Short answer

Baby massage is a gentle way to connect with your child, read their cues and build calming routines. Parents often notice more relaxed feeds or bedtimes and a stronger sense of confidence. The strongest research findings are in preterm care, where massage by caregivers can support weight gain and shorter hospital stays. At home, the focus is connection, comfort and learning your baby’s signals in a safe, parent-led way.

Why touch matters in the first year

Touch is a primary language in infancy. It sits inside the global Nurturing Care approach to early development, which highlights responsive caregiving alongside health, nutrition, safety and early learning. Gentle, attentive touch can help parents notice and respond to their baby’s cues, which supports healthy development and secure relationships.

In practice, this looks simple: warm hands, slow strokes, pausing when your baby looks away or fusses, and returning when they re-engage. That responsive rhythm is the heart of baby massage. Australian family resources echo this focus on bonding and attunement rather than “fixing” specific problems.

 

What the evidence says

Preterm and low birth weight infants. Multiple reviews report that when parents provide massage in neonatal settings, babies may gain weight faster and sometimes go home earlier. The classic Cochrane review found improved daily weight gain and shorter hospital stay, though later updates note variability in methods and quality, so results should be interpreted with care.

At home with healthy term infants. Studies are more mixed. Parents frequently report better settling or sleep after massage as part of an evening routine, but effects can vary and depend on timing, technique and the baby’s temperament. A recent synthesis notes disagreements across trials, which is why guidance emphasises bonding and cue-based care, not cure-all claims.

Safety always comes first. Massage complements safe sleep, feeding and medical care. Keep sleep guidance in view and avoid products or routines that conflict with safe sleep advice.

 

Benefits parents often notice

Connection you can feel. Many parents describe eye contact, cooing and relaxed breathing as they find a comfortable rhythm together. Government-supported resources in Australia frame massage as a practical way to bond through positive touch and everyday routines.

Calmer routines. When massage is part of a predictable routine, some babies settle more easily for feeds or sleep. Even when sleep does not change right away, the routine can still be soothing for both of you.

Parent confidence. Learning to read early hunger, tired or “I need a break” cues helps you respond sooner and with less guesswork. Cue-based care is a key pillar of responsive caregiving.

 

How to start: a simple, safe routine

1. Choose the right time. Aim for when your baby is alert-calm, not hungry or overtired. If your baby looks away, flails or fusses, pause and try later.
2. Set up the space. Warm room, soft blanket, clean hands and unscented oil. Keep sleep-safety in mind if your routine is close to bedtime.
3. Go slow and follow cues. Start with gentle strokes on legs and feet. Watch your baby’s face and breathing. If they turn away, pause. If they re-engage, continue.
4. Keep it short at first. Don't focus on providing massage for a set abount of time. Build a routine gradually as your baby shows you they enjoy it.
5. Learn safely from a professional. Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants demonstrate on a doll and coach you to massage your own baby, which supports your confidence and acheives the best outcomes for your baby. Look for an instructor or consultant who completed training and practice standards that prioritise parent-led care.

What a class with a certified professional looks like

Classes are parent-led. The instructor demonstrates on a doll while you massage your baby, so touch always stays within the family. Instructors help you read cues, choose timing and adapt strokes for your baby’s age and health needs, and they will refer you to your health professional when needed. This aligns with family-centred practice and responsive caregiving principles used internationally.

“In week one we watch for ‘I’m ready’ signs like bright eyes and relaxed limbs. Parents quickly see that pausing when a baby looks away actually builds trust. By week three, the routine starts to feel natural and parents say they baby is calmer, even if sleep challenges are still unfolding.”

This kind of coaching helps families build a routine they can sustain at home.

 

Common questions, answered

Can baby massage help with colic, gas or constipation? Some families report comfort with tummy routines and gentle leg movements, though results vary. If you try tummy strokes, use a gentle, clockwise pattern.Speak with your health professional about persistent symptoms.

What oil should I use? Many parents use a small amount of edible, unscented oil. If your baby has eczema, allergies or preterm medical needs, ask your health professional first. Local hospital and parenting sites often provide practical guidance.

Is it safe before sleep? Yes, if you keep the routine calm and follow safe sleep advice. Avoid products or practices that conflict with safe sleep recommendations. However, parents often notice better results when massage is preformed closer to when a baby wakes up instead of prior to sleep. If you find your baby isn't sleeping well, changning their massage time may help.

 

Finding the right support

For many families, the easiest first step is a small-group class or a home visit with a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant. These professionals are trained to keep the session relaxed and cue-based, with demonstrations on a doll so your baby stays in your hands. On babymassage.net.au you can explore beginner tips and then connect with a qualified instructor.

Across Australia and internationally, certified instructors use a consistent, ethical approach that centres parents and respects cultural touch traditions. 

 

Interested in teaching baby massage?

If you love supporting families, consider professional training. The Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS) prepares people from health, allied health, education and community backgrounds to work with parents as Certified Infant Massage Instructors or Paediatric Massage Consultants. Training focuses on ethics, safety and cue-based coaching so graduates can deliver classes and home visits with confidence.

 

Key takeaways

• Baby massage is a parent-led way to bond and build calming routines at home.
• Evidence in neonatal care is strongest for growth-related outcomes in preterm infants; home benefits vary, so keep expectations realistic.
• Safety first. Keep sleep guidance in mind and ask your health professional about medical questions.
• Learning with a certified professional helps you read cues and build a sustainable routine.

Sources

BabyBunting 2024, Baby massage guide: when, how and why?, BabyBunting Australia, viewed 29 October 2025, https://www.babybunting.com.au/baby-talk/massaging-your-baby-when-how-why

Cochrane Library 2023, Massage for promoting growth and development of preterm and/or low birth-weight infants (CD000390), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, viewed 29 October 2025, https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000390.pub2/abstract

Frontiers in Pediatrics - Zhang L, Li H & Chen J 2023, Effects of massage therapy on preterm infants and their mothers: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Pediatrics, vol. 11, article 1198730, viewed 29 October 2025, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1198730/full

Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS) 2025, Getting started with baby massage, IMIS, viewed 29 October 2025, https://www.babymassage.net.au/getting-started

Raising Children Network 2025a, Newborns: massage, Raising Children Network, viewed 29 October 2025, https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/health-daily-care/massage

Raising Children Network 2025b, Touch and holding for sick or premature babies in the NICU, Raising Children Network, viewed 29 October 2025, https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/premature-babies-sick-babies/connecting-communicating/touch-massage-in-the-nicu

The Royal Women's Hospital 2024, Baby massage - fact sheet, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, viewed 29 October 2025, https://www.thewomens.org.au/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Baby-massage_240524.pdf

World Health Organization (WHO) & UNICEF 2018, Nurturing care for early childhood development: a framework for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential, WHO Press, Geneva.