Infant Massage and the Power of Gentle Touch in the Early Months
The early months with Baby can feel emotional and overwhelming all at once. Baby is adjusting to life outside the womb, and parents are learning how to care for a brand-new little human. During this time, gentle touch can help both Baby and parent feel calmer, more connected, and more confident.
Early movement and touch matter. When parents understand how Baby’s body and nervous system develop, they can create stronger foundations for learning, regulation, and confidence.
Infant massage offers a simple, effective, nurturing, and fun way to begin.
Why Gentle Touch Matters in the Early Months
Touch is Baby’s first and most developed sense. Long before Baby understands words or routines, they respond to how they are held, soothed, and touched. Research shows that gentle, nurturing touch supports bonding and helps Baby’s nervous system begin to organize in the early months of life (1).
In these first months, Baby’s body is learning how to settle, rest, and respond to the world. Slow, predictable touch can help Baby feel safe and supported in their body. It helps Baby recognize calm and comfort, which is an important part of early nervous system development.
For parents, touch can also be reassuring. Infant massage offers a quiet way to connect with Baby, even during moments of uncertainty or fatigue. Through touch, parents can notice Baby’s cues and preferences, which helps build confidence in daily care.
Infant Massage Is About Learning About Baby
Infant massage helps parents learn how Baby responds to touch and being present together. As parents massage Baby, they may notice changes in breathing, relaxation, or movement. These small observations help parents understand what Baby enjoys and when Baby needs a break (2).
Over time, this enhanced awareness helps parents trust themselves. Instead of relying on rigid routines or outside opinions, parents learn to respond to Baby with more ease and confidence. This growing sense of understanding strengthens the parent–Baby relationship.
Infant Massage Helps Baby Settle and Feel Secure
Infant massage is a simple place to begin. When parents understand how Baby’s body and nervous system develop, gentle touch becomes more than comfort. It becomes a foundation for learning, regulation, and confidence.
Gentle touch provides important sensory input that supports calm states and connection.
Research has shown that nurturing touch supports the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding and relaxation, for both Baby and parent (3).
Through repeated moments of calm, responsive touch, Baby begins to feel more settled and secure in their body and environment. Over time, these repeated experiences help Baby develop a growing sense of security and trust, which supports early comfort and connection between Baby and parent.
How Best Beginnings Supports New Parents
The Best Beginnings Infant Massage and Movement Program was created to help parents build trust and connection with Baby during the first year and beyond. Through short, easy-to-follow videos, parents learn gentle infant massage and simple movement experiences designed to support Baby’s early development. The program focuses on helping parents feel confident using everyday touch and movement in a way that feels calm, responsive, and supportive of Baby’s growing sense of security.
References
(1) Field, T. (2019). Touch (2nd ed.). MIT Press.
(2) Bigelow, A., & Rankin Williams, L. (2020). To have and to hold: Effects of physical contact on infants and their caregivers. Infant Behavior and Development, 61, 101507.
(3) Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M. (2021). Oxytocin and bonding: The science of nurturing touch. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 742236.