Cold Pressed Oils for Babies: Which Are Safe and How to Use Them

Baby massage is one of the most well-researched childcare practices in the world. Multiple systematic reviews have confirmed that regular massage improves weight gain, sleep quality, neurodevelopment, and parent-infant bonding. In India, this practice has been standard for generations — and cold pressed oils have always been the medium.

But not all oils are appropriate for all babies, and the guidance has evolved as research has accumulated. Here's the current evidence-based picture.

The Research on Baby Massage

A 2013 Cochrane Review of 34 randomised controlled trials found that massage therapy for preterm and low-birth-weight infants was associated with:

• Greater daily weight gain (5.1g per day on average)
• Shorter hospital stays
• Improved neurodevelopmental outcomes

For term infants, the evidence is less dramatic but still positive: improved sleep, reduced colic symptoms, and enhanced parent-infant attachment.

The oil used in the massage matters — both for the massage's effectiveness and for the baby's skin health.

Which Oils Are Safe for Babies

Cold Pressed Mustard Oil: Traditional but Nuanced

Cold pressed mustard oil is the most widely used baby massage oil in North India. The research on its safety and efficacy is mixed:

Evidence for: A 2000 study in the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics found that mustard oil massage improved weight gain and skin barrier function in preterm infants compared to mineral oil and no-oil massage.

Evidence against: A 2012 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that mustard oil disrupted the skin barrier in newborn mice, potentially increasing skin permeability. A 2012 human study found that mustard oil massage was associated with increased transepidermal water loss compared to sunflower oil.

Current guidance: The evidence is conflicting. Most Indian paediatricians continue to consider mustard oil safe for baby massage, particularly for infants over 1 month old. The warming effect is beneficial in cold climates. Avoid on the face and on broken or irritated skin.

Recommendation: Safe for babies over 1 month in North Indian climates. Use warm (not hot) oil. Avoid the face. Do a patch test first.

Cold Pressed Coconut Oil: Best Evidence for Skin Health

Cold pressed coconut oil has the strongest evidence base for infant skin care:

• A 2020 study in the Pediatric Dermatology journal found that coconut oil significantly improved skin barrier function in preterm infants compared to mineral oil
• Lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that protect against skin infections
• Coconut oil's low comedogenic rating (4) means it's less likely to clog pores than some other oils

Recommendation: Excellent choice for baby massage, particularly for skin health and in warm climates. Safe from birth.

Cold Pressed Sesame Oil: Good for Older Infants

Cold pressed sesame oil has been used in South Indian baby massage for centuries. It's lighter than mustard oil and has a milder smell.

Evidence: A 2011 study found sesame oil massage improved weight gain in preterm infants. The sesamin content provides anti-inflammatory benefits.

Recommendation: Safe for babies over 1 month. Good choice for South Indian families following traditional practice.

Oils to Avoid for Babies

Refined oils of any type: The refining process removes the beneficial compounds that make cold pressed oils effective for skin care. Refined oils also contain trace amounts of processing chemicals.

Olive oil: Despite its popularity in Western baby care, a 2013 study found that olive oil damaged the skin barrier in newborns and increased the risk of atopic dermatitis. Not recommended for Indian babies.

Mineral oil: Derived from petroleum. Provides no nutritional benefit to skin. Not recommended.

Essential oils: Never use undiluted essential oils on babies. Even diluted, many essential oils are inappropriate for infants under 3 months.

How to Massage a Baby

Preparation

• Warm the oil to body temperature (test on your wrist)
• Choose a warm room (babies lose heat quickly)
• Wait at least 30 minutes after feeding
• Use a soft surface — a folded blanket or towel on the floor

Technique

Legs and feet (start here — least sensitive area):

• Long strokes from hip to ankle
• Gentle circular motions on the knee
• Thumb circles on the sole of the foot
• Gentle toe stretches

Abdomen:

• Clockwise circular motions (following the direction of digestion)
• "I Love You" stroke: I (down the left side), L (across and down), U (up the right side, across, down the left)
• Avoid the umbilical cord area until it has healed

Chest:

• Open-book stroke: hands flat on the chest, stroke outward to the sides
• Gentle circular motions

Arms and hands:

• Long strokes from shoulder to wrist
• Gentle circular motions on the elbow
• Thumb circles on the palm

Back:

• Long strokes from neck to buttocks
• Circular motions on either side of the spine (not on the spine itself)

Head and face (optional, use very little oil):

• Gentle circular motions on the scalp
• Avoid the fontanelle (soft spot)
• Stroke from the centre of the forehead outward

Duration and Frequency

• Newborns (0–4 weeks): 5–10 minutes, 1–2 times daily
• Infants (1–6 months): 10–15 minutes, once daily
• Older infants (6–12 months): 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times weekly

After the Massage

Leave the oil on for 20–30 minutes before bathing. The absorption time is important — the beneficial compounds need time to penetrate the skin.

Special Situations

Premature babies: Consult your neonatologist before starting massage. Cold pressed coconut oil is generally considered the safest choice for preterm infants.

Babies with eczema or sensitive skin: Cold pressed coconut oil is the safest choice. Avoid mustard oil on inflamed or broken skin.

Jaundice: Traditional practice includes sun exposure after mustard oil massage for jaundiced newborns. While sun exposure does help with jaundice, the oil's role is unclear. Follow your paediatrician's guidance on phototherapy.

Cradle cap: Gentle massage with cold pressed coconut oil can help loosen cradle cap scales. Apply, leave for 20 minutes, then gently brush with a soft baby brush before bathing.

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Dune Aura cold pressed mustard oil and coconut oil are available from ₹150 for 500ml. Pure extraction, no additives.

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Order in Gurugram and Delhi NCR

If you are looking for cold pressed mustard oil for your kitchen, Dune Aura offers local ordering options for readers in Gurugram and the wider Delhi NCR region. Explore cold pressed mustard oil in Gurugram and cold pressed mustard oil across Delhi NCR to compare availability and choose the right option for your household.