Baby massage: what the research tells us and how to get started
Baby massage: what the research tells us and how to get started
Touch is one of the oldest forms of care we have. Long before Western medicine began measuring its effects, families across India, Africa and South Asia were passing the practice of infant massage from generation to generation, not as a therapy, but as part of daily life. The science eventually caught up, and what it found was striking.
Babyzone recently hosted a free baby massage webinar with Jessica Barnaschone, Director of Babyzone Hubs, qualified Infant Massage Instructor, International Trainer and mum of two. Over an hour, Jess walked families through the evidence, led a full guided massage session and answered questions live. Here is what you need to know.
What the research shows
There is a growing body of evidence on infant massage, and the picture is genuinely encouraging. For babies, regular massage has been shown to reduce cortisol - the stress hormone - and support better sleep patterns, with studies suggesting it helps babies fall asleep faster, wake less overnight and sleep for longer stretches. The mechanism appears to be melatonin: touch stimulates its release and helps regulate the body clock.
Massage may also ease common ailments including colic, trapped wind, constipation, teething pain and reflux, and is well evidenced for supporting weight gain in premature babies. For parents and carers, the benefits are equally significant. A randomised controlled trial published in 2024 found that babies whose mothers massaged them more than once a week had significantly higher attachment security scores at 12 months. A 2023 systematic review from the University of Limerick, covering eight studies and over 500 mothers, found that every single study showed a reduction in postnatal depression symptoms in mothers who massaged their babies compared to those receiving routine postnatal care.
Crucially, these benefits extend to all caregivers - partners, grandparents, older siblings. Anyone who wants to connect with a baby through touch can do so.
How to get started
You do not need any equipment to begin. Find a warm, comfortable space and something soft to lay your baby on. If you have a plain vegetable oil (sunflower, coconut or light olive oil), that is ideal. Always carry out a patch test first: apply a small amount to the inside of the wrist, leave for a few minutes and check for any redness or reaction. Avoid anything fragranced, nut-based or petroleum-derived, including many commercially marketed baby massage oils.
The guided session Jess leads in the webinar moves through seven areas in order: asking permission from your baby, relaxation strokes, legs and feet, tummy strokes for colic and wind, chest and arms, back and optionally the face. Throughout the session, the emphasis is on reading your baby's cues. A wriggling baby, a turned head, a shift in body language. These are all communications. Responding to them is not just fine, it is the point.
Techniques for toddlers
Baby massage does not stop at 12 months. For toddlers, regulating touch can be genuinely transformative, particularly during or after moments of big emotion. Long, slow back strokes, running a palm from the base of the neck to the base of the spine — activate the parasympathetic nervous system and act as a reset. Firm, steady pressure on the shoulders for a few seconds signals safety to the nervous system. Gentle circular strokes at the temples and jaw can ease teething discomfort and tension. And pairing any of these with a familiar song or rhyme gives toddlers the predictability that calms them most.
With toddlers, as with babies, consent matters. Even before a child has words, their body communicates clearly. Do they lean in or pull away? Do they make eye contact or turn their face? Respecting those signals teaches children something fundamental: that their body is theirs.
Questions parents ask most
In the live Q&A, Jess addressed a wide range of questions. On oils: if you would cook with it, it is safe for your baby's skin — cold pressed organic oils are the highest standard. On frequency: daily massage, even just five minutes, builds the most benefit over time. On medical conditions: in almost all cases gentle massage is appropriate, but if you are unsure, consult your medical professional first and ask specifically what is and is not suitable. On premature babies: massage is well evidenced for weight gain and development; approach gently and build up gradually. On babies who have experienced trauma: the same principles apply; little and often, consistent caregiver, the same familiar strokes each time, always checking in and always following the baby's lead.
Come and try it in a hub
Baby massage classes run in Babyzone hubs across the country. If you would like to try it in person with support from a qualified instructor, find your nearest hub at babyzone.co.uk/visit-us
Touch is, as Jess put it at the close of the session, one of the most ancient and powerful ways we have of saying: I see you. I'm here. You are safe. That is something every baby deserves to feel and something every parent can give.
Watch now
Watch the full session on YouTube. Jess leads a complete guided baby massage you can follow along with at home, including techniques for toddlers and a live Q&A.