Last updated on July 12th, 2024 at 02:34 pm
Learn 5 awesome benefits of performing baby massage on your infant twins, including gas relief, better sleep, baby weight gain, and bonding time. Sponsored by Dr. Brown’s.
The dermatologist-tested Dr. Brown’s™ Natural Baby Lightweight Lotion (buy now) quickly absorbs and moisturizes without the heavy or oily mess. Featuring the exclusive Dr. Brown’s™ Skin Soothing Solution, a hydrating, plant-based infusion only found in Dr. Brown’s Natural Baby Skin Care Line.
- Soothing sweet almond oil works together with other natural ingredients to protect and nourish
- Gentle daily baby lotion is free from petroleum jelly, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, and is cruelty free
- Use after bath time as part of your baby’s bedtime ritual
- Available in 9 fl oz/265 ml bottle
A dose of diaper cream today helps keep the rash away! Dr. Brown’s™ Natural Baby Diaper Cream (buy now) is designed to protect against diaper rash. Featuring the exclusive Dr. Brown’s™ Skin Soothing Solution, a hydrating, plant-based infusion only found in Dr. Brown’s Natural Baby Skin Care Line.
- Creates a protective barrier on baby’s skin. Apply daily for diaper rash prevention.
- Anti-inflammatory witch hazel works together with other natural ingredients calm, refresh, and moisturize sensitive diaper area
- Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, contains no petroleum jelly, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates and is cruelty free
- Available in a 3 fl oz/90 mL bottle
Soothe baby’s dry, chapped and irritated skin with Dr. Brown’s™ Natural Baby Vitamin Cream (buy now). Featuring the exclusive Dr. Brown’s™ Skin Soothing Solution, a hydrating, plant-based infusion only found in Dr. Brown’s Natural Baby Skin Care Line.
- Dermatologist-tested baby cream uses healthy nutrients to relieve common baby skin irritations and nourish extra-sensitive skin
- Rich cocoa butter and gentle coconut oil work together with other natural ingredients to calm and refresh
- Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, contains no petroleum jelly, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates and is cruelty free
- Available in a 2 oz/55 g jar
The Benefits of Baby Massage
There are so many amazing benefits to introducing baby massage into your twins’ daily routine. It’s the perfect activity to plan between tummy time and naptime. So grab your favorite bottle of baby lotion and let’s get ready for a spa day (sadly, just for your twinnies.)
Latest Twiniversity Articles
Baby Massage Makes for Better Sleep
I’ve never heard of a twin parent who wouldn’t do anything possible to get their babies to sleep more! Did you know that baby massage can help your twins to sleep better? Baby massage stimulates melatonin production and lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Baby massage helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer because melatonin’s job is to regulate sleep cycles.
Baby Massage Can Help Mature a Premature Nervous System
Many studies have shown that human touch lowers blood pressure and reduces stress in adults and babies. Here’s even better news: one study found evidence that massage therapy on premature babies can be life-saving. In this study, massaged babies showed improved HRV (heart rate variability)—which measures the function of the nervous system—every week. The study concluded baby massage promotes the maturation of preemies’ immature nervous systems thanks to markedly reduced stress. Many twins are born premature, making baby massage an even more beneficial practice when you have twins.
Baby Massage Promotes Baby Weight Gain
Many studies connect baby massage with baby weight gain. This study found that preemies (with a mean gestation age of 31 weeks) who received baby massage gained 47% more weight than premature babies who did not receive baby massage. The premature infants who received massage also were, “more active and alert during sleep/wake behavior observations, and showed more mature habituation, orientation, motor, and range of state behavior on the Brazelton scale than control infants.” In addition, their hospital stay was 6 days shorter, yielding a cost savings of approximately $3,000 per infant. Those are wins all around!
Baby Massage Relieves Gas and Constipation
Babies can’t burp on their own due to an underdeveloped sphincter muscle in their esophagus. Gas builds up in their system, causing discomfort in their tummies, and baby massage helps relieve that pressure. To promote good digestion, gently knead your fingers under your baby’s rib in a clockwise motion. Another classic trick to relieve baby gas is to do “bicycle legs“, rotating your baby’s legs like they are riding a bicycle, which puts gentle pressure on their tummies to help relieve gas.
Baby Massage Allows You More 1-On-1 Bonding Time
Research suggests baby massage is helpful for moms with postpartum depression and/or parents who have difficulty bonding with their babies. Also, studies show that baby’s bond is reinforced through skin-to-skin contact and eye contact. Performing baby massage will help you to feel more connected to your twins as individuals.
Guidelines and Safety Tips for Baby Massage
- Only massage each baby for 5-10 minutes
- Stop massaging if your baby shows signs she’s had enough, like crying, squirming, or falling asleep
- Avoid massaging your baby’s head as the soft spot is still closing
- Don’t massage your baby’s neck — it’s a little too delicate
- Don’t give your baby a deep massage. Babies are not ready for that intensity. Keep it nice and gentle.
- Avoid massage oil or lotion on your baby’s face
- Avoid massage oil or lotion with artificial dyes, artificial perfumes, parabens, PEG, or EDTA
It’s difficult to find time to connect with each baby alone when you’re dealing with the day to day stress of managing twins. Let baby massage be a time where you can take a breath, relax, and focus on your babies one at a time.
