Coconut oil has long established itself as a superfood due to its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that we are often asked whether it is possible to use coconut oil for child care and include it in the child’s diet? Our answer: of course you can!
Today we will share our personal recipe for coconut oil infusion – a lifesaver for caring for our two little ones. And to begin with, let’s understand the types of coconut oil and recall the rules.
- Before using coconut products for the first time, consult your pediatrician.
- Even if you’re not allergic to coconut oil (it’s rare at all), do a small skin test on the inside of your wrist.
- If you yourself try coconut oil for the first time or offer it to your child, you should start with a teaspoon or even a half. The product itself is not traditional for our region, therefore, like any new food, it may seem unusual.
- Always give preference to certified organic first cold-pressed coconut oil and preferably with the “Virgin” label – it is the purest. Other coconut oils may contain chemicals and may have undergone a refining and bleaching process that has stripped the oil of its perfection and beneficial natural healing properties.
A very brief identifier of the types of coconut oils
Pure coconut oil
Dried coconut pulp (copra) is crushed, squeezed and refined to obtain pure coconut oil. The color of the oil at a temperature below 25 degrees is white. The smell of coconut is rich. This type of coconut oil does not contain any additional ingredients.
Refined coconut oil
This oil has no smell and no color. It is obtained after coconut oil is subjected to thermal, chemical and mechanical processes – refining, bleaching and deodorization.
Virgin coconut oil
This coconut oil is made from fresh coconuts. It completely preserves its antioxidant properties, has a pleasant delicate aroma and taste of coconut, because it was not heated during the extraction process.
Organic coconut oil
When growing coconut palms, only organic fertilizers, manure, to put it simply, were used for this type of oil. No chemicals are used during the process of pressing and cleaning the oil.
Organic virgin coconut oil
The method of fertilizing coconut palms is the same as the previous type of oil, plus the high quality of the oil due to the fact that it is pressed from fresh coconuts.
For the last two types of oils, a certificate confirming the organic status of the product is mandatory.
Natural coconut oil is undoubtedly the most nourishing oil you can use to care for your baby. Most creams and lotions are intended for the upper layers of the skin, and the special molecular structure of coconut oil helps it penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis, allowing it to be absorbed quickly, while the effect of using the oil is more noticeable and lasts longer.
nullNow we offer to consider in which cases coconut oil will be for you
a reliable friend and helper
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis or dry scalp — a disease to which many newborns are prone. The condition is characterized by flaking of the scalp and it looks like your baby has dandruff. Most often, this is noticeable in the part of the child’s head that is most closely related to the crib and stroller.
How do we act?
- Apply a little coconut oil to the baby’s scalp with gentle movements, especially in the area of severe peeling.
- Leave the oil on for 10-20 minutes, then use a towel or a very soft-bristled comb to remove the crusts.
- After you have removed the dry skin flakes, you can rinse the baby’s head with warm water or wipe it with a wet towel.
- The same method is perfect for normal nutrition of children’s hair and making it smooth. After all, the process of combing is still dark. But you can always pretend that you are just stroking the hair, having inconspicuously smeared your fingers with coconut oil before that.
Eczema
Eczema — it is a condition in which the skin becomes very dry and itchy. Eczema is often found in children, as their skin is very sensitive and dries out quickly. In most cases, the symptoms disappear on their own as the child grows older, but eczema causes discomfort and can lead to infection if the child scratches dry areas of the skin.
How do we act?
Use the moisturizing properties of coconut oil as a massage tool, or simply rub coconut oil on your baby’s skin before/after bath or at least once before bed.
With regular massage with coconut oil, the symptoms of eczema gradually decrease and disappear.
Leaks through diapers
Almost all children suffer from bedwetting at some point in their lives, even if you have taken all possible precautions. As the name suggests, this is a rash that appears in the child’s groin area. Most often, the rash is red and can spread if left untreated. Probably, it will be enough for you to change the brand of diapers or their size, and if even that is not the case – do not rush to buy antibiotics and hormonal drugs. Or at least alternate their use with coconut oil. It acts as a protective barrier and prevents further irritation, nourishing and healing damaged skin. In addition, unlike traditional creams, coconut oil does not spoil diapers
How do we act?
- Apply a layer of coconut oil daily to the diaper area after bathing and preferably after each diaper change.
- Be sure to massage with oil, paying special attention to skin folds where any rash is noticed.
- The moisturizing properties of coconut oil will help treat cold sores, and the antibacterial properties will help prevent their spread and prevent inflammation.
Dry and chapped lips
In hot, cold weather or central heating, your baby’s skin is at risk of drying out faster than yours, which can be a serious problem for your baby and make breastfeeding difficult.
Our actions
- Apply the oil lightly to the baby’s lips and the area around the lips using the tools at hand or just a clean finger. Do not press hard, as this can cause pain and cause even more discomfort.
- In the same way, you can lubricate your nipples with coconut oil before or after feeding – double concern – for your own health and the baby’s.
Insect bites
Not to mention that insects prefer children’s skin to any other member of the family. Coconut oil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. If you use it to lubricate the places of insect bites, it will reduce the risk of infection and also reduce the swelling from the bites.
How do we act?
Just put a drop of coconut oil on the morning and leave it until your next bath. The oil will speed up the healing process and relieve itching
Homemade baby bath product
It’s always difficult to find the right baby bath product that will cleanse your baby’s skin without drying it out. Most of these mixtures contain certain chemicals that can cause harm. You may not even know about the specific ingredient that causes an allergic reaction in your child.
Our actions
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- Take equal amounts of coconut and castor oil and mix well
- Apply the mixture all over the baby’s body while bathing
- Massage lightly to remove dirt and rinse with plain water.
