9 Ways to use coconut oil for babies & bull; hello healthy

Cleaning the baby's body cannot be done carelessly because the skin is still sensitive, so it is prone to irritation or allergic reactions. This makes parents need to choose products that are suitable for the child's skin condition and suitable. One that can be used is coconut oil, which is well known for its various benefits for adults. Then what are the benefits of coconut oil for babies? The following is the full explanation.

Various benefits of coconut oil for babies

Coconut oil is often referred to as a multipurpose oil that can be used for various needs. Starting from cooking to baby skin care. However, are the benefits of coconut oil for babies the same as for adults?

1. Treating eczema

Quoting from National Eczema, coconut oil has the ability to penetrate the skin quickly which is responsible for:

Increase skin moisture
Increase skin elasticity
Against itching due to eczema
Reduces infection

Not only that, coconut oil is also effective at reducing bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Coconut oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect the baby's skin.

Applying virgin coconut oil for 8 weeks also improves skin hydration in children and newborns suffering from eczema or atopic dermatitis.

Coconut oil can also have benefits for treating seborrheic or dermatitis cradle cap on the scalp of the baby.

This disease is caused by a fungus which in adults usually appears in the form of dandruff.

Coconut oil is an antifungal agent that can help treat seborrheic dermatitis in babies.

2. Treat diaper rash

Nearly all babies have experienced diaper rash. To treat the rash and prevent it from coming back, you can apply coconut oil to the skin affected by diaper rash.

Although there are no studies that specifically discuss the effects of coconut oil on diaper rash, this oil can reduce itching and irritation.

This can help provide a new layer of skin that protects the skin affected by diaper rash.

In research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, coconut oil has properties to accelerate wound healing.

This makes coconut oil beneficial for treating diaper rash in babies.

3. Dense the baby's hair

Quoting from Harvard T.H Chan, coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA).

These types of fatty acids have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that help build up sebum from the hair follicles.

In addition, coconut oil contains vitamins E and K which are useful for stimulating hair roots to become stronger and grow faster.

To feel the benefits of coconut oil for babies, apply it to the scalp after bathing so that the oil is more absorbed. Massage gently to promote hair growth.

4. Treating insect bites

A baby's skin that is bitten by an insect will redden, become inflamed, and swell faster than an adult's skin.

Babies can also become fussy if the bite is hot or itchy. Therefore, immediately overcome with coconut oil.

Apply this oil on the bitten skin and let it sit for a few moments. Repeat until the skin appears to heal as usual.

Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties so it can treat insect bites.

5. Protects skin from irritation

The benefits of coconut oil for babies don't need a moisturizer yet. However, the weather, sunburn, or room temperature can sometimes dry out your baby's skin.

If left untreated, dry skin will become irritated. Coconut oil can be a safe choice to protect your baby's skin from irritation.

The trick is to apply it to the baby's skin after rubbing it on the palms of the hands until they feel warm.

Types of coconut oil for babies

Coconut oil has benefits for many things, from cooking to beauty care to baby's skin.

Here are three types of coconut oil that can be used on babies:

Pure coconut oil

This oil is extracted from the coconut flesh that is dried in the sun.

The trick is to grind and crush the dried coconut flesh until the oil comes out. Refined coconut oil does not contain any added chemicals.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO)

The most visible difference from Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is in the extraction process.

VCO is taken from coconut milk so that it does not undergo a drying process and is not heated in the sun.

So the aroma of VCO is fresher than virgin coconut oil. In addition, the antioxidants contained in VCO are also richer because they do not go through heating.