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Getting consistent, quality sleep is crucial to a person's overall health and well-being. Prioritizing sleep, improving sleep habits, and embracing healthy sleep practices can have a significant impact on one's physical and mental health.
Sleep hygiene, or the healthy sleep habits that promote restful sleep, can pave the way to waking up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
When you have newborn twins, bright eyes and bushy tails tend to fall by the wayside after endless nights with multiple wake-ups, difficult lay-downs, cluster feedings, and a whirlwind of diaper changes.
Sometimes, as a parent, it can feel like you're running on fumes and like there's no time nor energy for anything, especially not focusing on how to improve someone's sleep hygiene.
The interesting thing is it doesn't have to take very much time, or effort, at all.
How baby massage can improve sleep hygiene
We spoke with Elina Furman, a certified infant massage instructor with over 15 years' experience in the baby products industry, to learn more about how incorporating baby massage into your twins' bedtime routine can improve their sleep hygiene.
Her recently released book, 101 Baby Hacks, offers natural solutions such as baby massage and other science-backed wellness hacks to address nearly every ailment and issue our babies experience, from colds, gas, constipation, and colic, to fussiness, teething pain, restless sleep, and more.
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101 Baby Hacks by Elina Furman
Quick & Easy Solutions for Almost Any Baby Issue
This is 101 Baby Hacks: Infant Massage & Natural Solutions to Help with Sleep, Colic, Gas, Teething, Congestion & More by Elina Furman. With a foreword by Manasa Mantravadi MD, this book is a helpful resource for parents, with easy, natural and quick solutions for almost any baby issue.
"Baby massage has so many incredible benefits for both babies and their caregivers. For babies, the physical benefits are profound. Massage stimulates the nervous system, promotes circulation, and supports healthy muscle and joint development. It can also help with common issues like colic, constipation, and gas by soothing the digestive system," says Furman.
Massage stimulates the nervous system, promotes circulation, and supports healthy muscle and joint development. It can also help with common issues like colic, constipation, and gas by soothing the digestive system.
Beyond the physical benefits, massage is a bonding experience, she adds.
"It nurtures a deep emotional connection between parent and child, which is essential for a baby's sense of security and emotional development. This closeness releases oxytocin (the 'love hormone') in both the parent and baby, fostering feelings of relaxation and love," she says.
A way to bond with your babies
For parents, baby massage can help you connect with your baby and better understand their nonverbal cues. It can even reduce stress and lower cortisol levels for parents, Furman elaborates, making it a calming ritual for everyone involved.
"When you incorporate massage into your baby's bedtime routine, it acts as a signal for their body to begin winding down. The soothing touch stimulates the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep, while simultaneously reducing cortisol, which is associated with stress."
Massage also helps regulate a baby's circadian rhythms, particularly when paired with a consistent evening ritual. The physical relaxation from massage relieves tension in their body, which is especially important for babies, who may be overstimulated or uncomfortable due to developmental milestones, like teething or growth spurts.
Further, the secure bond created during massage makes babies feel calm and safe, says Furman.
"When babies feel emotionally secure, they tend to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer," she says.
A way to comfort your littles
Furman is the inventor of Kahlmi, the first bonding and massage tool for babies / children using Acu-touch technology and gentle, low frequency vibration to help families connect, calm, and comfort their little ones.
The groundbreaking, award-winning baby massager and soother was designed to make the incredible benefits of infant massage accessible and easy for parents to integrate into their daily routines.
It's the first product of its kind to combine the ancient practice of baby massage with modern technology, Furman says, offering soothing vibrations to enhance the experience for both babies and their caregivers.
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Kahlmi Baby Massager
Baby Massager Designed to Aid Sleep
This is Kahlmi, the world's first baby massager. Intended to aid your babies' sleep, it has an ergonomic and award-winning design that features interchangeable massage heads. It helps lull your little ones to sleep by easing constipation and offering relief for gas and colic. Made with edible-grade silicone, this soothing device has been approved by pediatric experts for use on newborns, infants, and toddlers.
"As a certified infant massage instructor and a mom, I've seen, first-hand, how transformative touch can be for babies and families. But I also know that life as a parent is busy, and not everyone has the time or confidence to commit to a lengthy massage routine," she says.
"I wanted to create a tool that would simplify the process, while still delivering all the amazing benefits of massage."
How soon can you incorporate baby massage into your routine?
Baby massage can begin fairly soon after your babies are born. The techniques you use can be tailored to meet your babies' specific needs, whether they're dealing with gas or teething discomfort or simply need help calming down. As babies grow, their needs change, and the techniques can adapt accordingly.
You can begin incorporating gentle massage into your baby's routine as early as the newborn stage, within the first few days, says Furman.
"At this age, your babies are already accustomed to touch from being held and swaddled, so massage is a natural extension of that comforting connection," she says. "Many of the baby massage studies focus on preemies, so it's a wonderful practice to start at birth."
Incorporating baby massage when you have twins is possible, even if there's just one caregiver on duty at any given time. It just requires a little creativity and flexibility.
Massaging your twin babies is not just about the physical benefits... It's also about creating a shared moment of connection.
Massaging your twin babies is not just about the physical benefits, Furman explains. It's also about creating a shared moment of connection.
"Babies are highly intuitive, and even small gestures—like talking to or stroking the non-massaged baby—can help them feel loved and included," she says.