We get rid of lice
Most often, children are infected with lice from each other. Or from you. You can comb out lice and larvae with a frequent comb, but such a comb will definitely harm the scalp of the child. If you delay the treatment of pediculosis, there is a possibility of lice getting into the child’s ears and eyes. It’s unpleasant.
Our actions
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- Use an apple cider vinegar solution to rinse your child’s hair.
- Let the hair dry, then apply coconut oil to the baby’s hair and scalp.
- If possible, cover your child’s head with a shower cap for at least 20 minutes. If this is not possible and your child (of course!) removes the cap, try to keep the coconut oil on the hair as long as possible. Then wash everything with plain water and a mild shampoo.
A child is a magic magnet and a box for all kinds of colds and viruses
Your baby will probably go through many colds and repeated nasal congestion, which is typical for most children. However, any cold can make it difficult for a child to breathe and affect his diet and sleep. In addition, if left untreated, ARI can develop into inflammation. Instead of using pharmacy ointments for rubbing, or if they are suddenly not at hand, use cocoa butter or coconut oil melted in a steam bath.
Our actions
- Take a few drops of any essential oil (such as peppermint, rosemary, lavender or eucalyptus) and mix it with a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil
- Warm the mixture by vigorously rubbing it in your palms
- Rub the mixture into your baby’s chest as a natural, safe alternative to rubbing with chemicals.
- Coconut oil is also a natural antiviral and antibacterial drug. Apply the oil on the nose and around the nose of the child if he is sick.
Treatment of thrush (candida)
Thrush or candida is a common infection that often occurs in children; manifests itself in the form of a rash and itching. Symptoms can appear in the child’s mouth, in the diaper area or, for example, around the mouth. Most often, candida looks like milky spots on the tongue, and it mainly affects children within two months after birth.
How to use coconut oil to treat thrush in a child
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- If your baby suffers from thrush while breastfeeding, you can drink a teaspoon or a tablespoon of coconut oil every day so that your baby gets the extra benefits of your breast milk.
- Apply coconut oil to and around the nipples immediately before breastfeeding. This way, the oil will go directly to the baby’s mouth and help relieve the symptoms of thrush.
Children’s toothpaste and oral care
When your baby is a few months old, you start massaging his gums to ease teething pain. As soon as the baby gets the first tooth, the question becomes the use of toothpaste that is safe and useful for the child and helps with teething syndrome
How can you help?
- Using your fingers or by greasing chew toys, gently apply coconut oil to your baby’s gums.
- Gently massage the gums with coconut oil at least twice a day — in the morning and in the evening. If the child allows you, of course.
- Coconut oil helps relieve pain symptoms from teething and reduces the likelihood of infection
Coconut oil as body lotion
Coconut oil is an ideal natural moisturizer. It helps fight dry baby skin thanks to the vitamins and healthy fats present in the oil.
Simply rub some coconut oil in your palms and apply it to your baby’s skin 10-15 minutes before or immediately after bathing.
Coconut oil for baby massage
Most parents know about the benefits and necessity of baby massage. Everything is simple here: use pure coconut oil for massage or 50/50 coconut and olive oil heated in a water bath with the addition of a couple of drops of essential oils (chamomile or lavender, for example)
Coconut oil to remove meconium
Coconut oil works wonders when it comes to removing meconium, the resin-like substance that comes out of your baby’s intestines. This is the first bowel movement of the baby, it is difficult to wipe it off the skin, and therefore coconut oil will definitely come in handy.
Yeast infection in children
Yeast infection is considered the most severe form of bedwetting in children. The infection affects the skin around the thighs, neck, groin area and under the armpits, as moisture has the ability to accumulate in closed parts of the body. It usually manifests itself in the form of red rashes with dotted white spots that cause itching and painful sensations.
Antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil prevent skin infection by weakening disease-causing bacteria.
How to act better
This method works well for the diaper changing process.
- Pour warm boiled water or herbal infusion into a bowl
- Soak a soft cloth in water, then remove excess moisture (wring out the towel, simply put, but not dry, of course.
- Gently wipe the child with a wet towel, paying special attention to the areas of the skin affected by the fungus
- Allow the skin to dry for a couple of minutes or pat the baby dry with a dry towel
- With clean hands, apply a small amount of coconut oil to the rash and let the oil absorb a little
- Use a new diaper
- Repeat the process before each diaper change until the yeast infection is completely cured.
- The use of coconut oil in the food of the child will also help to cope with the yeast infection. If the baby is not ready to eat coconut oil on its own, you can add it to your daily diet while breastfeeding.
Coconut oil and baby nutrition
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- Careful mothers can use coconut oil in cooking or use a small amount of it twice a day as an energy source and food supplement, improving their own body, and passing the beneficial properties of the oil to the child with breast milk.
- Adding butter to homemade baby food is no less useful. Hypoallergenic coconut oil contains lauric acid, which greatly facilitates the digestion process, thereby relieving the baby of constipation.
- Coconut oil will also help children absorb vitamins and nutrients from vegetables and fruits from the moment they start complementary feeding: pumpkin, leafy greens, carrots, apples and others.
nullAnd now the promised recipe for a universal baby care product
for all occasionsnull
- 200 ml of coconut oil
- a handful of dried chamomile (flowers)
- Melt the butter in a water bath and add chamomile to it.
- Keep the mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, pour it into a glass or ceramic dish with a lid and put it in a warm place for 10 days.
- After the chamomile gives its healing properties to the oil, heat the mixture again and strain. Use as a universal child care product.
Stay healthy with MASALE!
