moments of connection!

It relieves stomach aches.

Focused massages in the abdominal area can promote intestinal transit and relieve your baby of minor discomforts: gas, constipation, colic .

It soothes and promotes sleep

Thanks to its calming and relaxing properties, massage can help your infant sleep better . It helps him release tension and the small stresses of daily life. Fully relaxed, your child can then enjoy better-quality sleep , deeper and more restorative.

It helps the baby better understand their body

In the first few months, your little one isn’t aware of their body’s boundaries. Massaging your infant helps them develop their body schema .

From what age can you start massaging a baby?

Your little one can be massaged from the first few weeks of life. For newborns, it’s recommended to start with very short massages focused only on the feet. Also, wait before massaging their little belly. If your baby is premature or has health issues, consult your doctor or midwife before giving a massage.

Before the age of 1 month, touch should remain very gentle. After that, you can massage a little more deeply. Around 9–12 months, your child may become impatient, even if they’ve loved being massaged until now. This is normal—your little explorer is more eager to move and discover the world around them!

What is the ideal duration of a massage?

Start with short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes to get baby used to it gently without tiring him out. Despite appearances, being massaged takes a lot of energy for your little one! Over the months, you can gradually increase the massage time (without exceeding 20 minutes… unless he asks for more!). Whatever happens, stay attentive to your infant and his cues. Adapt your sessions accordingly: if he signals that he’s had enough, it’s time to stop. Massage should remain a moment of well-being and never become a chore. If he babbles or smiles with happiness, you can extend the pleasure a little longer!

When to massage the baby?

Choose a moment when your baby seems relaxed and fully available. This can be after the bath or before bedtime to prepare for sleep . Wait at least half an hour after a meal or bottle, during digestion, before giving your infant a massage. If they are crying, postpone your session. Your baby isn’t available, and the massage won’t soothe them—on the contrary. Likewise, it isn’t recommended to massage a baby who has a fever.

It’s also important to choose a time when you feel relaxed . Your little one picks up on emotions, and if they sense you’re worried, the massage won’t have the desired benefits. Don’t worry: as you progress through the sessions, you’ll learn to identify the best moments more easily.

Which massage oil to choose?

Vegetable oils are particularly suitable for babies’ delicate, sensitive skin. Thanks to their composition, which is close to the epidermis, they gently nourish the skin while providing vitamins and trace elements. Choose a pure vegetable oil, cold-pressed and preferably organic. For very young babies, it’s important to select an oil with the most neutral scent possible. Your little one needs to smell the natural scent of their parents, which reassures them. As for options, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, or camelina oil are recommended. They will also help you care for your baby’s skin during massage: not only do they hydrate the skin, but they also strengthen the skin barrier. Another advantage, and not the least: these oils are edible (your baby will put their hands in their mouth!). However, avoid essential oils, which are too concentrated. Always consult your doctor or pediatrician before using them on your child. As for mineral oils, they aren’t recommended because they prevent the skin from breathing properly.

The infant massage step by step

• Choose a quiet place. Our advice: don’t hesitate to add some soothing music and soft lighting for an even more relaxing atmosphere!

• Preheat the room to 24-25 °C so that baby doesn’t catch a cold.

• Set your baby up comfortably (on the changing table, on the bed, or on the floor on a play mat).

• Wash your hands, remove your jewelry, and make sure your nails are short enough to avoid hurting your baby.

• Put some oil in your hands and rub them together to warm them up.

• Always keep one hand in contact with your baby so they feel secure throughout the massage.

• Feel free to speak to him softly, explaining your movements, or to sing.

• Movements should be slow, smooth, and enveloping. Pressure should be neither too strong nor too light. The massage shouldn’t feel like simple caresses, as these will stimulate your baby more than relax him.

• Stay tuned in to your child, and let your instincts and feelings guide you. After a short learning period, you and your partner will quickly become pros 😊

How to give a relaxing massage to a baby

To start gently massaging your baby, the easiest approach is to begin with the legs, which are less sensitive than the rest of the body. It’s best not to start with a full massage during the first sessions. Proceed gradually: massage the legs and feet first, then slowly incorporate other parts of the body.

The legs

Wrap your hand around the top of your baby’s thigh and slide it down the leg, from the groin to the ankle. Move one hand after the other along the same leg, applying gentle pressure. You can then massage the other leg.

The feet

Slide your thumbs from heel to toes several times. Massage each toe. Since this area is very rich in nerve endings, the whole body will benefit from this massage.

The torso

Place the palm of your hand on your little one’s left shoulder, then slide it toward the right hip. Alternate with the other side (from the right shoulder to the left hip) and repeat these two movements several times.

The arms

As with the legs, wrap one hand around your baby’s arm and slide it from the armpit to the wrist.

The hands

Massage the palm of your baby’s hand with small circular motions using your thumb, then work up to the tips of each finger, gently stretching them. Then massage the other hand.

The back

Gently turn your infant onto their stomach. As with the chest massage, make a crosswise movement by sliding your hand from the left shoulder blade to the right buttock, then from the right shoulder blade to the left buttock.

How to relieve colic and constipation through massage?

Massages focused on the abdomen can relieve a constipated or colicky baby. To help release gas and move stool that may be blocking the intestines, you can try this series of movements:

• Place your hands (pre-oiled and warmed) on your child’s little belly.

• Place your hand flat under the baby’s belly and slide it toward you, alternating with the other hand. Repeat the motion about 6 times.

• Gently bring the baby’s knees toward their tummy by applying slight pressure to the abdomen. Hold your baby in this position for 6 seconds.

• Massage your baby’s stomach with circular motions, moving clockwise (the direction of digestion).

• Bring the knees back to the chest once again for 6 seconds, then make circles with the knees to further massage the stomach.

• Repeat this series of movements 3 times.

Do you have doubts about your little one’s bowel movements? Feel free to read our dedicated article on .

If you feel you need to build confidence, you can attend a massage workshop. It can also be an opportunity to meet and connect with other parents. Whatever happens, learning to massage your baby is more about an instinctive moment of well-being than a sequence of technical gestures. You’ll quickly find your rhythm, guided by your baby. ;)