A number of studies have found that massage with sunflower oil is a topical emollient that can protect a newborn from infection and death.  In Bangladesh sunflower seed oil was found to reduce pathogens both on the skin and in the bloodstream of newborns.  The initial research suggests that repeated massage throughout the neonatal period is protective.  The specific type of oil used is important as some alternatives like mustard seed oil have not been tested.