When it comes to massaging babies, the traditional and most popular and beneficial way still is to massage them with baby oil before a bath. Even now, parents prefer oils over massaging lotions and creams for more reasons than one. Massaging with baby oil, especially the best in the market, is one of the best ways to take care of your baby’s skin. Not just that, but it’s also an endearing activity that helps a new mother bond with her baby. her gentle strokes and touch help the newborn understand being close to a parent, besides strengthening their muscles and body. That’s why many childcare specialists advise first-time mothers to regularly give their little bundles of joy a body massage. However, such oils for your baby must be according to your baby’s sensitivity and skin. 

While some oils are easily absorbed by their skin, some have a shiny and slippery layer that stays on for a while. So, it’s best to take your doctor’s advice before choosing such oils. To that end, here are the 13 best massaging oils for babies.

California Baby Calming Massage Oil

13

The California Baby Calming Massage Oil is great for massaging your baby. The main ingredients of this massage oil are cold-pressed oils, including clary sage, scented French lavender, primrose, safflower, and canola. They not only help refresh their senses but also smooth and soothe the skin of your newborn. If that wasn’t enough, this natural massage oil is also gentle on your baby’s body and face. Plus, it penetrates deep into their skin without leaving any greasy residue that will irritate them or leave marks when they crawl around. Please note: It needs to be used externally only.

Shoosha Calendula Oil

12

If you’re looking for a quick-absorbing oil, then look no further than the Shoosha Calendula Oil. This truly organic massage product comprises a mild yet rich blend of soothing oils and is infused with calendula petals. Hence, it moisturizes your baby’s delicate and dry skin for up to 24 hours, which is a rare treat, as well as moisturizes the skin. What’s even better is that it’s non-greasy and absorbs quickly, and can be used for every part of your baby’s body, from the head to toe. Further, this massage oil is infused with the goodness of vitamin E, rosemary oil, sunflower seed oil, and coconut oil. That’s what makes it one of the best baby oils for a massage.

Evereden Soothing Baby Massage Oil

11

The Evereden Soothing Baby Massage Oil is perfect for massaging your baby. It’s suitable for all skin types as it’s made from natural ingredients. These include sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, avocado, grapeseed, and jojoba. Hence, it’s lightweight, non-greasy, and deeply hydrates the skin as well. What’s even better is that this massage oil is non-toxic, and even dermatologists and pediatricians recommend it. The best bit? The oil is free from fragrance and, thus, ideal for eczema-prone skin.

Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil

10

If you’re looking for GMO-free oil, then Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil is perfect. This versatile and branded baby oil is perfect for perineal massage both before and after labor. Hence, it’s absolutely suitable for newborn babies. Secondly, the ingredients include apricot oil and lavender flower extracts. Since they have nourishing properties and are gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin, it’s bound to better your baby’s skin. Finally, it contains no synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and GMOs.

Himalaya Nourishing Baby Oil

9

The Himalaya Nourishing Baby Oil is one of the best baby oils for a massage. There’s a lot to love about this nourishing oil, starting with the fact that it’s stain-free and mild. So, it’s perfect for massaging your baby’s skin. Secondly, the oil helps moisturize and soothe the skin and helps in treating dry skin. Moreover, the Ashwagandha (a.k.a. winter cherry) has antioxidants that protect your baby’s skin before and after a bath. Plus, the vitamin-E-rich olive oil nourishes sensitive skin, while the fact that it’s free of synthetic colors, lanolin, mineral oil, phthalates, and parabens makes it even better.

The Moms Co. Natural Baby Massage Oil

8

You can’t go wrong with The Moms Co. Natural Baby Massage Oil. The natural ingredients in the Moms Co. massage oil include wheat germ, jojoba, chamomile, almond, avocado, and sesame oils. All these ingredients aid in moisturizing and soothing the skin and strengthening the baby’s bones. The massage oil is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and free of parabens, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrances.

Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel

7

The Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel is perfect for massaging your baby. The dermatologically-tested oil is Johnson’s concentrated gel contains cocoa butter and shea butter, known for their skin-conditioning and skin-nourishing properties. This baby oil gel seals in up to ten times more moisture than a regular lotion on damp skin. Gently massage the oil gel into moist skin after showering to leave your baby’s skin soft and supple. The gel is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. 

Tropical Holistic Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil

6

The Tropical Holistic Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil is one of the best baby oils for a massage. This entirely organic, greenish-yellow tinted oil is high-quality and fresh. That means that it’s appropriate for all skin types, making it perfect for your baby. Moreover, the high oleic acid content in the oil works to rejuvenate the hair and skin deeply. Hence, it increases the natural suppleness of the baby’s skin and gives it a youthful appearance.

