Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides that possess various medicinal and therapeutic properties. Perhaps that is why several parents consider trying coconut oil for babies for unlike purposes. By and large, this nutrient-rich oil is used as the master fat source in diets made for critically ill and premature infants (1).

However, its use for healthy babies is often express to skin and hair care purposes. But if you want to add kokosnoot oil to babe foods, consulting a pediatrician or certified nutritionist is crucial every bit the research on the rubber and efficacy of coconut oil for infants and babies is limited. Also, every bit different types of coconut oils are bachelor in the market, choosing the right oil blazon for your baby, specific to the intended apply (topical or oral), is necessary for your picayune one'southward condom.

Read on to know more about the coconut oil varieties considered prophylactic for babies, the uses of coconut oil in different domicile remedies, and its side effects.

Varieties Of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is derived from the fruit of the coconut tree. Read on to know nigh the three main variants of coconut oil and how they are extracted (ii):

  • Virgin or unrefined coconut oil is extracted from the fruit of fresh and mature coconuts. Virgin oil is not refined or processed and is prepared without using loftier temperatures or chemicals.
  • Refined coconut oil is made from copra (stale coconut kernel). This diverseness of oil is often refined through chemical bleaching and deodorization.
  • Partially hydrogenated kokosnoot oil is processed through partial hydrogenation, a procedure in which unsaturated fatty acids are converted into saturated ones. Due to this process, some of the unsaturated fats (the good fats) transform into trans fats (the bad fats).

Next, we wait at how kokosnoot oil is oftentimes used for babies.

How Coconut Oil Might Assistance Babies

The molecular structure of coconut oil allows it to be easily captivated by the skin, which makes information technology the preferred natural moisturizer in the tropical regions. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of coconut oil can help with some skin problems in babies. It is also used as an emollient in patients of atopic dermatitis (iv). However, the topical awarding of kokosnoot oil in whatsoever class, for whatever skin condition, should be practiced after a thorough word with a pediatrician.

Next, nosotros talk about a few pare conditions for which coconut oil is used as a remedy.

i. Cradle Cap

Cradle cap or dry scalp is a condition that affects several newborns during the initial weeks subsequently birth. The condition is characterized by a flaky and reddened scalp, making information technology look like your fiddling one has dandruff. So, massaging some kokosnoot oil on your baby's scalp, particularly on the area that is afflicted by cradle cap, may help alleviate the condition to an extent.

Let the oil stay on for 20 minutes or leave information technology overnight if necessary to break up the calibration.  And so, use a baby comb or hairbrush with soft bristles to brush off the flakes, and rinse your baby's hair with lukewarm h2o.

2. Eczema

Eczema is a condition where the peel becomes very dry out, and, as a issue, at that place could be itching also. Eczema is common in babies, every bit their skin is quite sensitive and can dry out out rapidly. The use of emollient therapy early is considered to be a novel approach to preventing atopic dermatitis (5). An in-vitro study has shown that the topical application of virgin coconut oil could be effective in reducing eczema symptoms (4)(6). So, if your doc recommends the apply of kokosnoot oil for eczema, then you could try massaging your babe with coconut oil one time before or afterwards bath time, and one time at bedtime to provide adequate moisture and hydration to the peel. With regular coconut oil massage, your baby'south eczema symptoms might fade.

3. Diaper Rash

Diaper dermatitis, too known equally diaper rash, is the most observed inflammatory skin concern in infants and toddlers. A study on 117 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis found that topical application of virgin coconut oil for eight weeks was more constructive than the awarding of mineral oil in relieving the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (seven).

If your doctor approves the use of coconut oil for diaper rash, you could apply it in the diaper region and see if it helps. Utilize a layer of kokosnoot oil on the areas covered past diaper each twenty-four hour period after bathroom so at every diaper change. Exist sure to massage in the groin surface area, and peculiarly in the skin folds where the rash first appears. The emollient backdrop of coconut oil volition help treat the diaper rash, and the antibacterial backdrop will prevent any farther occurrence of the same.

