The massage environment
Massage techniques
About massage oils
Using some type of oil to massage your baby will help your hands glide easily, cause less friction on your baby's soft skin and allow you to give a little depth to your massage without causing discomfort for your baby. It is important to use good quality massage oil, so that it is not 'sticky', facilitating a smooth movement, making the massage action gentle and free flowing.
The oil you use can be a pure, cold-pressed one such as olive oil, or from a seed or fruit that is pesticide free, such as grape seed, sweet almond, or sunflower oil. The lighter the oil, the more likely they will be absorbed by your baby's skin and not leave an oily residue (or need to be washed off afterwards). You may wish to avoid oils that may stimulate an allergy in your baby. For example, wheat germ oils should not be used on babies with a wheat or gluten allergy and some people are allergic to peanut oil. You can read more about carrier oils in
about natural therapies.
Avoid using strongly perfumed oils as these may irritate your baby's skin. Also read the labels on any so-called 'baby oils', as some are mineral based, being commonly derived from petro-chemicals. These types can dry the baby's skin and leave an oily surface that will need to be sponged or washed off with soapy water, to prevent it from blocking their skins pores. Only pour enough oil for the massage into a small bowl or container (for easy use). Never pour any unused oil back into the bottle, as it may cause contamination of the oil.
It is a good idea to always do a 'skin test' of the oil you intend to use on your baby. Rub a little of the oil into a small area of the baby's skin (about 1centimetre), either on your baby's leg, or the top of their arm. Leave this for 24 hours, to see if there is any allergic reaction (such as a skin irritation or red blotches).