To use baby massage oil on a newborn, warm a few drops between your palms and massage in slow strokes, starting with the legs and working up to the back. Choose a warm room and a time about 45 minutes after a feed. Ten minutes is plenty for a newborn.

Dr. Parvathy Sabu, founder of YadaSutra, learnt this routine as a fifth-generation Vaidya. Her family Vaidyasala was started by Neerozhukkil Kannan Vaidyan, who specialised in Bala Chikitsa, Ayurveda's branch of child care. What follows is the order Kerala mothers have followed for generations.

What Should You Get Ready Before a Baby Massage?

Gather everything first so you never have to leave your baby on the mat mid-massage.

• A warm, draught-free room, with fans off

• A soft towel or mat on the floor or bed

• Your bottle of oil within reach

• Short nails, and rings and bangles off

• A calm, fed baby, about 45 minutes after the last feed

If your baby's cord stump hasn't fallen off yet, read up on [the right age to start](INTERNAL-LINK: blog 1) before you begin.

How Do You Massage a Newborn with Oil, Step by Step?

Morning works best, 15 to 20 minutes before the bath, so the water rinses off any extra oil. Early evening is fine too if your baby isn't hungry or overtired. Warm a few drops of YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil by rubbing your palms together for about ten seconds, or stand the bottle in warm water on cold days. Never microwave it, and test the warmth on your inner wrist.

Lay your baby on their back and talk to them as you go. Use your whole palm and gentle pressure. In the first month, 5 to 10 minutes is enough; build towards 15 as your baby grows.

Step 1: Legs and Feet

Start at the thigh and stroke down to the ankle, one leg at a time. Then rub small circles on the soles with your thumbs. Most babies relax here first, so it's a good place to begin.

Step 2: Tummy

Only once the cord has healed. Place your palm below the navel and move in slow clockwise circles, the direction digestion follows. Keep the pressure light and stop if your baby tenses.

Step 3: Chest

Put both hands flat in the centre of the chest and stroke outward to the sides, like opening a book.

Step 4: Arms and Hands

Stroke from the shoulder down to the wrist. Uncurl the fingers gently and roll each one between your thumb and finger.

Step 5: Back

Turn your baby onto their tummy across your lap. Stroke from the neck down to the bottom with both hands, and avoid pressing on the spine.

Step 6: Head and Face

Use fingertips only, and little or no oil. Trace small circles on the scalp, keeping clear of the soft spot, then stroke from the middle of the forehead outward.

Why Use YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil for Your Baby's Daily Massage?

Dr. Parvathy first made this oil in 2014 for her son, whose skin was dry and kept changing texture. Coconut oil and Badam soften and hydrate, sandalwood calms, and two Ayurvedic herbs, Amalaki and Manjishta, support clear, healthy skin. It's recommended from 0+ months, dermatologically tested and free of artificial fragrance, and it absorbs quickly enough that your baby isn't left sticky before the bath. In YadaSutra's own user feedback, 85% of parents noticed calmer babies after daily massage.

How Can You Tell If Your Baby Doesn't Like the Massage?

Watch your baby, not the clock. Crying, arching the back, turning the head away or going stiff all mean it's time to stop. Some babies dislike one area, often the tummy, and enjoy the rest. Skip that part for a few days. A new oil can also be the problem, so if you're still [picking an oil that suits your baby's skin](INTERNAL-LINK: blog 2), patch test first.

Your own recovery matters in these weeks too. Mothers at our clinics often use the Bengkung belly binder for core support and Kikkisa Lepam for stretch marks.

Make the Daily Massage Part of Your Morning

A newborn massage takes ten minutes, a few drops of warm oil and a baby who's ready for it. Follow the same order each day, legs first and face last, and your baby will learn the rhythm quickly. Some mornings they'll love every stroke. On others you'll get through the legs and call it done, and that's fine too.

YadaSutra's oil comes from a family of Vaidyas who have cared for children for generations, and Dr Parvathy first made it for her own son. Warm a few drops tomorrow morning and begin with the feet. Shop YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to massage a newborn?

Mid-morning, about 45 minutes after a feed, suits most babies. We also recommend early evening if your baby is calmer and more settled then.

Should I massage my baby before or after a bath?

Before. In Kerala tradition, the oil goes on first, and the bath follows 15 to 20 minutes later. We find this rinses off the extra oil gently.

How do I warm the massage oil before applying it?

Rub a few drops of YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil between your palms for ten seconds. Never microwave it, and test the warmth on your wrist.

What's the correct technique for massaging a newborn's tummy?

Wait until the cord has healed. We suggest slow clockwise circles around the navel with your palm, using light pressure, and stopping if your baby tenses.

How long should a newborn massage session last?

Five to ten minutes in the first month. A few drops of YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil are enough to cover your newborn's whole body.

How do I know if my baby doesn't like being massaged?

Crying, arching, turning away or stiffening all mean stop. We suggest trying the next day again, at a calmer time and with lighter strokes.

How often should I massage my newborn each week?

Daily is ideal, so seven times a week. YadaSutra Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil is gentle enough for everyday use on delicate newborn skin.