As a mom, I know how important it is to use natural products with our children. Their little bodies are so delicate and we want to start them off with a healthy foundation. If you’ve looked for natural remedies for babies, you’ve probably stumbled on coconut oil. What you may not have realized is that there are tons of coconut oil uses for babies, so this needs to be a staple for every new mom!
After my daughter was born, I found myself reaching coconut oil to cure everything from cradle cap to teething. But I realized, that you need a certain grade of it to get the full benefits. I will cover what kind of coconut oil is good for babies, a little later on
Disclaimer: This blog post is only intended for educational use. Talk to your child’s pediatrician before trying coconut oil on them. There is a chance that they are allergic to it, so you need to be prepared for that.
23 Coconut Oil Uses for Babies
Most moms don’t realize how versatile coconut oil is for babies. This natural soother will help you heal (almost) anything that your baby is struggling with.
If you don’t have this in your house already, you are definitely going to want to grab a jar – just in case you need it!
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1. Sunburn Protection
It doesn’t take long or a lot of sunlight for babies to get burned. Coconut oil only provides about 4 SPF alone. But when it is combined with other natural SPF ingredients, it can be an awesome alternative to store bought sunscreens.
Here is an awesome homemade sunscreen recipe that will protect your baby from the sun!
2. Relieve Teething Pain
When babies start teething, the process can be painful for both infants and parents. No parent enjoys seeing and listening to their baby cry. Rubbing a drop of coconut oil on your child’s gums or teething toy can temporarily soothe the pain. Since coconut oil is organic, parents don’t have to worry about additives found in over-the-counter remedies.
I’ve also heard of moms mixing coconut oil with cloves, to help numb their baby’s gums. This is something I would check with a pediatric dentist with before trying, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.
3. Headlice
This usually isn’t a problem in infants, though exposure can happen. Usually, it’s from older siblings that picked up lice in school. If your baby does have headlice, you need to get rid of the tiny bugs. Medicated shampoos are fine for older children and adults, but are too harsh for babies’ sensitive skin. Coconut oil is a gentle and effective way to get rid of headlice.
How it works is simple. Apply coconut oil to your baby’s hair. The slick oil will prevent lice from attaching to the baby’s hair. The thick oil also suffocates the lice so all parents have to do is wash the dead lice out of their child’s hair.
Check Out this guide for how to use coconut oil to get rid of lice!
4. Allergies
Babies can get allergies, and coconut oil can be used to help prevent the symptoms. Rub a couple of drops around and just inside your baby’s nostrils. The oil will trap pollen before it enters the nasal passages, preventing any symptoms from developing.
5. Soothing Massage
Sometimes the best way to soothe a fussy baby is with a gentle massage. It can also help babies fall asleep faster. Applying coconut oil to the baby’s skin is not only calming, but its anti-bacterial properties can also help boost infant immune systems.
Check out these helpful benefits of using coconut oil for massage on babies.
6. Relieves Eczema + Dry Patches
Eczema is common in babies, though they usually grow out of it. Eczema is characterized by dry, itchy skin. Using coconut oil after a bath and before bed can moisturize the dry skin, which in turn relieves itchy. You do need to use the oil regularly to notice any skin improvement.
If you aren’t sure of how to use it, check out this guide from Medical News Today!
7. Ease and Prevent Diaper Rash
Almost every parent has dealt with diaper rash. It is commonly used by a diaper’s inability to absorb urine.
Applying coconut oil after every diaper change can relieve and prevent diaper rash. The oil has anti-fungal properties that help treat existing diaper rash. The oil also forms a protective barrier between your baby’s skin and the diaper, preventing the rash from occurring.
For a more in-depth how-to on using coconut oil for diaper rashes, you should read this!
A little later, I’m going to share some of the best diaper rash creams that include coconut oil!
[If your baby keeps peeing on you, these tips will prevent it from happening!]
8. Clear Up Baby Acne
Babies can get breakouts, and the small bumps can be itchy and swollen. To clear up the red bumps and eliminate any bacteria, apply coconut oil to your baby’s skin. Coconut oil contains lauric acid that has proven effective at killing acne-causing bacteria. The moisturizing oil can also prevent scarring as the acne clears up.
9. Add Coconut Oil to Baby Food
Coconut oil can be used in cooking as a replacement for other oils. It is safe to eat, and will not add a strong taste to your food. Many moms add it to purees to increase its nutritional value.
Babies need plenty of fat and calories to maintain their growth and development, coconut oil is a healthy way to ensure your child is getting these necessary nutrients.
10. Ease Constipation
Constipation can be painful. It can also be dangerous if it lasts for an extended period. A ½ teaspoon of coconut oil added to your baby’s food can gently ease digestion and give babies soothing relief.
11. Cure Cradle Cap
Cradle Cap is common in infants. The dry, flaky skin on your baby’s head is usually caused by hormonal changes that occur right before birth. Similar to dandruff, the condition can clear up on its own but coconut oil can speed up the process thanks to its antibacterial properties.
Just rub a few drops on your baby’s scalp and let the oil absorb into the skin. For a full guide, check out this step by step guide from Health Line.
