How to Massage a Newborn Baby

Co-authored by Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)

Last Updated: April 21, 2022 References

After your baby is born, it’s time to start that exciting process of bonding with them in the outside world! Massaging your newborn is a wonderful way to build a close relationship with your baby.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator

Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} It’s also been shown to improve babies’ immune systems, weight gain, and motor skills.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} You can start massaging your baby right after birth, although it’s a good idea to double-check with your doctor before doing so.^{[3]
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Research source} Massage each part of the baby’s body to soothe them -- and you! Create a calming environment with warmed-up natural oils, songs, and a soft blanket.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Massaging Your Baby’s Tummy, Chest, and Back

Establish eye contact with your baby and use a soft tone of voice to speak to them during the massage. This will help strengthen the bond between the two of you and help your baby learn to regulate emotion.^{[4]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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2
Move your hand from the base of the rib cage down the belly. Place your hand palm-side down on the baby’s torso. Stroke downward, applying just a little bit of pressure. Move across horizontally to reach the left and right sides of your baby’s body.^{[5]
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- Be very gentle with the pressure, especially in your baby’s first few weeks of life. While a little pressure has been shown to enhance the benefits of massage, you don’t want to push too hard on your baby’s little body.^{[6]
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Move in a clockwise direction. This particular massage helps with digestion. Don’t be surprised if your little one passes some gas! If they do, it’s a good sign the massage is working.^{[7]
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4
Do the “I love you” stroke for a sweet and soothing motion. This movement combines the letters “I,” “L,” and “U.” Start by tracing the letter “I” (just do an up-and-down line) on the baby’s left side. Then, make a backwards “L” by stroking across your baby’s chest below the rib cage and down their left side. Finally, trace an upside-down “U” by moving your fingers up their right side, around their navel, and down their left side.
- As you do this, say “I love you” to your baby, matching the word to the motion.
Use your fingertips for a gentle amount of pressure. Start at their sternum (in the middle of the bottom of their rib cage) and move upwards across their chest to the shoulders. Make your fingertips meet in the middle of their upper chest.^{[8]
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Stroke across from the baby’s hip up to their shoulder. Then repeat on the other side.^{[9]
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If you’d prefer, you can also lay them down on their tummy on a blanket in front of you. Either way, ensure that their head is turned to 1 side so they can breathe.^{[10]
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Use your fingertips and avoid pressing on your baby’s spine. Instead, trace small circles on the left and right sides of your baby’s back. Then, stroke your fingers from your baby’s neck down to their buttocks and back up again. Finally, use the tips of your fingers to form a rake and very gently “rake” up and down your little one’s back.^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Massaging Your Baby’s Head and Face

Reach underneath your baby’s head and neck to make sure they’re well supported. Use your fingertips to trace very small circles on their scalp. Avoid the soft spot right at the top of their head.^{[12]
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Use the tips of your pointer fingers. Start at the crown of your baby’s head and move down to their chin.^{[13]
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You can use your pointer fingers for this movement, as well. Be very gentle and move slowly. Consider telling your baby which part of their face you’re touching!^{[14]
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Only use your fingertips and apply just a small amount of pressure. You can then trace a circle around their little cheeks.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Massaging Your Baby’s Arms and Legs

1
Make a bracelet with your fingers and stroke their arms. Hold your baby’s wrist gently with 1 hand. With the other hand, encircle your baby’s arm below their shoulder and stroke gently downward.^{[16]
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Research source} You can also gently “milk” the arm by applying just a little pressure as you move downward. Repeat the movements on the other side.
- You can reverse and repeat this movement several times on both sides.
Tap your baby’s upper arm with your fingertips to relax it. Then, move your thumbs from the heel of their hand up to the top of their palm. Repeat on their other hand.^{[17]
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Turn your baby’s hand over and stroke from their wrist to the tip of each finger. When you switch your attention to each little finger, be very gentle with your pressure. Be sure to do both hands!^{[18]
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This is the same bracelet movement you performed on your baby’s arms. Stroke both the inside and outside of your baby’s leg, moving from their hip down to their ankle. Reverse and repeat the movement a few times, then move to the other side.^{[19]
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Move your thumbs up and over each other like you’re climbing a ladder across the bottom of your baby’s foot. Then, stroke from their heel up to their toes in one motion. You can also gently trace circles on the tops of their feet. Finally, make very small circles with your fingertips around their ankles.^{[20]
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This “flexion” part of the massage should help your baby gain weight, improve their bone development, aid with digestion, and soothe gas pains.^{[21]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Grasp your baby’s feet gently in both hands. Then, pump your baby’s legs so they move in and out against their tummy.
Hold your baby’s hands and smile at them. Then, move your baby’s arms in and out across their chest, helping them bend their elbows.

