Best Massage Oils for your baby

Baby Massage oils provides a loving, gentle communication time between you and your baby. It is being practiced by many cultures for centuries and for a good reason. The majority of us would agree both getting and giving massage feels amazing to the mother & the baby.
However, there are a few critical elements you will need to understand before deciding which oil to use for your baby’s massage.

Listed below are few baby massage oils that are suitable for massaging your newborn

Sesame oil
Sunflower oil
Rice bran oil
Sweet almond oil

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is the best oil for massage according to Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita, one of the most popular Ayurvedic refrence book, lists the many benefits of sesame oil as a massage oil and claims it to be the best of all oils.

Sesame oil is easily absorbed into the body & has a lovely texture to it. It is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E and phytosterols. Sesame oil is especially recommended for sensitive skin because of its high linoleic acid content giving it antibacterial properties.

Benefits of using sesame oil in a massage

Sesame oil is rich in linoleic acid, has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It makes the skin soft and supple.
It penetrates easily into the baby’s skin and gives a feeling of wellbeing.
It lubricates and tones the baby skin and muscles.
Sesame oil is known to promote deep relaxation and sound sleep.

Sunflower oil

This light and thin oil is not only used for cooking, but is also a very good massage oil. It has been the preferred choice of baby massage instructors for at least a decade now. Sunflower oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, of which over 60% is Linoleic acid (Omega 6). It also has a high proportion of sterols and tocopherol (vitamin E).

100 grams of sunflower oil contains an average of 55 mg α-tocopherol (Vit. E). Phytosterols are known to be good emulsifiers. Because of this property, these compounds are assumed to facilitate oil penetration into the skin, thus helping improve the skin.

Benefits of using sunflower oil in a massage

Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E, considered to be important in improving skin health and regenerating cells.
Sunflower oil is known to improve skin’s moisture levels.
Sunﬂower oil is rich in unsaturated fay acids, of which 62% is Linoleic acid (Omega 6).
Research studies indicate that linoleic acid (LA) and gama-linoleic acid (GLA) reduce transepidermal water loss.

Rice bran oil

Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the germ and inner husk of rice. To create the oil, manufactures press the hull or bran of the rice grain, which squeezes out the oil. Unlike olive oil, rice bran has mostly omega-6 fatty acids, which are extremely beneficial to the skin.

Benefits of using rice bran oil in a massage

The main benefit of rice bran oil to the skin is its wonderful deep-moisturizing capability. This is due to its combination of vitamin E and fatty acids, which go deep into skin to improve its ability to hold onto hydration.
Rice bran oil boosts skin’s natural regeneration process.
it’s easily absorbed into the skin, so it doesn’t increase oiliness.
Rice bran oil doesn’t clog pores(non comedogenic) that makes it ideal oil for massage

Sweet Almond oil

Sweet Almond Oil is a highly recommended oil for massage. It’s very absorbent on the skin and is able to maintain its oily properties long after the massage is done. It helps to moisturize and soften the skin. Sweet almond oil is also rich in vitamin E and contains B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. This oil also contains high levels of fatty acids and has been used for over centuries to treat skin diseases, namely, eczema and psoriasis.

Benefits of using sweet almond oil in a massage

Sweet almond oil can be a fast and effective remedy if you suffer from any inflammatory conditions.
Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamins and has moisturizing qualities.
Sweet almond oil neutralizes free radicals that reduce skin elasticity.

Key points to remember

Before using any new oil to massage your baby, always test a little of the oil onto a little patch of your infant’s skin and leave it for 12 to 24 hours to check for any response. A good place to get this done is the thigh region. Don’t use the oil if there’s a reaction. Wipe and wash it off instantly.
Never put any baby massage oil in your baby’s eyes, nose or ears as this could irritate the baby.
After massage always be careful when you pick your baby as their skin could get slippery.