BENEFITS OF USING COCONUT OIL FOR YOUR BABY

Benefits Of Using Coconut Oil For Your Baby

Have you thought of using coconut oil for baby but are unsure whether or not it is safe to do so? Have you heard about its benefits of coconut oil for babies, and you would like to know how you can use it for your baby? Well, if you nodded along, you should consider reading our post below.Read on and learn how coconut oil could benefit your baby.

The Types Of Coconut Oils Available:

The oil that is derived from the fruit of the coconut tree is known as coconut oil. There are a few different types of coconut oil that are available in the market today. Virgin coconut oil refers to the type of coconut oil that isn’t processed and is unrefined. The cold pressed variant of coconut oil refers to the process in which the oil has been pressed out of the coconut fruit. The ‘cold pressed’ hints at the process used to derive the oil.

Coconut oil has many benefits. It helps cure many conditions such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, heart disease, improving immunity, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease and even irritable bowel syndrome. You can use coconut oil as a moisturizer and apply it on the skin to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Babies:

Coconut oil is loaded with various health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Here are some ways of using coconut oil on baby:

1. Cradle Cap:

Cradle cap is a condition that affects most newborns around the first few weeks after birth. The condition is characterized by a flaky scalp, and it almost seems like your little one has dandruff. The condition is prominent around the area your baby’s head touches the cot the most. While your baby is still too young and is not able to move his head, the constant friction of the baby on the pillow or the bed linen can cause cradle cap on the head. It is also known as seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Cradle Cap?

Massage some coconut oil on your baby’s scalp, especially on the area that is affected by cradle cap.Let the oil stay on for some time and then use a baby comb or baby hair brush with very soft bristles to brush off the flakes.Once you have brushed off the flakes, you can rinse your baby’s hair with lukewarm water.

2. Eczema:

Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin becomes very dry and, as a result, there is a lot of itching too. Eczema is a common condition in babies, especially as their skin is quite sensitive and can dry out easily. Even though the condition will often go away by itself once your baby grows up, it can be uncomfortable and can also lead to infection if your baby starts scratching the dry areas.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Eczema?

Coconut oil is a good hydrating agent, and you can use it as a natural moisturizer for your baby’s skin.Massage your baby with coconut oil before or after bath time and once at bedtime to provide adequate moisture and hydration to the skin.With regular coconut oil massage, your baby’s eczema will gradually decrease and get treated.

3. Diaper Rash:

Diaper rash can affect babies as young as newborns once they start wearing infant diapers or even when they pass urine frequently. Almost all babies suffer from diaper rash at one point in their lives. Even if you take all precautions and change your baby’s diaper frequently, there are chances that your baby may still get a diaper rash.Diaper rash, as the name suggests, is a rash that appears in the baby’s groin area. It is mostly a red rash that can spread if left untreated. In some cases, the rash can also lead to a severe infection that can be extremely painful and uncomfortable for your baby.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Baby Rash?

Apply a layer of coconut oil on your baby’s diaper area after bath time each day.Make sure to massage in the groin area and especially in the folds of the skin where the rash first appears.The moisturizing property of coconut oil will help treat the diaper rash, and the antibacterial properties will prevent any further occurrence of the same.

4. Smooth Hair:

When your baby is born, the hair is soft and silky, but sometimes, babies can develop dry and unmanageable hair. While your baby is still small, it can be difficult to comb your baby’s hair, which can also further add to your baby’s dry hair woes.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Smooth Hair?

Wet your baby’s hair during bath time and apply a small amount of coconut oil evenly onto the hair.Alternatively, you can also massage coconut oil for baby hair at night and wash it off in the morning.

5. Dry And Chapped Lips:

Babies have sensitive skin that can be affected by the temperature. As your baby’s skin stands the risk of getting dried out faster than yours, there is also the risk of your baby’s lips turning dry and as a result, chapped. Chapped and dry lips can be an awfully difficult problem for your little one, especially as they make it difficult for your baby to breastfeed. Also, your baby may constantly try to lick his lips to ease the pain, which can further dry his lips.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Dry And Chapped Lips?

Take a clean and sterilized Q-tip and dip it in a little amount of coconut oil.You can apply the oil on your baby’s lips as well as around the area of the lips.Alternatively, you can also use your small finger to apply the oil evenly around your baby’s lips.Make sure you do not apply any pressure as it can lead to pain and cause more discomfort.

