The Gentle Art of Welcome: The History of Baby Massage & Newborn Traditions in the Middle East
In the heart of Middle Eastern culture lies a deep reverence for new life. Across generations, the arrival of a baby has been honoured with love, protection and sacred ritual. From the soft lull of lullabies to the aromatic embrace of postpartum herbs, the traditions that shape the first forty days after birth in the Middle East are steeped in care, community and connection.
Today, as more parents, doulas and wellness professionals seek holistic, gentle ways to nurture both mother and baby, there is a beautiful return to ancient practices that prioritise tenderness and touch. One such tradition, baby massage, is now being rediscovered and integrated into modern postpartum care in the Middle East. Though its roots lie in India, its benefits are universal, resonating with the values of Middle Eastern families who cherish rest, rhythm and the sacredness of the newborn period.
Traditional Newborn Care in the Middle East
Across countries like Lebanon, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and beyond, newborns have long been welcomed with warmth, ceremony and symbolic care. While traditions vary across cultures and faiths, some common themes remain:
🌿 Nature-Based Rituals & Remedies
New babies are often anointed with natural oils. Olive oil, black seed oil (nigella sativa), or rose water, to cleanse and bless their bodies. These are believed to protect from the evil eye and offer sensory comfort. Ritual bathing, often with herbs like chamomile or lavender, is used to soothe both mother and baby.
👶 Swaddling and Soothing Sounds
Swaddling remains a cherished practice, believed to mimic the womb and ease the transition to life outside. It’s often accompanied by soft Arabic lullabies, whispered prayers, or the gentle hum of a grandmother’s voice.
💛 The Forty-Day Rest Period (Al-Arba’in or Chilla)
The first forty days after birth are traditionally seen as sacred. Mothers are supported to rest, eat healing foods and stay indoors with their baby. Family and community members often provide meals, herbal infusions and support to protect the mother’s energy and honour her transformation.
This period, similar to the Latin American cuarentena or the Indian jaappa, is rooted in the understanding that birth is not just a medical event but a physical, emotional and spiritual rite of passage.
Baby Massage: A Timeless Tradition of Touch
Though not originally from the Middle East, baby massage has ancient roots in Ayurvedic and Indian wellness practices. For over 3,000 years, Indian mothers have lovingly massaged their babies each day using natural oils and rhythmic strokes.
This practice is not only a bonding ritual but also a vital part of supporting a baby’s health and development. It stimulates circulation, aids digestion, supports immunity, encourages deep sleep and promotes emotional security.
Today, many Middle Eastern families are embracing baby massage as part of their postnatal traditions, combining modern research with ancient wisdom.
Why Baby Massage Belongs in Middle Eastern Postpartum Care
As more families in the Middle East explore holistic wellness, gentle parenting and mindful postpartum care, baby massage offers a perfect fusion of ancient practice and contemporary need.
Here’s why it’s so powerful:
✨ Deepens Bonding
Through eye contact, skin-to-skin touch and gentle voice, baby massage nurtures the emotional bond between parent and child, enhancing attachment and emotional regulation.
✨ Supports Postnatal Mental Health
Postpartum depression and anxiety are rising concerns across the globe. The act of massaging a baby releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”) in both parent and baby, creating a ripple of calm and connection.
✨ Honours the Body and Spirit
In Islamic, Christian and other Middle Eastern spiritual traditions, the body is considered sacred. Touch is an act of love and baby massage honours this by nurturing both the physical and energetic body.
✨ Integrates with Traditional Healing
Baby massage can beautifully complement existing cultural practices, whether that’s the use of herbal compresses, postnatal stews and broths, or spiritual blessings.
Bringing Baby Massage to Hospitals, Wellness Centres & Homes in the Middle East
As interest in holistic parenting grows, many wellness professionals, including doulas, midwives, yoga teachers and hospital staff, are now training to offer baby massage as part of their services.
Parents in the Middle East, especially in places like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Beirut, Riyadh and Amman, are increasingly seeking:
- Natural and non-invasive ways to care for their babies
- Postnatal experiences that honour both mother and child
- Supportive, educated professionals who can guide them in these early days
By offering baby massage classes, workshops, or one-to-one sessions, you can give parents the tools to deepen their bond with their baby and support their development, while preserving the cultural sanctity of the postpartum window.
The Future is Gentle: A New Era of Postnatal Care in the Middle East
The beauty of integrating baby massage into Middle Eastern culture is that it doesn’t replace existing traditions, it enhances them.
It invites families to slow down.
To connect.
To trust the power of their own hands, hearts and heritage.
Whether you’re a wellness professional wanting to expand your services, a hospital team looking to offer more holistic care, or a new parent seeking connection and calm, this ancient practice is a powerful invitation back to the essence of care: love, presence and gentle touch.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re based in the Middle East and want to offer baby massage classes as part of your services, or if you’re a new parent looking to learn, you can train with Blossom & Berry, one of the world’s leading organisations for parent and baby wellness.
We’ve trained thousands of teachers globally and are now expanding across the Middle East to share this beautiful, ancient practice with more families and professionals.
👉 Explore our accredited baby massage teacher training today.
👉 Join our growing family of wellness professionals.
👉 Be part of the movement bringing more love and presence into baby care.
Get in touch here if you’d like to learn more.