Massaging newborns and toddlers is a widely-practiced tradition in India. When a baby is a few days old, the masseuse dips a small ball of dough in almond oil and rubs it on the baby's body. Massage with hands starts when the baby is a month old.

Much research has been carried out on the benefits of massage, especially on premature babies. Preemies who were massaged while in the hospital, gained weight quicker, performed better on neonatal tests and were able to leave the hospital 4-5 days sooner than babies that did not receive massages.

During the first few months of their lives, babies thrive on touch and physical contact. Massage stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems, strengthens the nervous system and aids neurological development, helps with muscle tone and relaxes the baby.

For parents, massage is a great opportunity to create trust with your little one, learn about and become aware of your baby's cues, and build confidence as a parent.