6. Insect Bites:

Your baby is more prone to getting insect bites than you, as he may not be able to fend off those bites. Also, babies have sensitive skin, and in case your baby does get bitten by an insect, the area can soon turn red and result in swelling. The swelling is painful, itchy and can even lead to a burning sensation. An insect bite will almost always be uncomfortable for your baby, and there is also the added concern that it could turn into an infection. Coconut oil has natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. It means that if you use it for treating your baby’s insect bites, it will reduce the risk of an infection and will also help to bring down the swelling.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Insect Bite Area?

Take some coconut oil in your hands and rub it between your palms to warm it up.Now apply it gently on your baby’s skin where the insect bite is visible. Make sure you do not rub down hard as it may cause more pain and discomfort to your baby.Apply the coconut oil and leave it on till your baby’s next bath time. You will soon notice an improvement in swelling and redness.

7. Homemade Baby Wash:

When your baby is small, it is always a challenge to find the right baby wash that will help to clean your baby’s skin but not make it dry. Most baby washes today contain some or the other chemical that can have adverse effects on your baby’s skin.You may not be aware of any particular ingredient that your baby is allergic too. In such a situation, using a baby wash, even of a reputed baby care brand, can sometimes cause an allergic reaction in your baby. Instead of using a store-bought baby wash to clean your little one, you can use coconut oil baby wash at home. Not only will it clean your baby’s skin, but it will also be free of any harmful chemicals, and you will not have to bother about any unknown ingredients.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Homemade Baby Wash?

Take equal amounts of coconut oil and castor oil and mix them well together.Apply it all over your baby’s body and face at bath time. Gently massage to take out any dirt and wash off with regular bath water.

8. Treat Lice:

Sometimes, if there is a sibling or adult in the house who is affected with lice, your baby may also catch the bug and get affected. While it is possible to take out lice using a lice comb when your baby is older, a lice comb will scratch and hurt your baby’s scalp, which is not recommended. If your baby has lice, it can cause a lot of discomfort and itchiness. There is also the chance of the lice getting into your baby’s ears and eyes if the infestation is large. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut oil will help to control the spread of lice and also prevent a new infestation.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Lice Problem?

Use a little apple cider vinegar to rinse out your baby’s hair. Let it stay in the hair till dries out naturally.Once the vinegar becomes dry in your baby’s hair, add coconut oil onto your baby’s hair and make sure that you cover all hair.If possible, cover your baby’s head with the help of a shower cap. If that is not possible, and your baby tries to take out the shower cap, let the coconut oil stay in the hair for as long as possible.Use a gentle and fine-toothed comb to comb out the lice from your baby’s hair, which will be smothered with the coconut oil.

9. Baby Acne:

It is possible to see acne marks on your baby’s skin. As babies have sensitive skin, they can easily suffer breakouts that can cause red marks on the skin that may be swollen or itchy. While the acne will not always cause any further infection, it can be uncomfortable for your baby, especially if it itches. Also, your baby may try to touch the rashes, which can lead to infection.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Acne?

Take a little bit of coconut oil in your palms and rub it slightly with your finger to warm it.Now apply it over your baby’s acne and let it sit for some time as a natural non-chemical treatment.You can wash it off later with warm water or just let it sit there.

10. Chest Rub For Cold:

Your baby will go through many episodes of catching a cold and getting a congested nose, which is common for most babies. Having a cold can make it difficult for your baby to breathe and may even cause interference in your baby’s feeding schedule. Also, if left untreated, the cold can escalate to a fever. Using a chest rub during the cold can help to decongest the nose and the chest area and help the cold to get eventually treated. Instead of using a chest rub that is filled with harsh chemicals or has a very strong odor, it is always a better alternative to making your very own chest rub at home for your baby.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Chest Rub For A Cold?

Take two tsp of any essential oil such as peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil. You can also check with your baby’s doctor to know which essential oil can be safely used for your baby.Add a few tbsp. of coconut oil to the essential oil and mix it together.Warm up the oil by taking it in your palm and rubbing it till the friction in your hand makes it warm.Now rub it on your baby’s chest as a natural and safe alternative to a cosmetic chest rub.

