Maalish: traditional newborn oil massage

Newborn · Baby care · Reviewed 12 June 2026 · All articles

Maalish: traditional newborn oil massage

If you grew up in an Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi household, or if you are raising your baby alongside family members from South Asia, the daily oil massage known as maalish (also spelled malish) is probably not a new idea. For generations it has been among the first things done for a newborn: warm hands, a little oil, and a careful, loving rub from head to foot before the morning bath. This article explains the cultural roots of maalish, what the evidence says about its benefits, how to choose the right oil, and how to do it safely, whether you are at home in Delhi or doing it in a cold-climate flat in London, Toronto or Melbourne.

What maalish is and its cultural roots

Maalish is the traditional South Asian practice of giving babies a daily full-body oil massage, typically beginning in the first days or weeks of life. The word comes from the Hindi and Urdu verb meaning "to massage" or "to rub", and the practice is deeply embedded in family life across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as in diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and beyond.

In many families the massage is carried out by the baby's grandmother, an elder aunt, or a dai (a traditional birth attendant), who passes the technique on through demonstration rather than instruction. The massage is usually done in the morning, before the baby is bathed, and can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on how settled the baby is. The whole body is covered: legs, feet, arms, hands, back, chest and, with the gentlest of touches, the abdomen.

The ritual around maalish varies by region. In South India, coconut oil is the dominant choice. In North India and Pakistan, mustard oil warmed in the sun or on a stove is traditional. Sesame oil is popular in many parts of the subcontinent. What unites every version of the practice is the idea that regular touch, warmth and oil work together to strengthen the baby, improve sleep and deepen the bond between caregiver and child.

Maalish is not unique to South Asia in principle. Many cultures worldwide have traditions of infant massage. What makes maalish distinctive is its daily frequency, its integration with the pre-bath routine, and the multigenerational knowledge that typically carries it forward.

What the evidence says about baby massage benefits

Research into infant massage has grown substantially over the past three decades, and the findings broadly support what generations of South Asian families have observed in practice.

The World Health Organization, in its guidance on essential newborn care, highlights the importance of skin-to-skin contact and warm, responsive touch for newborn wellbeing. Separately, evidence cited in WHO and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) literature on preterm and low-birth-weight infants indicates that massage can support improved weight gain in babies who need additional help growing in the early weeks. This effect is most clearly documented in premature babies: structured touch and massage programmes have been associated with better daily weight gain and shorter hospital stays in this group.

For healthy, full-term babies the weight gain benefit is less pronounced, but other effects are well supported. The NHS acknowledges that baby massage can help babies relax and sleep. The physiological explanation is that gentle, repetitive touch activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for rest and calm, and may reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Parents who massage their babies regularly also tend to report feeling more confident in reading their baby's cues, which strengthens the overall caregiving relationship.

There is also evidence that massage may help reduce symptoms associated with infant colic, though the evidence here is more mixed and massage should not be treated as a treatment for colic without speaking to a health professional first.

Bonding is perhaps the most consistently cited benefit. The combination of eye contact, calm voices and physical touch during a maalish session creates the kind of responsive, attuned interaction that is foundational to secure attachment.

Choosing the right oil

Oil choice is one of the most discussed aspects of maalish, and the options each come with different evidence bases and cultural histories.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is widely considered the safest option for baby massage across most skin types. It is mild, absorbs relatively well, has a gentle scent, and is unlikely to irritate healthy newborn skin. It is also widely available in refined (unscented) form. For babies with no known skin conditions, coconut oil is a reasonable first choice that many dermatologists and health visitors are comfortable recommending.

Sesame oil

Sesame oil has a long history in Ayurvedic practice and is considered a warming oil, making it particularly popular in cooler regions or seasons. It is generally safe for use on healthy newborn skin. Sesame oil contains antioxidants and has been used in formal infant massage research studies without documented harm in healthy babies.

Mustard oil

Mustard oil is the traditional oil of choice across large parts of North India and Pakistan. It has a distinctive pungent scent and a warming quality that makes it feel well suited to cold mornings. However, some laboratory and clinical research has raised questions about its effect on the skin barrier. Studies suggest that erucic acid, a fatty acid present in mustard oil, may disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier when used over large areas, particularly on very delicate or broken skin. This does not mean mustard oil is uniformly harmful, and millions of babies have been massaged with it without adverse effects. It does mean that mustard oil is best avoided on any broken skin, rashes, or areas of inflammation, and that families with a history of infant eczema may prefer to choose an alternative.

