Mindful baby massage

Massaging your baby can be a great way for you both to relax, interact, and bond. Research shows that it can also reduce crying, improve sleep, and calm your baby by lowering levels of the hormone associated with stress. Since it’s such a sensory experience, however, some babies can become overstimulated by it. Note: if your baby has any underlying health issues, talk to their pediatrician before giving them a massage.

Baby massage tips

Your baby is more likely to enjoy a massage if:

• They’re neither too hungry, too full, nor too tired
• The room is warm—about 75 F is best—and free of drafts
• You use a little bit of coconut oil and massage them from the center of their bodies out
• You keep it short—five minutes or less

4 cues of contentment

Younger babies have limited mobility and only a few ways to communicate. Your baby is likely enjoying their massage if they’re:

1. Making eye contact with you 
2. Cooing 
3. Appearing calm and relaxed
4. Moving their arms and legs slowly and smoothly

5 signs of discomfort

It’s time to stop the massage if your baby is:

1. Grimacing, scrunching up their face, or sticking out their tongue repeatedly
2. Becoming fussy and making attempts to move away, such as turning their head from side to side or avoiding eye contact
3. Arching their back and squirming
4. Getting red or pale in the face
5. Tensing up their body, particularly at your touch