4. Hair Care

A paper published in The Periodical of Cosmetic Science presented that both the in-vivo and in-vitro treatments using coconut oil prevented combing damage of various hair types. The report further presented that coconut oil has considerable amounts of lauric acid.

Lauric acid has a high affinity for hair proteins, and due to its low molecular weight and peculiar structure, it tin can penetrate within the pilus shaft (viii). Thus, coconut oil can be considered as an option while yous plan a hair intendance regimen for your babe.

To use, wet your babe's hair during bath time and apply a small amount of coconut oil evenly onto the hair. Alternatively, you can also massage coconut oil on the baby's hair at night and wash it off in the forenoon.

5. Dry And Chapped Lips

Babies take sensitive peel that tin can be affected past temperature. As your babe's skin stands the risk of getting dried out faster than yours, there is as well the chance of your baby'due south lips turning dry out and as a effect, chapped. Chapped and dry lips can be a thorny problem for your piddling ane, peculiarly every bit they go far difficult for your baby to breastfeed.

Also, your infant may constantly try to lick the lips to ease the hurting, which can make the lips further dry out. Applying coconut oil might aid reduce the dryness of lips. To do so, accept a make clean and sterilized Q-tip, dip it in a petty amount of coconut oil and apply the oil on your infant's lips as well equally around the area of the lips. Brand certain you practice not utilise any force per unit area as it tin can lead to pain and cause more discomfort.

vi. Insect Bites

A research report also showed that kokosnoot oil has fat acids that have potential insect repellent properties to keep away bed bugs, horn flies, and stable flies (9). Apart from this, the inflammatory and emollient properties of coconut oil might provide some relief from soreness acquired due to insect bite. If your pediatrician allows, you can try coconut oil every bit a remedy for insect bites.

Take some coconut oil and rub it between your palms to warm it upward. At present apply it gently on your baby's skin where the insect bite is. Make sure you do non rub down hard as it may crusade more pain and discomfort to your baby. Leave information technology on till your babe'southward next bathroom.

7. Bootleg Babe Wash

It is e'er a claiming to find the right baby launder that will assistance to clean your baby'south skin just not make it dry out. Most baby washes incorporate some chemicals that tin evidence adverse furnishings on your baby'south skin. You may not be aware of all the ingredients that your baby is allergic too. So, using a baby wash, even of a reputed babe intendance brand, might carry a risk of an allergic reaction.

You lot can avoid that past making a bootleg baby launder using coconut oil. To gear up the body launder, have equal amounts of coconut oil and castor oil or castile soap, and mix them well together. Utilize information technology all over your baby's torso and face at bathroom fourth dimension. Gently massage to have out whatever dirt and wash off with regular bathwater.

Pediatric consultation is a must if you desire to use coconut oil every bit a torso wash. This is crucial as the safety and efficacy of co-ingredients such as castor oil and castile lather need to be checked earlier apply.

8. Lice

Head lice infestations are pesky, communicable problems. Many people endeavor coconut oil every bit an constructive remedy, simply the studies proving its efficacy are sparse. You tin, however, endeavor a dwelling remedy made of coconut oil to try and fight lice infestations.

Use a little apple cider vinegar (ACV) to rinse out your babe'due south pilus. Let information technology stay in the pilus till it dries out naturally. Once the vinegar becomes dry out, apply coconut oil to the baby's hair and make certain that y'all embrace all hair. If possible, comprehend your baby'southward head with a shower cap. If that is not possible, and your baby tries to take out the shower cap, allow the kokosnoot oil stay in the hair for equally long equally possible.

Since this remedy involves the apply of ACV, cheque about its rubber, and recommended usage with your pediatrician before you effort information technology.

