Oil massage is routinely practiced in many countries. For hundreds of years, populations especially in the Indian subcontinent have routinely applied natural oils to the skin of newborn. There are several oils used for baby massage. Among commonly used oils are coconut oil, sesame oil, almond oil, mustard oil, ghee, olive oil and safflower oil.

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCT). It has been depicted to help in weight gain in premature babies. In a well designed study, three groups viz coconut oil, mineral oil and placebo were compared in infants 1.5-2 kg who received massage therapy 4 times a day for duration of first month. Infants who received coconut oil massage showed a better weight gain velocity as compared to mineral. In another study, infants massaged with sesame oil (til oil) showed greater improvement in growth as compared to mustard and mineral oil (2). A study of four different oils (herbal, mustard, sesame, and mineral) compared with a non-treated control group demonstrated that sesame oil improved sleep patterns and growth in 2-month-old infants (3).

Mustard oil massage of newborns is an integral component of traditional care practices in many communities. Recent evidence suggests that this practice may have detrimental effects, particularly for preterm infants or for those whose skin barrier function is otherwise sub-optimal. (4)

Sunflower seed oil is not often thought of as useful for massage, and is rarely used in this way, largely due to the more widespread availability of mustard oil. It is less greasy but does not have very nice smell or taste. Among preterm infants in Egypt, risk of invasive nosocomial infection was reduced by 48 per cent in infants who received oil massage with sunflower seed oil compared with controls. (4)

Olive oil is used in Western countries. However its role in baby massage is still not known.

In general, avoid using oils which are meant for adult use or adult massage. Also avoid using oils with strong scents.