Oil
Research on hospitalised babies showed they did better with an oil versus a dry massage. Massage with oil has more positive effects of neonatal infants:
Infants showed fewer stress behaviours (e.g. grimacing and clenched fists) and lower Cortisol levels (stress hormones) following massage with oil versus, massage without oil.
Massaging with oil is also easier as it allows smooth gliding movement, which are soothing to the baby instead of the frictional movements, which come from the dry massage.
What Oil to Use?
Use any light edible oil. Studies have shown that infants and mothers can recognize each other by smell very soon after birth. Your baby will become deeply attached to you, and this recognition is an important part of that. The massage time can promote this attachment. While you are learning to massage and while, your baby is learning to trust the massage as a reliable connection to you, stick with unscented oil. Grape seed and almond oil, often sold as massage oils, are great.
Even vegetable oil from your kitchen will do. Remember babies love to suck on their fingers, so use a product that you wouldn’t mind them eating. You may want to use old towels underneath your child, because it may be difficult to get the oil out of your linens.
Later, when you are massaging a toddler you can be more casual and use any scented oil you prefer.
How Much Oil to Use?
When using massage oil, you should have enough to enable your hands to move smoothly over your baby’s body. If your hands slide around too easily, or the oil noticeably glistens, you are using too much. On the other hand, if there is friction and the hand drags, you are using too less.
Connecting with the Baby During the Session
• Focus all of your attention on your baby, let go of all distractions.
• Stifle the urge to chatter non-stop, communicate with your facial expressions and hands.
• Practise listening with your whole body and all your senses.
• Wait for your baby’s answer when you ask them something, they will often respond with non-verbal “mouthing”, facial expressions and body language.
• Breathe deeply and keep your hearts connected.