9. Baby Acne

As babies have sensitive skin, they tin can hands suffer breakouts that can cause ruby marks on the pare that may be swollen or itchy. Since coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repairing properties, you may try it to get some relief from acne (i) (iv). However, at that place are no clinical studies to prove the efficacy of coconut oil use for acne. The practice is mostly anecdotal.

10. Baby's Thrush (Candida)

Thrush or Candida is a common oral fungal infection in babies. Its symptoms include white, oddly shaped patches in the mouth. It tin't exist washed away or wiped off easily, similar milk curds (x).

Traditionally, the use of coconut oil is considered to provide relief from fungal infections due to its antifungal properties (eleven). Some studies have also documented the sporostatic properties of coconut oil after heating or boiling (12). All the same, all these studies take not recommended the use of coconut oil for whatever specific fungal infection. Also, the safety and efficacy of oral utilise of kokosnoot oil for babies to care for thrush are not well-documented.

11. Baby Toothpaste

The use of coconut oil in oil pulling amidst adults to maintain oral health by reducing plaque formation is well-documented in alternative medicine literature. However, its use is non recommended by the American Dental Association (one)(3). The use of coconut oil equally toothpaste or any other oral utilise for babies is under-researched. You may consult your pediatrician for its use.

12. Teething Hurting

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises massage the gums while teething. Still, the use of any oil for the aforementioned is not mentioned (i)(iv). Nonetheless, the use of coconut oil for relieving teething hurting is well-documented in culling medicine due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

thirteen. Frizzy Hair

While your baby's pilus will otherwise exist soft to bear on, existence in constant friction with the pillow or the surface on the bed could make them frizzy at certain parts. During the early weeks afterward nativity, moisture loss could as well be one of the reasons for your baby to become frizzy pilus.

For a long fourth dimension, coconut oil has been considered effective. It is believed to condition hair, which makes them soft and smoothen. Although in that location are no direct studies to chronicle the use of kokosnoot oil to defrizz pilus, the presence of loftier amounts of lauric acid in the oil could be the reason. Lauric acid can penetrate the hair shaft and provide nourishment (8).

14. Chest Rub For Common cold

Having a common cold can make it difficult for your baby to breathe and may even crusade interference in your baby's feeding schedule. If left untreated, a cold can escalate to a fever.  Thus, using a chest rub during a cold can help to decongest the nose and the chest area, and aid in treatment for cold.

In many traditional practices, coconut oil is combined with camphor or garlic and used as a chest rub to provide relief from cold. But these practices are anecdotal, and inquiry bankroll their efficacy is not well documented. However, with proper pediatric guidance, you can endeavour this home remedy.

Take two teaspoons of whatsoever essential oil, such as eucalyptus oil. Add a few tablespoons of coconut oil to the essential oil and mix. Warm up the oil past taking it in your palm and rubbing it till the friction in your hand makes it warm. Now rub it on your baby's breast as a natural and safe alternative to a cosmetic breast rub.

Note that essential oils may non be safe for the baby, merely when highly diluted and used as prescribed by the doctor, you may apply them. In whatever case, consult a pediatrician before using essential oils for babies.

xv. Coconut Oil as Body Balm

Coconut oil has emollient and antimicrobial properties, owing to which information technology is considered suitable for use in a skincare regimen (1) (four).  Have a footling coconut oil in your palms and dab it on the areas yous wish to moisturize. Leave it until the adjacent bath.

16. Coconut Oil for Babe Massage

Nigh parents are aware of the benefits of baby massage. Using coconut oil for the same has proven its efficacy as well (ane)(five). A traditional way to use coconut oil for baby massage is to take equal amounts of extra virgin coconut oil and olive oil and mix them thoroughly. To the mix, add a few drops of natural essential oil similar lavender and apply the same to massage your babe.

