Baby Massage – A Simple Way to Help Your Baby Relax
If your baby is fussy, gassy, or hard to settle, you are not alone.
Many parents look for something simple that actually helps.
Baby massage is a gentle, research-informed way to support relaxation, connection, better sleep, and even mild gas discomfort in the early months — without complicated routines or special equipment.
Just your hands.
Just a few intentional minutes.
Just time together.
What Baby Massage Can Help With
Parents often use baby massage to:
✅ Support sleep routines
✅ Ease tummy discomfort
✅ Reduce evening fussiness
✅ Strengthen bonding
✅ Create calm moments in busy days
When your baby relaxes into your hands, everything feels lighter.
Holding feels easier.
Your confidence grows.
You feel calmer inside yourself.
Baby Massage for Sleep and Comfort
Bedtime can feel like the hardest part of the day. A few minutes of baby massage can help your baby’s body slow down, making settling feel easier. The familiar rhythm of your hands becomes a gentle cue that it’s time to rest.
Looking for clear step-by-step infant massage instructions? Visit our Infant Massage for New Parents page.
Baby Massage and Infant Massage
You might see this called “infant massage” in some places. That’s simply the professional term for baby massage.
Whatever you call it, when it’s taught step by step, it becomes a clear, simple skill you can use with confidence — not something you have to figure out on your own.
Learn Baby Massage Through Best Beginnings
The Best Beginnings Infant Massage and Movement Program teaches you exactly how to massage your baby step by step, using simple, practical techniques you can use from the early weeks onward.
You will learn how to:
Massage your Baby safely and confidently
Read your baby’s cues
Help your baby relax in their body
Improve your connection with each other
Add gentle movements to your daily routine that will help Baby thrive.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about enjoying your time together more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, baby massage is generally safe when done gently and in a calm environment. In the early weeks, sessions should be short and responsive to Baby’s cues. If Baby turns away, stiffens, or cries, it’s a sign to pause. The goal is connection, not completion.
If your baby was born early or has medical concerns, speak with your healthcare provider before beginning.
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Many parents begin baby massage once Baby is able to lie on their back comfortably with relaxed arms and legs. It is usually around the age of 3 months or older when Baby can be comfortable during massages.
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Baby massage does not need to be long to be effective. Even five to ten minutes a few times a week can make a difference. Some parents use it daily as part of bedtime routines. Others use it during fussy periods or after bath time.
Consistency matters more than length.
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Many parents find that baby massage supports smoother bedtime transitions. The rhythm of your hands can become a calming signal that sleep is coming. While it is not a sleep training method, baby massage may help Baby’s body relax before rest.
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Gentle abdominal massage techniques are often used to support digestion and ease mild gas discomfort. Movements are slow, light, and always guided by Baby’s comfort. If your baby has ongoing digestive concerns, consult your healthcare provider.
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“Infant massage” is simply the professional term for baby massage. Both describe the same practice of using intentional, gentle touch to support relaxation and connection. When taught step by step, baby massage becomes a clear skill parents can use confidently at home.
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Yes! Because babies put their hands and feet into their mouths, we recommend food based oils such as almond oil, grapeseed oil, fractionated coconut oil and avocado oil.
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Not every baby responds the same way. Try a different time of day, shorten the session, or begin with just one body part. Watch Baby’s signals closely. The goal is calm connection, not completing a routine.
It’s important to know where and how to do infant massage properly If you are not using a guided program, please consider purchasing Best Beginnings.
Ready to Learn Baby Massage Step-by-Step?
About Best Beginnings
Created by Dr. Melanie Beingessner, pediatric chiropractor and certified infant massage instructor, the Best Beginnings Program combines professional expertise with practical tools parents can use at home.
Our goal is simple: to help parents and caregivers give Baby the best possible start in life — through calm, touch, and play.