Traditional infant care and child rearing practices are known to be important determinants of child health. While some practices are known to be beneficial or harmful, for some there is less scientific knowledge. Infant oil massage is highly prevalent traditional practice in India [1] and several developing countries [2]. Recent evidence suggests beneficial effects of topical application of vegetable oils in preterm infants in preventing invasive infections [3]. It is often administered in neonatal intensive care units for improved growth, hypothermia prevention and reduced hospital stay. Massage in term infants seems to improve physical and mental health; however, much remains to be known about this [4]. Although considerable variations exist in practice of infant massage at homes, which may affect potential for gain/harm, massage being a cultural practice is ‘normalized’ and seldom receives professional attention [1].

We recently conducted an e-Delphi study and developed a protocol for massage in healthy infants at homes [5]. The protocol provides a step-by-step guide for home care givers of infants born beyond 37 weeks of gestation. It details aspects such as when should massage be done or not, how to determine that the infant is fit for massage, how to ensure the environment and time is appropriate for massage, who should perform the infant massage, how often should massage be performed, what are the appropriate techniques for infant massage, and what are the recommended substances/appropriate oil for infant massage.

The seventeen experts involved in the three round Delphi study included neonatologists, general pediatricians, develop-mental pediatricians, pediatric occupational therapist, naturo-pathy expert, ayurvedic pediatricians and specialists in Panchakarma (includes massage therapy). The paper not only reports consensus but also non-consensus and stable disagreement that are informative and highlight differences in perspectives [5]. We feel that it would be a useful guide for academicians and clinicians for teaching and patient education, and as a standard protocol for use by researchers.

Acknowledgements: Anil Kale, Aruna Pendse, Ashwini Kulkarni, Deepali Ambike, Madhumita Krishnan, Manoj Gaikwad, Monica Mulay, Murlidhar Prabhudesai, Nilangi Nanal, Neelima Tillu, Pramod Jog, Samina Jamadar, Sandeep Kadam, Sarvesh Kumar Singh, Satyalakshmi Komarajju, Sudhir Malwade for participation in the e-Delphi deliberations. Girish Tillu for design and execution and Bhushan Patwardhan for conceptualization.

1. Chaturvedi S, Randive B, Pathak A, et al. Prevalence and perceptions of infant massage in India: Study from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh states. BMC Pediatr. 2020;20:512.

2. Salam RA, Das JK, Darmstadt GL, Bhutta ZA. Emollient therapy for preterm newborn infants–evidence from the developing world. BMC Public Health. 2013;13: S31.

3. Cleminson J, McGuire W. Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;5:CD001150.

4. Bennett C, Underdown A, Barlow J. Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013:CD005038.

5. Chaturvedi S, Tillu G, Kale A, et al. Protocol for infant massage in home settings: An e-Delphi approach for consensus guidance integrating traditional wisdom with modern medicine. J Trop Pediatr. 2021;67:fmab043.