Category: Nature hugs

The Quiet Magic of Oxytocin in Motherhood

“Sometimes the most powerful moments are the ones that feel the softest.”

When I first became a mother, I didn’t have the words for everything I was feeling

There were moments of deep love that felt almost overwhelming… and moments of exhaustion, uncertainty, and emotional waves I hadn’t expected. It was all so new, so tender, and at times, so intense.

What I didn’t realise then was that my body was already trying to support me in the most beautiful way.

Through something as simple and powerful as oxytocin.

’ve come to think of oxytocin as a quiet kind of magic that lives within us. It shows up in the moments we slow down enough to really feel — when we hold our baby close, when our skin meets theirs, when we gently stroke their tiny arms or kiss their soft cheeks.

It’s in those pauses… those in-between moments… where everything softens.

I remember sitting with my baby in those early days, sometimes unsure of myself, sometimes just watching them breathe. And then I’d place my hands on them — gently, slowly — and something would shift.

Not just in them, but in me.

My shoulders would drop. My breath would deepen. My mind would quiet, even just a little.

That’s oxytocin.

There’s something incredibly reassuring about knowing that connection doesn’t need to be complicated.

We’re often told so many things about what we should be doing as mothers. But in truth, some of the most powerful support comes from simply being close. From touch. From presence.

Every time we hold our baby, feed them, or respond to their cues, our bodies are releasing this hormone that says: you’re safe here.

And not just for our baby — for us, too.

I’ve seen how this plays out in baby massage, again and again.

Mothers come into the space carrying the weight of the outside world — tired, sometimes unsure, often holding so much internally. And then they begin to massage their baby.

Slowly. Gently. With intention.

And you can feel the shift.

The room softens. The babies relax. And the mothers… they begin to soften too.

It’s not about doing the strokes perfectly. It’s about that moment of connection — where nothing else matters except the bond between you and your baby.

That’s where oxytocin lives.

I truly believe that these small moments are what carry us through early motherhood.

Not the big milestones. Not the perfectly planned days.

But the quiet ones.

The ones where you pause, place your hands on your baby, and just be together.

If there’s anything I would gently remind you of, it’s this:

You don’t need to do more.

You don’t need to get it all right.

The way you hold your baby, the way you respond to them, the love you already have — it’s enough.

More than enough.

✨ With love,
Nurture Hugs

What oil is best to use for baby massage?

‘our hands are your baby’s first home—gentle, steady, and filled with love.”

At Nurture Hugs, we believe that touch is one of the first languages of love.

Through slow, intentional infant massage, parents and babies learn to listen to one another—breath to breath, heartbeat to heartbeat, skin to skin. The oil you choose becomes part of this sacred ritual, supporting your baby’s delicate skin while allowing your hands to move with ease and confidence.

With so many options available, it’s natural to wonder which oil is best for your little one. Let me gently guide you through the most commonly used oils for infant massage, what makes each special, and which we lovingly recommend.

When deciding what oil to use, I invite you to take a moment to consider that Oil does more than create ‘glide’—it becomes a bridge between your touch and your baby’s body.

A thoughtfully chosen oil can:

• Protect and nourish delicate skin
• Support the skin’s natural barrier
• Invite calm and relaxation
• Deepen bonding and connection
• Create a sensory experience that feels safe and loving

Because infant skin is still learning how to protect itself, we always encourage keeping things simple, pure, and natural.

Some commonly used oils are:

Coconut Oil – Warmth & Protection

Coconut oil is beloved for its soothing and naturally antimicrobial properties. It absorbs easily and can be especially comforting for babies with dry or flaky skin.

Choose: Virgin, cold-pressed, fragrance-free.

Sunflower Seed Oil – Light & Restorative

Sunflower oil is rich in essential fatty acids that help strengthen the skin barrier. Many newborn care specialists recommend it for regular use because of how gentle and lightweight it feels.

Choose: Cold-pressed and unrefined.

Sweet Almond Oil – Silky & Nourishing

Sweet almond oil offers wonderful glide and is rich in skin-loving vitamins. It’s often used in massage settings for its softness and luxurious feel.

Note: Avoid if nut allergies are a concern and always patch test

Apricot Kernel Oil – Soft & Comforting

A close cousin to almond oil, apricot kernel oil is slightly lighter but still deeply nourishing—perfect for delicate skin.

Jojoba Oil – Balanced & Protective

Jojoba oil closely resembles the body’s natural oils, making it a beautiful option for sensitive babies. It also has a long shelf life, making it practical for families.

Calendula-Infused Oil – Soothing & Healing

Calendula flowers are known for their calming qualities. When infused into a gentle base oil like sunflower, calendula oil can be especially supportive for babies with redness, irritation, or diaper sensitivity.

Grapeseed Oil – Light & Flowing

Grapeseed oil is quick-absorbing and non-greasy, offering easy glide for massage. Look for high-quality, cold-pressed varieties without additives

Olive Oil – Traditional & Rich

Olive oil has been used for generations across cultures. While deeply moisturizing, it may be better for occasional use rather than daily massage on newborn skin.

Mineral or Baby Oil – Simple but Limited

Fragrance-free mineral oils are stable and commonly found, though they sit on the surface of the skin rather than nourishing it the way plant-based oils do.

As we want to keep your baby’s experience gentle and safe, I recommend avoiding:

• Essential oils unless guided by a trained professional
• Fragranced or perfumed products
• Peanut or mustard seed oil
• Highly processed or blended oils

Simplicity is sacred when it comes to infant skin and with this in mind I invite you to try and choose with intention when selecting an oil for your baby, look for:

• One single ingredient
• Cold-pressed and unrefined
• Organic when possible
• Free from fragrance or preservatives

And always begin with a patch test—your baby will tell you what feels right.

If I had to choose just one oil to place into the hands of new parents…

✨ Sunflower Seed Oil is our first choice for everyday infant massage—gentle, restorative, and supportive of the skin barrier.

✨ Virgin Coconut Oil is another beautiful option, especially for dry or sensitive skin.

For babies who need extra comfort, calendula-infused sunflower oil brings a layer of herbal calm to the ritual.

Infant massage is not about perfection.

It is about presence.
It is about slowing your breath, softening your hands, and meeting your baby exactly where they are in that moment. The oil is simply a companion to this sacred exchange—supporting skin, calming nervous systems, and wrapping your family in warmth.

At Nurture Hugs, we are honored to walk beside you in these tender early days—holding space for love, connection, and community to grow.

With love,

Vanessa 🤍