12. Soothe Chapped Lips
If your baby has chapped lips, not only are they painful it can also interfere with breast and bottle feeding. Rub a few drops of coconut oil across your baby’s lips. The oil will soothe and also form a protective barrier, trapping moisture in.
13. Burn Treatment
Hopefully, you will never need to use coconut oil for a burn on your baby, but if you do it is effective at relieving pain, redness, and blistering. Coconut oil is naturally cooling. Apply the oil immediately after the burn happens, and regularly until it is healed. Regular applications of the oil can also reduce or eliminate scarring.
This also works well for sun burns. It helps it to heal faster and soothes it!
14. Treat Ear Infections
Ear infections are painful, even for adults. They are more so for babies. Using an eyedropper, place a few drops of warmed coconut oil in the infected ear. You want to do this when your baby is lying down so the oil doesn’t run out. After it sets for a minute, gently wipe it out. Repeat this step twice a day until the ear infection is gone.
15. Tame Unruly Hair
Some babies have hair that refuses to lay down or it may be difficult to comb. Using a small amount of coconut oil with their baby shampoo, can moisturize and smooth wild baby hair.
Coconut oil massaged into your baby’s scalp can also stimulate hair growth. The oil can also keep proteins in the follicle for stronger, healthier hair. Healthy hair is usually more manageable, and easier to brush, comb, and style.
16. Could Help Repel Bugs
There are no concrete studies that prove that it’s as beneficial as bug spray, but there is some evidence it might be better than DEET!. But if you have an infant under 6 months old, it’s worth it to give it a try, since they can’t use insect repellent.
Simply apply it to your baby’s skin prior to going outdoors. You can add baby safe essential oils for some added protection.
17. Soothes Itchy Insect Bites
If you didn’t know about using coconut oil to repel insects, you can use it on their bites. It can help to sooth the itching and protects it from dirt and bacteria getting into it.
18. Baby Toothpaste
If you’ve heard of oil pulling, you may have guessed that coconut oil can be used as a toothpaste for your baby. It helps to prevent plaque build up, which is an added benefit! I like that you don’t need to worry about your baby swallowing it.
I LOVE this homemade toothpaste by Smart Living Mama! It has so many awesome reviews and it’s really easy to make.
19. Chest Rub for Colds
Remember when your mom would rub Vicks on your chest? This is a much healthier alternative that you can try. Simply mix coconut oil and essential oils that will help your child with congestion.
If your baby is 6 months or older, you need to make this Baby + Toddler Chest Rub from Buona Pappa!
20. Speed Up Healing Process for Wounds
Many moms swear that coconut oil helps to heal wounds faster! I’ve tried it and noticed that it works really well. But, I still find that breast milk heals wounds infinitely faster!
Simply put a thin layer on the wound and put a bandaid on it, just to ensure that it doesn’t get on your baby’s clothes.
21. As a Nipple Cream
I know this isn’t really for baby, but your baby causes sore nipples… so I’m including it! I love that it’s natural which means your baby can nurse immediately after applying it.
This is an amazing simple nipple cream recipe that you should try from The Elliott Homestead!
22. To Treat Thrush
If you are breastfeeding, you may struggle with thrush. Try taking a little bit of coconut oil daily to act as an ant-fungal.
For your baby, rub some coconut oil on their mouth and that’s it!
23. Hang Nails
You know how it feels to get a hang nail! Gosh they hurt so bad. Coconut Oil can soothe the pain and to help them heal faster.
How Does Coconut Oil Benefit Babies?
Coconut oil is high in healthy fat and calories, babies need both of these. It is safe to add to baby food, and a few drops can also resolve constipation. The oil is also an excellent moisturizer and it is considered safe to use on your baby’s skin and hair.
You do want to be cautious the first time you use coconut oil on your baby. Start by only applying a small amount to the skin. Babies have extremely sensitive skin, and some parents have reported a rash developing after using coconut oil. It’s always better to be overly cautious when you are using new products on infants.
The Best Coconut Oil for Your Baby
There are only a few things to look for when you a buying coconut oil for your baby. You want the oil to be organic so you can be sure it is free from chemicals and additives. This also applies to the refinement process. If you purchased refined oil, make sure that chemicals were not used in the
Unrefined coconut oil is the best for babies. You can use the oil in foods and low-heat cooking.
If you buy the oil in its solid form, it is easier to store. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated and has a shelf life up to two-years. Liquids do need to be chilled after opening, and have a shorter shelf life. One is not necessarily better than the other, it often depends on personal preference which type of coconut oil is best for your baby.
There are several types and brands of cooking oil on the market. This can make it seem almost impossible to choose the best one for your baby. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best three in no particular order.
1. Viva Naturals Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
2. Nature’s Way Coconut Oil
3. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil Products Made For Babies
Here are some of the BEST Coconut Oil Products that are made for babies:
1. SKINNY + CO. Pure Baby Coconut Oil
1. Cocobelle Baby Pure Coconut Oil
In Conclusion
Whether your little one is in need of coconut oil for its healing properties or you are adding it to their diet, this oil is super versatile. There are so many coconut oil uses for babies so be sure to keep a jar of unrefined in your pantry, just in case you are to need it!
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