17. Remove Meconium

Coconut oil works suitably when it comes to the removal of meconium, a tar-like mucilaginous substance that comes out through the baby'due south bowel. Y'all tin use coconut oil and rub information technology over meconium to assist it get-off the babe's delicate skin.

eighteen. Coconut Oil in Food

Breastfeeding mothers can use coconut oil in cooking or consume in some other way. Consumption of coconut-oil is believed to increase the milk menstruum.

The presence of medium-chain triglycerides such as lauric acid is beneficial for mothers likewise equally their babies. It also aids in developing immunity and helping in the overall growth and development of the babe (1)(6). It could also help babies absorb nutrients from vegetables like pumpkin, leafy greens, carrots, and squash equally they beginning solids.

Virgin coconut oil is hypoallergenic. However, information technology has shown cross-reactivity in people who have a tree nut allergy (1)(7). Then even though it is considered safe, make sure you speak to a pediatrician before your baby ingests information technology.

19. Coconut Oil for Bumps, Burns and Cuts

A report conducted on rats showed that topical application of virgin kokosnoot oil could help in speeding up wound healing. Virgin coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and another bioactive compounds that may help in healing (11) (ane)(8). However, it is advisable to seek medical advice earlier proceeding with the home remedies.

20. Yeast Infection in Babies

Using kokosnoot oil might help in addressing yeast infections, as it could weaken the bad bacteria (1)(8). The antifungal and antibacterial backdrop of coconut oil can forbid skin infections. However, information technology should be used under pediatric guidance only.

21. Soft Spot

Traditionally, it is believed that massaging with coconut oil tin harden soft spots in babies. These soft spots, which are known as fontanelles, are normal gaps in a neonate's skull that let your baby's brain to abound rapidly in the get-go year of life (nineteen). The apply of coconut oil to massage the baby's head to harden the soft spot is anecdotal. In that location are no specific studies to back up this belief. So, consult a pediatrician if yous are planning to utilise kokosnoot oil to massage your baby's caput.

Coconut oil is usually safe to utilize topically only may not adapt all when administered orally.

Side-Furnishings Of Using Coconut Oil

Although rare, coconut oil tin be allergic. Coconut allergy, if nowadays, can be both topical and oral. There are some cases in which people with a tree nut or hazelnut allergy may be allergic to coconuts as well. This phenomenon is chosen cross-reactivity (21).

Next, we respond a few normally asked questions about coconut oil use for babies.

Often Asked Questions

i. Tin can I employ coconut oil for heat rashes on my baby?

Avert applying any oil over heat rashes. They tend to worsen the rashes by clogging the pores and trapping the moisture in the skin.

2. Can I employ coconut oil for my baby's hair growth?

The topical application of coconut oil might assist in keeping your baby'due south hair polish and shiny. But for healthy growth, your baby needs balanced nutrition and optimum hydration. When used right, kokosnoot oil may help your baby take practiced hair growth.

Coconut oil is gaining momentum as one of the versatile oils beyond the globe. Its use in home remedies has increased owing to its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. While some uses of coconut for babies are well documented, many others are non.  Hence, irrespective of the reason for use, pediatric consultation before apply is mandatory. Likewise, while yous select coconut oil for your baby, expect for the healthiest option available. Whether it is for topical use or oral, information technology is better to choose organic virgin kokosnoot oil over processed or hydrogenated types.

Did y'all apply kokosnoot oil for your babe? Share your views and experiences in the comments section below.

References:

MomJunction'southward manufactures are written after analyzing the inquiry works of skilful authors and institutions. Our references consist of resource established past authorities in their corresponding fields. You can learn more than about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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Dr. Kondekar Santosh is a Mumbai-based pediatrician and specializes in child health, nutrition, and growth, respiratory and neurological issues. He graduated from Male monarch Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College in 1998. He completed his Diplomate in National Board (DNB) in New Delhi, 2003. With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Kondekar currently practices at the Topiwala National... more

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist and toddler mom with over eight years of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR projection coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in different organizations. Her interest in scientific writing... more