How to Give a Baby Massage With Confidence

Remember how you’d rub your baby bump and feel those tiny kicks? From that moment until your baby is born, touch matters for bonding and nurturing. It's why Unang Yakap—or first skin-to-skin contact—is standard practice in Philippine hospitals. And baby massage is a natural next step to keep that bond going.

This gentle, comforting ritual not only helps your baby’s body and mind but can also give you a sense of calm as a parent. Here's a look at the benefits and simple techniques you can try at home.

Benefits of Baby Massage Therapy

While not every benefit has been fully proven, there is plenty of research that points to how much an infant massage can support your little one's comfort, growth, and sense of security.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), whole-body massage can benefit your baby in the following ways:

• Helps relieve symptoms of colic, gas, and constipation
• Improves blood circulation and calms the nervous system
• Boosts the body's natural relaxation response, lowering stress hormones
• Helps baby wind down for sleep
• Support digestion by encouraging the release of hormones like insulin and gastrin
• Promote regular bowel movements, which can help reduce bilirubin levels (an indicator of jaundice) in newborns
• Encourages soothing behavior that helps babies settle more easily

Recent studies also suggest that baby massage may benefit your child's physical growth. A 2023 clinical trial published in Infant Behavior and Development found that infants whose moms received online massage training showed greater increases in weight by the eighth week and height by the 20th week, compared to a control group.

Another study, a 2022 review in the Journal of Global Health, highlighted that baby massages might help boost an infant's length during those early weeks. However, the impacts on weight, sleep, and other developmental milestones are still unclear.

How Giving Baby Massages Helps Parents

Pay attention to your baby’s cues as you massage. Do they seem relaxed or restless? If it's the latter, best to try again later. 

The benefits of baby massage spill over to parents, too. That same clinical trial found that moms who massaged their babies regularly felt more confident and more connected to their little ones.

Another 2023 study, published in Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology, found that when moms, especially those with preterm babies, practiced baby massage, they experienced less anxiety, lower stress, and fewer depressive symptoms in the short term. They also felt more satisfied and competent as parents, now more in sync with their babies.

When and How Often to Massage Your Baby

There's no perfect time for a baby massage—it should be done whenever it feels right for you and your little one. But it's helpful to make it a consistent practice or part of a routine.

Ideal time

Health experts recommend doing baby massages after a bath, as part of the bedtime routine, or during a quiet moment in the day when you’re both relaxed.

Frequency and duration

WHO notes that in most of the trials, whole-body massage was given for 10 to 20 minutes a day, over six to eight weeks. Keep those sessions short with newborns and gradually stretch out the time as your baby gets more comfortable with it.

Remember that every baby is different. A 2024 qualitative study in the Nursing Open journal found some babies preferred shorter sessions or resisted certain positions at first, while others happily relaxed into the touch.

Over time, the parents in the Nursing Open study became skilled at reading their little one's signals. They'd adjust the pressure, pace, or position, so the massage felt comfortable and positive for both of them.

How to Massage a Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide

While taking a baby massage training course is an advantage, you don't really need a special skill to give one. The key is to use gentle strokes and light pressure.

This step-by-step guide from the AAP helps you discover your baby's preferred stroke or pressure. You don't need to use every method or follow a specific sequence. Just pay attention to what your little one enjoys the most.

strokes for baby massage for colic relief to release trapped gas and ease discomfort.

Hand massage

• Place your thumb in their palm while your fingers rest on the back of their hand.
• Massage one hand at a time or bring both together.
• If your baby’s fists are tight, gently massage their palm in a small circle to help them relax.

Back massage

• Place your baby on their tummy if they’re comfortable.
• Using deep-touch pressure (firm yet gentle strokes), start at the shoulders and glide down to the lower back. Please keep your hands to either side of the spine (never directly on it).
• End by resting one hand firmly on your baby’s bottom.

Foot and shoulder massage

• Hold your baby’s feet firmly, one in each hand, and gently clap them together.
• Holding the ankle with one hand, place your other hand so your fingers rest on top of the foot and your thumb underneath. Stroke firmly from heel to toe to avoid tickling.
• Give each toe a gentle tug.
• While your baby sits on your lap, use your fingertips to gently rub their shoulders. Include light strokes along their arms for extra comfort

Body, head and face massage

• Starting at the top of your baby’s body, move down the outside using firm, gentle pressure, all the way to their feet.From the chest, stroke down the belly and then down the front of the legs.
• Cup your hands around your baby’s head and stroke back over the crown.
• Gently stroke along the jawline toward the chin, then across the forehead and eyebrows.
• Trace small circles on the cheeks and give the chin a light squeeze.

Baby Massage for Specific Needs

Once you feel comfortable with the basic strokes, you can easily adjust them to help with issues such as your baby not sleeping well, experiencing constipation or colic.

Improve sleep quality

There isn't a one-size-fits-all baby massage for sleep. But you can start with a gentle hand massage before moving on to a full-body massage. You can do it just before bedtime when your baby is relaxed but not they’re sleepy already.

Ease symptoms of constipation

The "I Love U" technique is probably the most popular baby massage for constipation relief. You massage your baby's their tummy in a circular, clockwise motion. You can find instructions in this article on baby constipation.

Relieve colic or gas

For colic, have your baby lie on their back and gently move their legs in a “bicycle” motion, bringing one knee toward the tummy at a time. Follow with soft, clockwise circles on the belly.

AAP also recommends five strokes for baby massage for colic relief to release trapped gas and ease discomfort.

Baby Massage Safety Tips

Keep these guidelines in mind every time you and your baby have your massage session.

• Make sure the room temperature is comfortable (it shouldn't be chilly).
• Lay your baby on a soft, clean surface like a blanket on the floor or a changing mat.
• Wash your hands and remove jewelry that could scratch.
• Try again later if your baby turns away, stiffens, or cries during the massage.
• Avoid massaging right after feeding or when your baby is hungry.
• Always support your baby with one hand when lifting or repositioning during massage.
• Avoid broken skin, rashes, or healing spots from vaccines during the massage.

If your baby has a medical condition, check with your pediatrician first if you can do a baby massage.

FAQs About Baby Massage

A back massage can help your baby enjoy tummy time!

When can I start massaging my newborn?

Consult with your pediatrician about timings. But you can typically begin a gentle massage as long as your baby is healthy and your pediatrician has no concerns. For newborns, keep sessions short and slow.

What oil should I use for baby massage?

You can use a small amount of baby-safe oil or lotion, but skip anything heavily scented. AAP recommends natural oils like coconut. Do a patch test first to check for any skin reaction.

Can massages really help with my baby's sleep?

Studies have shown that babies who receive daily massage may be calmer, show fewer signs of stress, and even have lower levels of stress hormones. These effects may help improve baby sleep, but it's not yet clear if massage directly helps them fall asleep faster or stay asleep longer.

How long should a baby massage last?

For newborns, start with just a few minutes at a time. You can extend to 10–15 minutes as your baby gets used to it, but always follow their cues. If they seem restless or upset, it’s time to stop.

Is massage therapy safe for preterm infants?

Most healthy newborns can enjoy massage, but check with your pediatrician first if your baby was born prematurely, has a medical condition, or is recovering from an illness or surgery. Avoid massaging areas with rashes, wounds, or recent injections.

For many parents, these quiet, intentional minutes of baby massage become almost like a reset button in the day. It’s a chance to slow down, breathe, and share something calming and positive with your baby. Over time, that gentle touch helps build a stronger bond and a happier baby.

What's your baby massage technique that calms your little one! Share your tips on the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook Group!