Start by massaging one baby, while the other is nearby on a safe surface, like a play mat or in their crib. You can talk, sing, or make eye contact with the baby who isn't being massaged to keep them engaged and feeling included. After a few minutes, switch to the second baby, giving them the same focused attention.
"The Kahlmi baby massager can be a lifesaver in this situation. While you're using your hands to massage one twin, you can place the massager on the other to provide soothing vibrations," says Furman. "This way, both babies get a calming experience at the same time."
If both babies are calm and lying close together, you can perform synchronized strokes with each hand, one on each baby. You can use one hand to gently stroke one baby's tummy, while using your other hand to massage your other baby's legs.
"You don't have to do a full massage for each baby every time. Focus on a few key areas, like the tummy, back, or feet, and alternate daily which baby gets a longer session," says Furman.
"If one baby is fussier or in need of more attention, start with them while the calmer twin has a little independent time. You can rotate who goes first based on their needs each night."
If you really run into issues, you can try using the card you didn't know you had up your sleeve. There are 52 of them, actually, in Kalmi's specially designed deck of Mama Mantras and baby massage techniques to calm and comfort your little ones.
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Kahlmi Baby Massage Cards
Mama Mantras & Comforting Techniques
This is a 52-card deck of cards to use with the Kahlmi baby massager. The benefits of massage are outlined on the cards, and the deck includes 52 massage strokes to nurture and help your babies feel better naturally. The cards are also color-coded based on the different health benefits the technique addresses.
If you're short on time during your usual routine, Furman suggests focusing on one baby one night for a longer massage and then switching it up on the next night. You can still give both babies quick attention during each session to keep the routine consistent.
The benefits of baby massage
Baby massage can be beneficial before both bedtime and naptime, but it's especially powerful before overnight sleep because it helps signal to your baby that it's time to wind down for the night.
"Baby massage stimulates the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and reduces cortisol, which helps ease your baby into a restful state. When paired with a consistent bedtime routine—like a bath, a massage, and a book—it can dramatically improve your baby's sleep quality and duration," says Furman.
If you choose to incorporate a massage before your twins' naptime, it can be helpful, she adds, but it's best to keep it short. Focusing quickly on just the back, feet, or tummy can help calm a fussy baby or prepare them for a peaceful nap.
The best time to do a baby massage is 15 to 30 minutes before you lay your babies down. Be sure to make it an integral part of their bedtime routine.
"Massage helps your baby transition from an active state to a calm, relaxed one. Giving the massage a little time to work its magic allows their body to fully wind down," says Furman. "If you do it right before laying them down, your baby might still be transitioning and not fully ready to settle."
The environment can enhance the effectiveness
When it's time to wind down, the atmosphere—from lighting, to temperature, to sound—that you have set up for your twins is crucial.
"The sleep environment can play a significant role in how effective the massage is at helping your baby relax and prepare for sleep," says Furman. "A calm, soothing atmosphere enhances the benefits of massage by creating the right conditions for your baby to fully unwind."
Dim, soft lighting mimics the natural transition from day to night, signaling to your babies' bodies that it's time to wind down.
Dim, soft lighting mimics the natural transition from day to night, she adds, signaling to your babies' bodies that it's time to wind down. When it's time to start the bedtime routine, try to avoid bright or harsh lights, as they can be overstimulating.
You'll also want the room in which they're sleeping to be at a comfortable temperature, somewhere around 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C).
"Babies can be sensitive to being too hot or cold, so keeping the environment cozy helps them relax during and after the massage," says Furman.
As much as lighting and temperature affect sleep readiness, a quiet environment or white noise can make a big difference.
"White noise not only drowns out household sounds," says Furman, "it also creates a consistent, calming background that pairs beautifully with the soothing effects of massage.
Dealing with late-night wake-ups
Baby massage can be an effective way to get your twins to sleep, but what if they wake up overnight?
If they aren't hungry or needing a feed, baby massage can be a great way to help your babies get back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night, especially if discomfort (say, from teething) is the cause.
"Massage helps relax their muscles, soothe discomfort, and signal to their body that it's time to settle back down," says Furman. "It's especially effective when your baby is not waking from hunger but from teething, gas, or mild discomfort.
...baby massage isn't a replacement for feeding or addressing other pressing needs but is a gentle way to help your babies transition back to sleep.
Furman stresses that baby massage isn't a replacement for feeding or addressing other pressing needs but is a gentle way to help your babies transition back to sleep.
If you have to go into your babies' room overnight for a wake-up, try not to stimulate your baby too much during your check-in.
Use soft lighting—or no light at all—and keep your movements slow and quiet, as you can overstimulate your baby with too many strokes or by playing or talking too much.
"A quick foot or back massage can often be enough to calm them down without fully waking them up," says Furman. "The gentle vibrations of the Kahlmi baby massager can enhance relaxation and soothe discomfort with minimal effort, making it easier for tired parents to offer comfort."
If they seem super alert, she adds, just stick to just a few calming strokes and try to lay them back down without prolonging the interaction.
Healthy sleep habits lead to healthy babies
Consistent, quality sleep is crucial to our health and well-being. Implementing healthy sleep practices early on with your little ones can have a significant impact on their growth and development and their overall wellness.
Incorporating gentle massage techniques into your babies' bedtime routine can improve their sleep hygiene and pave the way for deep and restful sleep.
Do you incorporate baby massage into your twins' bedtime routine? Does it help them transition into a more restful state for a better overnight sleep? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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