Brief Answer:
Massage helps.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

There are two parts in a baby massage - oil and massage. Now contrary to popular belief, oil does not get absorbed by the skin and does not provide nutrition to the skin and superficial structures; all it does is to keep the skin shiny. But the other part i,e. massage is important. There is something called tactile stimulation or stimulation by touch that definitely benefits the child. In other words, it is touch therapy where you run your hand all over the body surface of the baby in a sequential manner and that is proven to help. Massage does a similar thing and hence can be considered beneficial. But it does not necessarily have to be with oil. You can use oil if you think it helps but in reality it can be done equally well without oil.

Hope that clarifies. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
it is a matter of overall development. It is a sum of multiple factors.

Detailed Answer:
Breast milk is the best feed for a baby that helps him/her to grow. It has to be backed up with adequate stimulation. There are various types of stimulation. Tactile stimulation is the one that I have already mentioned. The others include continuous interaction/talking to the baby. The baby picks up and keeps developing all through, in terms of vision, hearing, language and speech. It is not only gaining in weight that is to be factored in.

Regards

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