8 Tips for Healthy and Natural Baby Care 10
Welcoming a new baby is definitely a time to rejoice for the whole family. While you take delight in your bundle of joy, you need to consider how to provide the best care for your baby. With the market being flooded with numerous baby care products, you will be overwhelmed at the choice available. But when you take a closer look at the ingredients present in these baby care creams, oils and lotions you will find many chemicals, which you would not want on your baby at any cost. At times like this, knowing about the use of coconut oil in baby care would help you take to a natural, healthy and beneficial baby care oil and keep your baby healthy and fit. Coconut oil is being used worldwide for its highly beneficial properties such as anti
fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Further, you need not spend much on the oil. Since it is a natural product, you can be assured that it is completely safe for your baby. Coconut oil with its delicious aroma is a moisturizer, which can be used in baby care in different ways. Here are some tips for taking tender care of your baby with coconut oil. 1. Diaper rash One of the common problems you face with infants and children below two years is the rashes that appear due to diaper use. The skin appears red and shiny in the area exposed to the diapers. Coconut oil is an ideal natural remedy for treating diaper rash. The oil acts as a barrier preventing further irritation due to the diaper. The healthy ingredients in the oil nourish the skin and treat the irritation caused by diaper use. Since coconut oil has excellent antifungal properties, it can be used for treating yeast infections. Further, unlike some of the chemical creams used to treat the rashes, coconut oil does not ruin the nappies, especially those made of cloth. To get proper relief, apply coconut oil liberally on the area affected daily until the rashes disappear. 2. Moisturizing lotion Babies have soft and smooth skin, so it is not actually necessary to apply any creams or lotions. However, if you want to use some moisturizer in case your baby suffers from dryness of skin all over or in certain areas such as the neck creases, coconut oil is the right choice. Coconut oil provides good protection for the baby’s skin. The healthy fats, vitamins, and
moisturizing ingredients present in the oil keep the skin well moisturized and free of irritation. 3. Natural bath oil Instead of the chemical ridden products, using coconut oil for cleaning your baby helps in a thorough cleaning. Moreover, it is safe and beneficial for the baby too. You need to mix equal parts of organic castile soap and coconut oil with water and your baby wash is ready. It is not necessary to add essential oils for fragrance, as coconut oil has a natural pleasing fragrance. While it is not necessary to use the baby bath solution every time, it can be used on occasions, when you need to clean your baby, thoroughly and safely. 4. Treat Cradle Cap The moisturizing effect of coconut oil helps in treating cradle cap, a fungal infection that occurs in babies. The oil should be massaged into the scalp of baby gently, left for 20 minutes, and rinsed off with water. The oil moisturizes the scalp and loosens the flakes, while keeping the scalp nourished. The loosened flakes should be removed with a soft bristled comb. 5. Massage oil Massage helps to strengthen the bond between the baby and its parent. Massage also helps relaxes your baby right ahead of bedtime. Since most massage oils available in the market are petroleum based it is not safe to use them on babies. You can instead make your own massage cream just like the baby bath lotion. Add equal parts of olive oil and coconut oil and a few drops of lavender (for fragrance and relaxation) to get homemade, natural and effective massage oil.
6. Treatment of skin conditions Since coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it can be used in treatment of many skin conditions that occur in babies such as thrush or eczema. When applied in the baby’s mouth and in areas such as diaper folds, thrush (Candida) can be cleared. The nutrients in the oil help in treating the dry skin conditions such as eczema. 7. Digestive power Coconut oil can also be added as an ingredient in baby food to get its benefits. The lauric acid present in coconut oil helps in digestion and enables easy absorption of nutrients from foods you give for babies such as pumpkin, leafy greens and carrots. The oil is hypoallergenic and hence can be used safely. 8. Healing properties The antioxidant property of virgin coconut oil helps in collagen stimulation, which is important for wound healing. Applying coconut oil to minor wounds or cuts helps in faster healing. Since coconut oil is a proven antimicrobial agent due to the presence of fatty acids of medium chain like lauric acid, it is ideal for treating protozoal, fungal, and viral infections effectively.
Coconut oil selection Coconut oil is available in many forms including pure, refined, virgin, organic, and organic virgin varieties. Pure coconut oil is the purest form, while refined oil undergoes mechanical and chemical processes to make it colorless and odorless. Virgin oil is extracted from coconut milk and is rich in antioxidants, as it is not heated for extraction. Organic coconut oil is the oil extracted from coconut trees that have been
grown using natural manure and without any addition of chemical for the extraction process. When you buy coconut oil, ensure it is pure, unrefined, and organic. Extra virgin oil is best for babies as it indicates the oil is in its purest form and hence can give the best benefits. Research reveals that chemicals in skin care products can harm your health in different ways. Since babies have ultrasensitive skin using a natural and at the same time beneficial skin care product is vital for their health and wellbeing. Coconut oil with its natural nurturing and healing properties is therefore ideal for use in baby care.