Here’s Why You Should Use Coconut Oil For Baby Massage

Using coconut oil for baby massage has been an age-old practice in India. In fact, coconut oil is often the first choice of parents when it comes to infant massage since it is easily absorbed by the baby’s skin and prevents moisture loss. A good 15-20 minute massage with coconut oil can provide various therapeutic benefits to your little one, including improved digestion and blood circulation. It also helps heal dry skin conditions like diaper rashes and eczema.

But if you want to add this nutrient-rich to your baby’s routine, you should ensure that you are choosing the right type of coconut oil that suits your munchkin’s skin and doesn’t cause adverse skin reactions. Keep reading to know more about the different varieties of coconut oil, the best product recommendations, and the incredible benefits of using this oil on your baby’s skin and hair.

Varieties Of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is extracted from the fruit of the coconut tree. There are three main variants of coconut oil, and each of them are derived differently.

• Unrefined or virgin coconut oil: It is extracted from the fruit of mature and fresh coconuts. Virgin coconut oil is not processed or refined and is prepared without using chemicals or high temperatures. In brief, it is the purest form of coconut oil and is considered safe for your baby’s skin.
• Refined coconut oil: It is made from dried coconut kernel (copra), and it is often refined through deodorisation and bleaching.
• Partially hydrogenated coconut oil: In this process, coconut oil is obtained by converting unsaturated fatty acids to saturated ones. During this process, some of the good fats transform into trans fats, which basically offer no skin or health benefits.

The Best Coconut Oil For Baby Massage

Generally, virgin and unrefined coconut oil is considered safe for babies, as they are obtained without using chemicals, bleaches, and deodorisation. One of the best-unrefined coconut oils that you can use for your little one is BabyChakra’s organic coconut oil, which is designed with cold-pressed, extra-virgin, and unadulterated coconut oil, making it safe for your munchkin’s skin.

In fact, organic coconut oil is a multi-purpose oil, which caters to both your baby’s skin and hair needs, and provides ultimate nourishment and moisturisation. Regular massage with this coconut oil can help relieve dryness and irritation in your baby’s skin, and also soothe cradle cap and dandruff on your baby’s scalp. It is the perfect addition to your baby’s skin and haircare routine and can help keep your baby’s skin soft and supple, and their scalp nourished and dandruff-free.

Incredible Uses Of Coconut Oil For Babies

It Helps Treat Eczema

Eczema is a dry skin condition that makes your baby’s skin flaky and itchy. This skin condition can be treated by using coconut oil, which serves as an emollient and offers deep nourishment and hydration. Plus, since the oil absorbs into your baby’s skin easily, it prevents the risk of moisture loss, thus combating dryness and flakiness.

It Helps Soothe Diaper Rash 

Diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis is one of the most uncomfortable inflammatory skin conditions in infants. One way to treat it is by using applying coconut oil to the groin area, and in the skin folds, where the rashes appear first. The emollient and antibacterial properties of coconut oil will help soothe and treat the rashes, and also form a protective layer on your baby’s skin to prevent their occurrence in the future.

It Can Help Treat Cradle Cap

Dry scalp or cradle cap is a scalp condition that affects several newborns during the initial weeks after birth. This condition is characterised by a reddened and flaky scalp, making it look like your baby has dandruff. Massaging with coconut oil on the affected area of your baby’s scalp might help alleviate this condition. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help reduce inflammation and redness and keep dryness at bay. 

Let the oil sit on your baby’s scalp for 10 minutes, and then use a baby comb with soft bristles to brush off the flakes and rinse their scalp with lukewarm, water.

It Can Be Used To Moisturise Your Baby’s Dry And Chapped Lips

Your baby has sensitive skin that has a high risk of getting dried out faster compared to yours. As a result, dry skin conditions, such as chapped lips are common among them. Applying coconut oil might help reduce dryness in their lips and ease discomfort. Coconut oil is enriched with fatty acids, which provide intense nourishment, and since they absorb easily, there is less chance of moisture escaping. 

Use a q-tip dipped in coconut oil and apply it on your baby’s lips, as well as the areas around their lips for moisturisation. 

It Helps Relieve Insect Bites

Coconut oil has fatty acids that have potential insect-repellent properties and help keep away stable flies and bed bugs. Besides this, the emollient and inflammatory properties of coconut oil might help relieve soreness and itching caused by insect or bug bites. Take some oil in your palm and rub it to warm it. Gently apply it to your baby’s skin where the insect bite is. Make sure you do not rub it down hard as it might cause more discomfort and pain to your baby.

Coconut oil for baby massage is highly recommended by doctors for its therapeutic and medicinal properties. It can also be used as a remedy for treating certain skin and scalp conditions in babies. Make sure you are using organic coconut oil like the one mentioned above, as they are chemical-free and do not cause any adverse reaction in your little one’s skin and hair.

Also read:

When to start oil massage for your newborn baby: Learn when should you start oil massage for your newborn and the best massage oil to choose. 

Best baby products: Cart these best baby products that offer gentle care and nourishment to your little one’s skin and hair. 

Best baby massage oils: Wondering what massage oil should you add to your little one’s routine? We have got you covered with a helpful list of choices. 

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