Newborns with low weight are taken to the neonatal unit, where they are touched minimally to avoid infections, however, the babies are deprived of tactile stimulation. As a result of the research, increase in weight gain rate in newborns with low weight was observed with moderate massages provided by educated individuals or mothers thanks to various mechanisms such increased neural activity, increased insulin secretion, decreased energy secretion, increased gastric motility and better absorption of nutrients, decreased serum level of cortisol and norepinephrine, and decreased stressful behavior. According to the study conducted by Darmstad et. al., it was observed that sunflower oil could be used in infectious infections in infants born with very low-weight in developing countries. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of sunflower oil massage or the application of oil-free massage in growth parameters of low-weight infants with premature birth in Iran. The oil used is 10 ml per kg and contains 61.5% linoleic acid. The massage was performed 3 times a day for 14 days by the mothers. The massage was performed for 10 minutes each morning, noon and evening. The 10-minute massage was divided into two phases. In the first and second phases, tactile stimulation was performed while kinesthetic stimulation was performed in the second phase. In the tactile stimulation phase, the newborn is prone laid facedown, touched with moderately strokes, 10 strokes are made in the following order on each area for 6 seconds. Therefore, the process takes 5 minutes.

(1) from the top of the head to the nape and back to the top of the head

(2) from the nape to the shoulders and back to the nape

(3) from the top of the dorsal to the waist and back to the top of the dorsal

(4) from the hips to the feet and back to the hips (both feet)

(5) from the shoulder to the hand and back to the shoulder (both arms)

In the kinesthetic phase, the newborn is laid down on his/her back, each arm, each foot, and the feet are bent and extended together. Each movement lasts for 10 seconds and this process is continued for 5 minutes. If the baby cries, he/she will sit down until he/she relaxes. 25 girls and 23 boys were studied for 35 weeks. As a result, it was observed that weight gain in newborns born with low weight was more when massaged with oil compared to normal massage. Massage with oil increases somatic growth, reduces heat transfer from the skin surface, regulates heat and skin barrier functions, accelerates circulation in the massaged area and reduces transepidermal water loss. As a nutrient, it allows the absorption of fatty acids in the body, provides calorie intake, reduces mortality and reduces stress.