Choosing the Right Oil for Massaging Your Baby
Massage plays an important role in the healthy growth and development of babies both emotionally and physically. Infant massage is not only a great way to bond with your baby, but it also helps to improve their sleep pattern, immune system, circulation and digestive system function. To increase the effectiveness of your massage and protect your baby’s sensitive skin, it’s crucial that you choose the right oil. There are several oils available, but before you choose one, consider some of the dos and don’ts of baby massage oil.
Do: test for skin sensitivity
Every infant’s skin is different, so it’s recommended that you patch test for any sensitivities she or he may have before you begin with the massage. Performing a patch test is the best way to test your baby’s sensitivity to new oil since it’s easier to deal with one inflamed piece of skin than the entire body. To perform a patch test, place a small portion of oil on the inner arm in the morning, and then continually monitor it throughout the day. Any redness that develops indicates an allergic reaction or sensitivity to that particular oil.
Don’t: use oil you wouldn’t want your baby to eat
Infants often put their hands and feet into their mouths during massage, so for this reason you should only use massage oil you would feel comfortable with your baby eating. Of course, the reverse of this is not true: not all edible oils are appropriate for massage. For example, olive oil is edible, but its texture is too thick and won’t be absorbed sufficiently by your baby’s skin.
Do: choose pure cold pressed oils
Pure cold pressed oil is easily absorbed by the skin as opposed to those that tend to leave a greasy film, such as mineral oil. Since these oils soak into the skin so readily, however, it is important that they are organic and free from pesticides as there is a common concern that the harmful pesticides could also be absorbed into the skin. Use oils such as organic almond/sweet almond oil, sesame oil, apricot kernel oil.
Don’t: choose essential oils
While essential oils smell nice, they are not recommended for infant massage. The reason for this is twofold: their increased potency and their strong fragrance. Bonding time is one of the biggest benefits of baby massage, and odour plays a large role in infants and parents learning each other’s ‘signature fragrance’, so strong-smelling oil will inhibit this bonding process. When it comes down to it, essential oils are generally not edible either, so there is a strong case for avoiding them altogether.
Do: be aware of nut allergies
If there is any history of nut allergies in your family, you should take extreme caution before choosing nut oil for baby massage. If you are unsure about whether or not your baby might have a reaction, then you should avoid using nut oils altogether until you can be sure. Of course, peanut oil is never recommended for use in baby massage regardless.
There are so many fantastic infant massage oils on the market these days that it shouldn’t be hard to find one you and your baby both love. Just make sure you do your research and a patch test before you cover your baby with any new type of oil.