Infant Massage: What It Is, Why It Works, and Why I Teach It to Every Family I Can
Infant massage is one of those things that sounds like a nice-to-have — a sweet bonding activity for parents who have the time and energy for extras. But in my practice, I think of it as a foundational tool. One that supports your baby's nervous system, their digestion, their body awareness, and your relationship with them all at once.
I'm Dr. Brita, a pediatric physical therapist and the founder of Progress Through Play. I, along with my amazing team, work with babies from birth through walking, and whether we're addressing torticollis, tummy time struggles, feeding challenges, or just helping parents understand their baby's development - touch is almost always part of what we teach.
Here's what I want you to know about it.
What's actually happening when you massage your baby
Touch is your baby's most developed sense at birth. Before they can track your face or reach for a toy, they are already wired to receive and respond to physical input. When you massage your baby with slow, intentional strokes, you're doing something really meaningful - you're activating their sensory system, supporting circulation, stimulating the vagus nerve, and helping regulate the stress response.
From a PT perspective, consistent touch also helps babies build proprioception, or their sense of where their body is in space. That might sound abstract, but it's foundational for every motor milestone ahead: rolling, sitting, crawling, walking. The babies who feel comfortable and organized in their bodies are the ones who move well. And massage is one of the earliest ways we can start building that.
The benefits (and why they're more than just "bonding")
Yes, infant massage builds connection. But I want parents to know how much else it's doing, because when you understand the why behind something, you actually do it!
It genuinely helps with gas, colic, and constipation
This is the number one reason parents reach out to me asking about massage. Colicky babies are exhausting, and the helplessness of not being able to soothe your own baby is really hard. Specific abdominal massage strokes, including one we call the "I Love You" stroke, can help move gas through the system and calm an irritated gut. It's one of the most immediately useful things I teach.
It supports better sleep
Massage before bed promotes melatonin release and lowers cortisol. It signals to your baby's nervous system that it's time to wind down. A lot of families build a short massage into their evening routine and notice a real difference in how their baby settles. And if you're a sleep-deprived parent reading this at 2am…yes, this is for you.
It helps babies feel organized in their bodies
This is where my PT brain really comes in. Babies with torticollis, body tension, or sensory sensitivities can have a hard time tolerating touch and movement. Strategic massage techniques can be a gentle, powerful way to start shifting that. Even for babies without any clinical concerns, massage builds the kind of body awareness that supports every motor milestone ahead.
It's really helpful for babies with a tough start
Research on touch therapy for preterm infants shows better weight gain, more stable vital signs, and earlier discharge from the NICU. For families who've been through a complicated beginning such as a NICU stay, feeding struggles, or a traumatic birth, learning to touch your baby confidently can be genuinely healing. Moving from anxious, hands-off vigilance to engaged, connected caregiving is a big shift, and massage can be part of what gets you there.
It helps you feel like you know what you're doing
New parenthood involves a lot of not knowing. Infant massage is something you can actually learn, practice, and get good at. And when your baby responds - when they relax under your hands and lean into you - that moment of "I know how to do this" matters more than it sounds. Parents who feel competent are more attuned parents. It really ripples.
A few tips if you want to start at home
You don't need much, just a calm baby, a few minutes, and a little bit of baby-safe oil. Here's where I'd start:
Timing matters. Aim for after a warm bath, or any calm, awake stretch. Not when your baby is hungry, overtired, or already fussy.
Ask permission first. Put some oil on your hands and hold them near your baby before you begin. Watch for green lights: eye contact, open body, reaching toward you. Turning away or arching back means not right now — and that's okay.
Start with the legs. Babies tend to be least sensitive there. Long, slow strokes from hip to foot are a great starting point.
Go slower and firmer than you think. Light, ticklish touch is actually stimulating, not calming. Think warm, intentional pressure — like you're smoothing something out.
Keep it short. Five minutes counts. Ten is plenty. You're building a habit and a relationship, not completing a protocol.
Come learn it in person — infant massage classes at Progress Through Play!
Reading about infant massage is a good start, but there's something so different about learning it with your actual baby in your arms. Seeing how they respond in real time, getting feedback on your technique, understanding what their cues mean.
We are so excited to be offering infant massage classes at both of our north denver and south denver clinics (The Highlands and Greenwood Village). Our expert physical therapists will walk you through a full sequence — legs, feet, belly, back, face — and explain the developmental "why" behind each stroke. Because we’re PTs, we can also speak to what we notice in the room: a positional preference, signs of body tension, questions about development. It tends to feel like part class, part mini consultation, and parents always leave with a lot.
What you'll learn
A full-body massage sequence with context for each stroke
Abdominal techniques for colic, gas, and constipation
A calming wind-down sequence you can use as part of your bedtime routine
How to read your baby's cues so you always know when to keep going and when to pause
Movement and positioning tips from a PT perspective
Details
📍 Progress Through Play — Greenwood Village and The Highlands
👶 Great for pre-crawling babies
⏱ Duration: 1 hour
📅 Upcoming dates: March 20th
💲 35
Small group — you'll get real, personalized attention
Spots are limited and we keep classes small on purpose. Grab your spot at the link below!