What to avoid

Whatever oil you use, apply a small test amount to a small patch of your baby's skin and wait 24 hours before using it more widely. This simple patch test can help you spot any sensitivity before it becomes a problem.

How to do maalish safely

The technique for maalish does not need to be complicated. What matters is a warm, calm environment, gentle pressure, and close attention to your baby's responses.

Prepare the space

The massage itself

  1. Legs first. Begin with the legs. This is usually the least intrusive starting point for a baby. Use long, smooth strokes from the thigh down to the foot. Gently rotate the foot and flex the ankle. Many babies find leg massage the most settling part of the routine.
  2. Feet and toes. Use your thumb to make small circles on the sole of the foot. Gently stroke each toe. Avoid pulling or tugging.
  3. Arms and hands. Move to the arms. Use the same long strokes from shoulder to wrist. Open the hand gently and stroke the palm. Newborns keep their hands in fists much of the time, so a soft, patient approach to opening the hand works better than forcing it.
  4. Chest and abdomen. Place both hands flat on the chest and stroke outward toward the shoulders. For the abdomen, use clockwise circular strokes, following the natural direction of digestion. Keep the pressure light on the tummy: firm enough to be felt but gentle enough to be comfortable.
  5. Back. Turn your baby gently onto their front, either on the surface in front of you or across your lap. Use long upward and downward strokes along the back. Keep their head turned to one side so they can breathe comfortably. Avoid pressing on the spine itself.
  6. Avoid the face. Traditional maalish focuses on the body. Keep oil away from the face entirely, and especially away from the eyes, nose and mouth.

What to keep in mind throughout

When to avoid or stop maalish

Maalish is a gentle practice but there are times when it is better to pause or seek advice first.

Adapting maalish for diaspora families in colder climates

One of the most common challenges for South Asian families outside the subcontinent is doing maalish in a home that is simply colder than the environment the practice was designed for. In India, a morning massage might happen in a warm courtyard or a sun-warmed room. In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or the United States, that same morning can be cold, the heating might not be on, and the bathroom floor is the opposite of warm.

The good news is that maalish adapts well with a few adjustments.

Grandmothers and older relatives visiting from South Asia often bring their own deeply ingrained maalish techniques, which can feel intense by the standards of NHS baby massage guidance. There is no need to replicate the exact vigour of a traditional maalish if your baby is showing signs of discomfort. The spirit of the practice, warm touch, responsive attention and daily connection, is more important than any specific technique.

Frequently asked questions

What is maalish?

Maalish (also spelled malish) is the traditional South Asian practice of giving babies a daily full-body oil massage, typically beginning in the first few weeks after birth. It is nearly universal in Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi families and is practised by diaspora communities worldwide. The massage is usually done before the bath, using a warmed oil such as coconut, sesame or mustard oil, and covers the limbs, back and abdomen.

Which oil is best for Indian baby massage?

Coconut oil is widely regarded as a safe choice for most babies: it is mild, absorbs well and is less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Sesame oil is another traditional option that is considered safe and suitable for warming in cooler climates. Mustard oil has a long history of use in North India but some evidence suggests it can irritate the skin barrier, particularly on broken or very delicate skin, so use it cautiously. Avoid olive oil if your baby has dry or eczema-prone skin, as research suggests it can worsen the skin barrier. Always avoid perfumed oils, mineral oils and talcum powder near babies.

How old should a baby be before starting maalish?

Many families begin maalish from the first week or two of life, and this is traditional practice across South Asia. For healthy, full-term newborns, gentle massage is considered safe from birth. If your baby was born prematurely or has any skin condition, speak with your health visitor or doctor before starting, as premature babies may need specialised guidance on touch and handling.

How long should a baby massage take?

There is no fixed rule. Most maalish sessions last between 10 and 20 minutes for a newborn. The important thing is to follow your baby's cues rather than a set time. If your baby is calm and engaged, you can continue; if they show signs of distress such as crying, stiffening or turning away, stop and try again at another time.

Is mustard oil safe for baby massage?

Mustard oil has been used for baby massage for generations in North India and parts of South Asia, and many families continue to use it safely. However, some research suggests that mustard oil can disrupt the skin barrier, particularly when used on broken or very sensitive skin. It should not be used on rashes, wounds or inflamed skin. If you have any concerns, coconut or sesame oil are considered safer alternatives by most health professionals.

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