Earth Mama Calendula Baby Oil

5

The Earth Mama Calendula Baby Oil is excellent for massaging. This Earth Mama oil has jojoba oil, calendula oil, and grapeseed oil, making it suitable for the sensitive skin of a newborn. What’s more, it nourishes and moisturizes the baby’s dry skin, so you can use this to massage your baby’s scalp and body. The best bit? This oil doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients, such as petroleum, parabens, and mineral oils, and doesn’t have any artificial fragrances either.

Sebamed Baby Massage Oil

4

The Sebamed Baby Massage Oil is one of the best baby oils for a massage. This oil keeps your baby’s skin nourished and soft, but it does so much more than that. Secondly, this soothing oil has a very lightweight texture, which means that it can get absorbed very quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy layer on your baby’s skin. Since it’s made from wheat germ oil with vitamin F and soy oil, it nourishes your baby’s skin gently while also soothing it simultaneously. However, the best feature about the il is that it’s hypoallergenic, making it safe for your tot’s delicate skin.

Noleo Gentle Baby Oil

3

The Noleo Gentle Baby Oil is perfect for massaging your tot. This baby oil is a rich blend of three natural oils, namely jojoba, safflower, and grapeseed. While jojoba oil’s Omega-6, linoleic, and vitamins A and E fatty acids help improve skin elasticity and safeguard sensitive skin, grapeseed oil nourishes the skin. What’s more, the oil contains no additives and has natural ingredients instead, making it suitable for your baby’s gentle and sensitive skin.

Mustela Baby Oil

2

The Mustela Baby Oil is one of the best baby oils for a massage. This phthalate-free baby oil is gentle and absorbs very quickly on the skin, thus not leaving a layer that your baby could lick off. At the same time, it’s comforting and soothes the baby’s skin. That’s because it’s made entirely from natural ingredients such as pomegranate, sunflower, and avocado oils. That’s also why the oil is hypoallergenic, along with being delicately perfumed with the brand’s signature fragrance. Finally, the massage oil is free from parabens and is heartily recommended by dermatologists.

The Honest Company Organic Body Oil

1

The Honest Company Organic Body Oil is the best massaging oil for your tot. If you’re on a budget and also don’t want to compromise on ingredients, then get this one. This oil’s formula has nourishing ingredients like tamanu, avocado, jojoba, olive, coconut, and sunflower oil that lock in the moisture and soften your baby’s skin. What’s more, the oil is free from parabens, dyes, fragrances, mineral oil, PEGs, and silicone. It also has no issues with absorption, and the scent is citrus-like and mild. The best bit? The pump is easy to use, which means that you don’t have to regulate or guess the quantity using your hands.

How To Choose The Best Baby Oils?

Brands and expiry date

When you massage your babies with oils, chances are that a layer will remain on your baby’s skin for a while. So, there’s every chance that they might end up sucking the oil from their fingers and thumbs. Hence, unbranded oils could end up causing stomach poisoning. So, choose wisely and don’t go for unbranded oils, and always check out the oils’ or the brand’s certifications. Additionally, do read the expiry date and instructions carefully to avoid any hazards to the baby.

Kind

There are different kinds of baby oils that you can use to massage little ones. They’re listed below:

• Mustard Oil: When heated with fenugreek, carom seeds, or garlic, mustard oil warms your baby’s body in cold weather. While carom seeds supposedly relieve colic, garlic boosts the immune system and has anti-bacterial qualities.
• Olive Oil: While its usage is more in Western countries, even the East has increased its use as a massage oil in the past few years. It’s very moisturizing and makes the skin healthy, shiny, and smooth. However, don’t use olive oil if your baby has eczema.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has a cooling effect on your baby’s body and is great for massages during summer.
• Almond Oil: This is rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium and also enhances the complexion and nourishes the skin.
• Branded Baby Oil: If your baby has got delicate skin, you may choose branded baby oil for her. It is always better to take a doctor’s advice before choosing oil for sensitive skin.

Other important do’s and don’ts

• Don’t use oils with a strong fragrance; choose food-grade oils instead. They’re safe even if your tot licks it off their skin.
• Ask your pediatrician for oils specially formulated for babies. That’s because products made for the skin of adults aren’t advisable to be used on babies’ skin, as they can cause them harm.
• Finally, avoid using mineral oils for massaging your baby.

You might also want to check out the best diaper creams for your baby and the best baby powders.

How Often Should You Massage Your Baby With Oil?

Massaging babies every day is very popular in many cultures, especially for the first three months. That said, there’s no ideal frequency for massaging a newborn.

How Many Months Should I Massage My Baby?

You can give your baby a massage until you and your infant both feel comfortable.