Touch is your baby’s first language.

As the first sense to fully develop, it’s a primal way for babies to connect with and understand their new world.

Baby massage is a channel of communication that can say:

“This is you! Here is your body!”

Helps baby build body awareness

“I love you, I’m here with you”

Promotes bonding, security, connection

“You’re safe, you can sleep”

Co-regulates + relaxes baby’s nervous system

“Let’s help your tummy feel better”

Aids digestion, moving gas through baby’s system

With Indian Ayurvedic roots, baby massage has been an integral baby care ritual for centuries. Its modern practice in the West blends Indian principles with Swedish massage, reflexology, and yoga.

So, what are the benefits of massaging my baby?

Gentle touch can trigger endorphins, with enhanced feelings of love, calmness, and well-being for both parent and baby. Massage has also been linked to improved sleep quality for baby and parent, especially when done as part of a daily evening routine before bedtime; studies have shown a reduction in stressOpens in a new tab. by lowering cortisol and releasing oxytocin (aka the “happy hormone”)—all of which can lead to more a restful night.

What should I look for in a baby massage oil?

Using an oil (ahem, Dream Oil) during massage helps reduce friction on baby’s delicate skin—your hands should glide smoothly, without dragging or pulling. Here are a few things to look for when choosing an oil:

• No synthetic fragrance or essential oils
• Prioritize plant-based oils > mineral oil
• Gives a good slip + spreads evenly
• Suitable for newborns
• Microbiome-friendly
• Helps lock in moisture

What’s the right massage pressure to use?

⓵ ⓶ ⓷ ⓸ ⓹ ⓺ ⓻ ⓼ ⓽ ⓾

Light grazing | 1 - 3

Lightly tap and graze delicate areas

like the forehead, neck, and chest

Gentle pressure | 3 - 5

Think slightly firmer than you’d press on your eyelid, for body strokes (arms, legs, tummy)

Comfortably firm | 5 - 7

Use firm squeezes for particularly ticklish

spots like palms, feet, and toes

Ouch! Too intense | 8 - 10

Deep-tissue pressure and pinches are likely uncomfortable for babies

What are some baby massages for relaxation and digestion?

A few of our favorite techniques

For relaxation (see videos hereOpens in a new tab.):

Legs + Feet

The Easy Peasy

Gently squeeze + stroke down from top of the thigh to ankle.

Reverse—up from ankle to thigh—then switch legs.

The Sausage Roll

One at a time, take baby’s toes between thumb and index finger.

Gently squeeze, then stretch each toe.

Arms + Hands

Finger Pulls

Holding the wrist, gently pull each finger starting at the pinky

and moving to the thumb, then back again.

Upper Body

Cross Your Heart

With your hand at baby’s shoulder, stroke down towards their opposite hip,

repeating on both sides.

For digestion (see videos hereOpens in a new tab.):

Tummy Tuck

Hold baby’s ankles, bring their knees up toward the chest.

Then stretch the legs out, giving them—and the hips—a wiggle.

Slide 3:

Tummy Snug

Start with both hands at baby’s belly button. Glide up towards shoulders

before circling each hand back down.

Slide 4:

Tummy Time

With pads of 3 middle fingers, draw clockwise circles around baby’s tummy.

Slide 5:

Roly Poly

With alternating flat hands, sweep down baby’s abdomen

from rib cage to diaper.

Slide 6:

Flower Power

With finger pads, make small, circular motions on the

tummy in a clockwise direction.

Slide 7:

I Love You

Stroke “I” down baby’s left belly. Then—from your left to

right—make an upside down ‘⅂’ and upside down “∩”.

Slide 8:

Give It Some Sole

Use thumbs or index fingers to draw a line from baby’s heel up toward each

toe, one toe at a time.

Tip: Massage on the soles of feet can actually help relieve constipation by

stimulating digestion, releasing gas, and relaxing tummy muscles.

Any other baby massage tips?

• As a regular part of baby’s bedtime routine, relaxation massages can signal that it’s time for sleep.
• About 30 mins after a feeding is a sweet spot that ensures their stomachs have settled and they are not too hungry or too full
• Set the mood with a warm environment, dim lights, and soft music.
• If you’re using Dream Oil or any other oil, start with 1-2 pumps, and add more as needed. 

And remember:

Babies are people, and we don’t all like the same things. Some will enjoy massage; others will squirm, scream, and ultimately prefer other relaxation methods. Follow their cues through different techniques, pressures, and body parts.

Baby massage should feel like an ongoing, flowing conversation.