Top 5 Virgin Coconut Oil benefits for babies

Wondering what the top 5 Virgin Coconut Oil benefits for babies are? We've got tips from preventing nappy rashes to giving your baby a great massage!

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL AND YOUR BABY: 5 WAYS YOUR CHILD WILL BENEFIT

Known as the healthiest oil on earth because of its high levels of lauric acid and antioxidants, virgin coconut oil (VCO) has long been used in Asia and Latin America as an all-in-one natural remedy for everything you can think of -- indigestion, skin problems, high cholesterol and even weight loss.

VCO is relatively cheap and is harvested so commonly in the Philippines that a lot of Pinoys take it for granted. But now, trendy health-conscious moms all over the world are taking advantage of virgin coconut oil, using it as an all- around chemical-free super oil that’s not just good for adults, but best for babies, too. And it’s high time for nakikuso Filipina moms to jump in the VCO baby bandwagon and utilize this inexpensive and highly accessible product.

Baby benefit #1: Goodbye, nappy rashes

There are so many creams out in the market that claim to treat nappy rash effectively, but the chemical content of these nappy creams are oftentimes off the charts. Virgin coconut oil is an all-natural nappy rash solution, which, when applied to the affected areas, provides natural protection, prevents further irritation, and moisturizes and nourishes irritated skin.

Precisely because of its healing properties, VCO is also an effective treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. An added plus? VCO won’t leave your baby’s bum smelling like a medicine cabinet.

Baby benefit #2: Scrub off cradle cap successfully

Can’t seem to get rid of all the flaky skin on your baby’s scalp and face? Virgin coconut oil has amazing moisturizing and antimicrobial properties that not only loosens cradle cap and scaly skin, but nourishes as well. Just massage a dollop of virgin coconut oil on the area, leave for a few minutes, then gently slough off the dead skin with a soft-bristled brush or moist washcloth.

Baby benefit #3: Effective treatment for candida and oral thrush

Because virgin coconut oil has an antifungal makeup, it can also help treat the yeast that causes both oral thrush and candida. A little swab of oil inside the baby’s mouth, as well as a small amount applied on mommy’s nipples, can be very effective and leave mother and child virtually fungus-free.

Baby benefit #4: Best for baby’s skin

Vitamin E and antioxidant-rich virgin coconut oil is the best moisturizer and massage oil you can possibly get for your baby primarily because its chemical makeup makes it safely and easily absorbed by your baby’s skin. In addition, one of its major benefits is that is has actual healing properties that help heal and nourish the skin in the long run. Best of all, a little goes a long way; whether you use it on its own or combine it with an organic soap during bath time, just a small amount of oil will leave your baby moisturized – and smelling delicious – for hours.

Baby benefit #5: Great for baby’s nutrition and digestive system

Lastly, breast milk and coconut oil share one thing in common: both are rich in lauric acid, a potent, fatty, antimicrobial acid that helps boost baby’s immune system and aids in the proper digestion of nutrients. So once you reach the 6-month mark and start feeding solids to your infant, why not can further enrich your baby’s lauric acid intake by substituting it in place of your cooking oil or by mixing in coconut oil in your baby’s usual food.

But before you head to your nearest palengke or health or organic store, do remember to look for virgin coconut oil that’s organic, unrefined, and pure; extra virgin coconut oil will let you reap the full benefits of this wonder oil.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mel Lozano

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