11. Treating Your Baby’s Thrush (Candida):

Thrush, or candida, is a common infection that often happens in babies and shows up as rashes. It can occur inside your baby’s mouth, in the nappy area or in other parts of your baby’s body that are moist, such as areas around your baby’s mouth that may remain moist due to dribble. It may look like milk spots on your baby’s tongue and mostly affects babies within two months after birth.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Thrush?

If your baby suffers from thrush while you are still breastfeeding, you can drink a spoon of coconut oil each day to help your baby get the benefits through your breast milk.Take some coconut oil and rub it between your fingers to make it warm. Next, apply a little bit on and around your nipples just before you are about to breastfeed your baby. As your baby starts to breastfeed, the coconut oil that you have put on the nipples will go into your baby’s mouth and help relieve the symptoms of thrush.Speak to your doctor whether it is okay to give coconut oil for thrush in babies. Once your doctor gives you a go-ahead, you can apply a little coconut oil inside your baby’s mouth to reduce the condition and prevent it from coming back.

12. Baby Tooth Paste:

Once your baby is a few months old, you can start massaging his gums to help ease teething pains and improve his oral and dental hygiene. As soon as your baby gets his first tooth, you can start using toothpaste to make sure your baby’s teeth and gums remain healthy and are free from infection. Even though there are many baby toothpaste available in the market that are considered safe, you may not want to give your baby toothpaste so early in life. If you are worried about the safe use of toothpaste, but also want to ensure your baby’s teeth and gums are clean, you can try using coconut oil as a natural alternative.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Baby’s Tooth Paste?

Take a little amount of coconut oil on your fingers and gently dab on your baby’s gums.Gently massage in the same way every day in the morning and twice a day once your baby gets his first tooth.

13. Teething Pain:

The phase your baby goes through during teething can be full of pain that can cause your baby to be irritable and may also interrupt with regular feeding routine. Your baby can start the teething phase as early as four months. Coconut oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe inflammation that is often caused as part of teething and causes pain and discomfort to your baby.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Teething Babies?

Take a little amount of coconut oil on your fingers and gently dab on your baby’s gums.Apply a little bit of coconut oil on your baby’s soothers or other teething toys that you give your baby to ease his teething pains. Moreover, consider, applying the coconut oil will ensure your baby gets some natural relief from pain. As it has anti-bacterial properties, using coconut oil through your baby’s soothers will also ensure that your baby is not at risk of getting any infection during this time.

14. Frizzy Hair:

When your baby is young and has not learned to hold his head up or move it much, you will notice that your baby’s hair tends to turn frizzy. While your baby’s hair will otherwise be soft to the touch, being in constant friction with the pillow or the surface on the bed will mean that your baby’s hair gets frizzy at certain parts. During the early months of life, you may find it very tough to comb your baby’s hair. Some babies are very uncomfortable with the idea of combing and may not let you comb their hair at all. If at all your baby does allow you to comb his hair, you will notice that it turns frizzy again the moment your baby gets to bed. To make it easier for baby and ensure your baby does not get hurt while trying to comb forcefully, coconut oil can be a great natural tool to de-frizz your baby’s hair. If your baby has a head full of hair, it can often turn staticky once your baby’s hair comes in friction with the pillow or bed surface. You may also notice patches of hair that stand out in your baby’s hair as a result of static electricity.

How To Use Coconut Oil On Baby Hair?

Take a little bit of coconut oil and rub it between your palms to make it warm. Apply it all over your baby’s hair and make sure it is spread evenly. Take special care to apply it on those areas where your baby’s head is mostly in contact with the pillow or the surface of the bed.Once your baby wakes up and gets out of bed, try using a very fine-toothed comb or baby hair brush to brush back baby’s hair in place.If your baby does not like you combing or brushing his hair, you can still smooth his hair by using your fingers.Coconut oil is an amazing natural cure that has many benefits for your baby. Even though it is considered safe, make sure you speak to your baby’s doctor before your baby ingests it. So, ensure that you only use coconut oil topically unless your doctor says that your baby can consume it.Did you use coconut oil for baby for any of the conditions we list above? Did your baby suffer from any side effects? Tell us about your story here. Fellow moms would love to learn from your experiences. So, leave a comment below. If you have any further questions about coconut oil and how it benefits babies, post them below.