Infant massage is literally a tool at our fingertips! This practice is backed by evidence and provides more than just a soothing effect. Infant massage offers a wealth of benefits for infants and their caregivers, from enhancing parent and infant attachment to supporting development and easing common baby discomforts. This article explores the advantages of infant massage, based on the best available evidence, with a focus on infant development, management of digestive discomfort, and benefits to parents and caregivers. In addition to valuable baby health and development checks that Child and Family Health Nurses offer, the nurturing approach of infant massage can be recommended to parents to support overall infant wellbeing.
What is infant massage?
Infant massage involves gentle rhythmic, long and circular strokes to different parts of the body, including the face, upper and lower limbs, chest and back. It has been practiced for centuries in various cultures, particularly in South Asia and Africa, and is increasingly recognised in Western healthcare systems for its holistic benefits (Cooke, 2015).
Infant massage incorporates three different massage strokes: Swedish massage, Indian massage and reflexology (IMIS, 2009).
The practice of Swedish massage involves strokes towards the centre of the body, moving against the direction of hair growth on the limbs. Use of this technique on infants is recommended in limited amounts, as it encourages circulation, which can be overstimulating for infants.
The practice of Indian massage is mostly utilised in infant massage and involves gentle strokes away from the centre of the body, emphasising relaxation.
The practice of reflexology in the context of infant massage involves targeted pressure to specific reflex points on the baby's feet. These points are believed to link to different organs and body systems and are therefore thought to benefit different parts of the body.
Massage is performed by a parent or caregiver and can be adapted to suit the baby's age, temperament and health status. It is appropriate for infants and older children and can be incorporated into the daily family routine.
Infant massage is used to promote physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing in infants and their caregivers (Nousia, 2023). It is often accompanied by soothing verbal communication, eye contact, and responsive interaction, which enhances its therapeutic effects (Field, 2010).
Parent and Infant Attachment and Bonding
Benefits of Infant Massage for Attachment
Attachment theory explains the need for infants to form a strong emotional bond with their primary caregiver for survival and healthy development. Consistent, predictable and responsive caregiving nurtures secure attachment, whereby infants feel safe and develop trust and emotional regulation (Bowlby, 1977; Danielsson et al., 2024).
Infant massage provides a unique opportunity for parents to engage in close physical contact, eye-to-eye interaction, and responsive communication with their infant. Massage encourages parents to become more attuned to their baby's cues, such as facial expressions, body movements, and vocalisations.
Being attuned to a baby's cues enhances parents' sensitivity and responsiveness, which are key components of secure attachment. Secure attachment is associated with better emotional regulation, social competence, and resilience in later life (Danielsson et al., 2024; Sroufe, 2005).
Evidence Supporting Attachment
Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of infant massage on parent-infant bonding.
- Onozawa et al. (2001) conducted a randomised controlled trial showing that mothers who practised infant massage reported stronger emotional bonds and increased confidence in caregiving.
- Porreca et al. (2017) found a significant improvement in the quality of mother-child interactions, highlighting a general increase in both maternal and child's emotional availability (EA) parallel to the unfolding of the infant massage program.
- Moussa et al. (2021) found that infant massage led to an increase in salivary oxytocin levels for mothers and infants in dyads with normal bonding.
- Cheng et al. (2011) found that infant massage for fathers offers measurable psychological and relational benefits, including reduced parenting stress, increased confidence, and stronger father and infant bonds.
These findings highlight the role of infant massage in fostering secure attachment relationships.
Mental Health
Impact on Infant Mental Health
Infants benefit from massage through improved emotional regulation, reduced irritability, and enhanced sleep patterns (Danielsson et al., 2024; Field, 2010).
The tactile stimulation provided by massage promotes the release of oxytocin (commonly known as “the love hormone”) as well as serotonin, which helps to decrease stress and enables infants to feel calm and relaxed (Danielsson et al., 2024; Moussa et al., 2021).
Impact on Parental Mental Health
Postpartum depression and anxiety can impact parent and baby bonding. Mothers or parents may feel emotionally numb or overwhelmed, making it difficult to respond sensitively to their baby's cues.
Infant massage has been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress by promoting relaxation, enhancing parental confidence, and facilitating emotional connection and bonding (Danielsson et al., 2024; Onozawa et al., 2001).
The act of massaging a baby can be meditative and grounding, helping parents to feel more present, engaged and in control (Field, 2010).
Supporting Evidence
- A systematic review by Geary et al. (2023) reported several studies that demonstrated improved mother-infant interactions with increased meaningful interactions, a reduction in symptoms of depression and improved maternal confidence.
- Onozawa et al. (2001) specifically found that mothers with depressive symptoms experienced reduced scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) after participating in a baby massage program.
Digestive and Gut Health Benefits
Massage and Gastrointestinal Function: Influence of the Vagus Nerve
Infant massage, particularly abdominal massage, has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve through pressure receptors under the skin (Diego et al., 2005).
The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve and plays a key role in regulating bodily functions, including the cardiorespiratory and digestive systems.
Stimulation of the vagus nerve or increased vagal tone activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers rest and digestion.
This stimulation enhances gastric motility and has been shown to be an effective way to help relieve constipation and infant colic (Diego et al., 2005).
The rhythmic pressure applied during massage helps to move gas through the intestines and promotes bowel movements.
Increased vagal nerve activity has also been shown to improve weight gain in preterm infants, especially those with very low birth weight, through improved gastric motility and increased insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which are important hormones for growth (Diego et al., 2005).
Supporting Evidence
- Sheidaei et al. (2016) found that infants receiving regular abdominal massage had significantly fewer episodes of colic (a reduction in colic crying) and improved bowel movements over a one-week intervention.