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Creating the Perfect Massage Experience

1
Set aside at least 30 minutes for your massage session. Choose a time when you know you won’t be rushed. This will make it a calm and relaxed experience for both you and your baby.
- Since the massage may relax your baby and make them sleepy, consider making it part of your bedtime routine. This can also help them learn to associate massage with going to sleep.^{[22]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
  Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
  
  Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} If you massage your baby before their bath, for example, you’ll be able to rinse off any oils you use during the session.
Wait at least an hour after a feeding to give your baby a massage. This will help them fully digest.^{[23]
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Research source} The massage will also likely work best if your baby is wide-eyed and awake.^{[24]
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Since you’ll be undressing your baby down to their diaper, it’s best if the room is on the warmer side. This will keep your baby from getting chilled during the session. Lay out a thick and soft blanket to lay the baby on during the massage.^{[25]
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4
Use edible, unscented oils to enhance the benefits of massage. Natural oils like coconut and safflower are best, as these won’t clog the baby’s pores.^{[26]
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Research source} While you don’t have to use oil, it’s been shown to have some benefits. It should keep your baby’s skin nice and moist, and it might also lead to some extra weight gain.^{[27]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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- Warm up the oils by rubbing a small amount in between your fingers.
Use the sound of your voice to help your baby relax. Speak to them in a sing-song tone while you play some instrumental music in the background. Or sing the songs yourself to provide the music on your own!^{[28]
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Over time, you’ll learn your baby’s individual signs. In general, expect a happy baby to be cooing, passing gas, making eye contact with you, and breathing easily and evenly. A stressed-out baby might get the hiccups, have patches of red or pale skin, avoid focusing on you, and/or cry.^{[29]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you stimulate a newborn baby?

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
Deanna Dawson-Jesus is a Birth Doula, Childbirth, and Lactation Educator based in Danville, California. As the owner of Birthing Babies - A Celebration of Life, Deanna has 19 years of birth doula experience and has assisted with over 250 births. She also has over five years of postpartum doula experience and assists more than ten families. Deanna has additional extensive training in Assisted Reproductive Technologies, VBAC support, and Perinatal Loss Support. She is a Certified Birth Doula by DONA International and teaches at Blossom Birth and Family.

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)

Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator

Expert Answer

Creating skin-to-skin contact has many benefits, including creating a calming and comforting effect. Placing your baby on your bare chest allows them to hear your heartbeat, feel the warmth of your skin, and smell your skin.

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Question

Does massage help my baby?

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
Deanna Dawson-Jesus is a Birth Doula, Childbirth, and Lactation Educator based in Danville, California. As the owner of Birthing Babies - A Celebration of Life, Deanna has 19 years of birth doula experience and has assisted with over 250 births. She also has over five years of postpartum doula experience and assists more than ten families. Deanna has additional extensive training in Assisted Reproductive Technologies, VBAC support, and Perinatal Loss Support. She is a Certified Birth Doula by DONA International and teaches at Blossom Birth and Family.

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)

Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator

Expert Answer

Massage can help you bond with your baby and also release stress. If you set up a routine where you massage your baby before bed, it can also help them form better sleep habits.

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Tips

Talk to your baby throughout the massage. Ask their permission before starting and guide them through each step. They may not be able to understand every word you’re saying, but they’ll recognize your voice and happy tones!

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Take care not to overheat any massage oils you use on your baby. Rub the oil between your hands to test the temperature before applying it to your baby’s skin.

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You can start with any part of the body and go in any order your choose.

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Warnings

Talk to your pediatrician before starting a massage routine, especially if your baby was born before their due date.

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Avoid massaging your baby’s tummy if their cord area hasn’t completely healed. This usually takes between 2 weeks to a month.^{[30]
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National Health Service (UK)
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