- A randomised controlled trial by Lu et al. (2020) reported that massage therapy reduced gastrointestinal discomfort and improved feeding tolerance in preterm infants.
- Diego et al. (2005) showed that preterm neonates receiving massage therapy gained 27% more weight than controls, and gastric motility and increased vagal nerve activity were significantly correlated with weight gain.
These findings highlight the potential of baby massage as a non-pharmacological intervention for digestive issues.
Child Development Benefits
Touch is a baby's most developed sense at birth, and babies rely on touch to learn about their world and regulate their bodies. Massage stimulates nerve endings that send messages to the brain, helping a baby to learn about their body and refine sensory processing abilities (American Academy of Pediatrics; Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU).
Infant massage also benefits other areas of development, including gross motor, communication, social and emotional, and cognitive development (American Academy of Pediatrics; Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU; IMIS, 2009).
GROSS MOTOR: helps infants develop a sense of body (body awareness) and proprioception (body position and understanding of movement in space), which is important for the attainment of gross motor skills.
COMMUNICATION: encourages early communication skills through eye contact, listening, imitation, non-verbal communication and turn-taking.
COGNITIVE: enhances overall awareness of self, cause and effect, and attention.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL: encourages infant and parent or caregiver to engage with one another and promotes secure attachment.
Recommended Oils for Baby Massage
Cold-Pressed Oils vs. Mineral Oils
The choice of oil used during baby massage is crucial for ensuring skin safety and enhancing the massage experience. Skin sensitivities and allergies, including family history of allergies, need to be considered when selecting oils. A 24-hour skin patch test is ideal before selecting a particular oil (IMIS, 2009).
Cold-pressed oils are recommended for infant massage. These include fruit, vegetable, seed or nut oils (such as almond, apricot, coconut, sunflower, and grapeseed oil). They are manufactured without the use of heat or chemical processing (Alparslan, 2022).
Benefits of cold-pressed oils include:
- Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, making them beneficial for infant skin health
- Easily absorbed
- Non-toxic
- Less likely to cause allergic reactions
Mineral oils, in contrast, are petroleum-based and may contain synthetic additives. Although some mineral oils are marketed for baby care, concerns have been raised about their potential to clog pores and interfere with the skin's natural barrier function.
Studies have shown that mineral oils may increase the risk of skin irritation and are less effective in promoting skin hydration compared to natural oils (Bond, 2018).
Key Takeaways
Infant massage offers a wide range of benefits for infants and their caregivers, including those outlined in this report: enhanced attachment, improved infant and parent mental health, digestive support, and overall development.
With Child and Family Health Nurses playing an important role in early intervention and family wellbeing, they are well positioned to recommend infant massage and identify families that would benefit from referral to an infant massage course.
References:
Alparslan, O. (2002). Baby Massage and Massage Oils: Are they safe? Pediatric Practice and Research,10, (1), 32-37.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). The benefits of baby massage. (online). HealthyChildren.org. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/the-benefits-of-baby-massage.aspx (Accessed 25 Sep. 2025).
Bond, C. (2018). Baby Massage Oil. International Association of Infant Massage.
Bowlby, J. (1977). The making and breaking of affectional bonds. I. Aetiology and psychopathology in the light of attachment theory. British Journal of Psychiatry, 130(3), 201-210. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.130.3.201
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The many benefits of infant massage. (online). Available at: https://www.chrichmond.org/blog/details/the-many-benefits-of-infant-massage (Accessed 25 Sep. 2025).
Cooke, A. (2015). Infant Massage: The practice and evidence-base to support it. British Journal of Midwifery, 23, (3),156-227.
Cheng, C., et al. (2011). Supporting Fathering Through Infant Massage. Journal of Perinatal Education. Fall;20(4),200-209.
Danielsson, M., et al. (2024). Mothers' experience of infant massage in child health care: A qualitative interview study. Nursing Open, Jun 14;11, (6), e2206.
Diego, M.A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Cullen, C., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2005). Vagal activity, gastric motility, and weight gain in massaged preterm neonates. Journal of Pediatrics, 147(1), pp.50-55.
Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review. Developmental Review, 30(4), 367-383.
Geary, O., et al. (2023). The effectiveness of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of maternal postnatal depression: A systematic review. PLoS ONE 18(12).
IMIS - Infant Massage Information Service. (2009). Training Manual and student handbook.
Lu, L.C., Lan, S.H., Hsieh, Y.P., Lin, L.Y., Chen, J.C. & Lan, S.J., 2020. Massage therapy for weight gain in preterm neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 39, p.101168.
Moussa, I. M., El-Sayed, O. S., Shokry, N. I., & Bahaa, H. A. (2021). Effect of infant massage on salivary oxytocin level of mothers and infants with normal and disordered bonding. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501327211012942
Nousia, A. (2023). Healthy touch and infant massage: Two main factors in infants daily care and healthy development. European Journal of Education Studies, 10(6), 332-345.
Onozawa, K., et al. (2001). Does infant massage improve mother-infant bonding? Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(5), 381-392.
Porreca, Alessio, et al. "Infant Massage and Quality of Early Mother-Infant Interactions: Are There Associations with Maternal Psychological Wellbeing, Marital Quality, and Social Support?" Early Human Development, vol. 104, 2017, pp. 29-36.
Sheidaei, A., Abadi, A., Zayeri, F., Nahidi, F., Gazerani, N. & Mansouri, A., (2016). The effectiveness of massage therapy in the treatment of infantile colic symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 30, p.351.
Sroufe, L. A. (2005). Attachment and development: A prospective, longitudinal study from birth to adulthood. Attachment & Human Development, 7(4), 349-367.