Cuckoo for Coconut: 10 Uses of Coconut Oil for Baby Care

Coconut oil has been quite the trending oil for us adults, it’s super versatile and healthy to use. It’s a natural product that can treat almost anything. Remember baby skin is very sensitive and we need to be careful of what we put on it. Let’s cut out the chemicals and go au naturel. Here’s ten quick ways you can use coconut oil for your little one.

1. Diaper Rash Cream

Seeing those painful red rashes on your baby can be quite worrying. Another worry on top of that is choosing the right product to help treat and not antagonize the rash. All you need to do is apply coconut oil to the affected area. The thick oil acts as a barrier and prevents any further irritation, and the coconut oil will nourish and treat the irritated skin.

2. Body Lotion

Coconut oil is full of vitamins and healthy fats, this makes it the perfect moisturizer. Your baby’s skin is already beautifully soft and there’s no need to lather it with lotions/creams. However, if you do find any dry patches, a quick dab of coconut oil will help keep the area moisturized whilst protecting it from further irritation.

3. Homemade Baby Wash

Sounds strange but is simple and straightforward to do. All you need is equal parts coconut oil, castile soap (you can buy organic, chemical-free castile soap) and water. Mix the ingredients together and voila. The coconut oil has a delicious natural scent, so you don’t have to add any essential oils as fragrance. So, say goodbye to using chemical products and hello to homemade. You’ll be feeling very in tune with Mother Earth after making the switch and it’s a great tip to pass on to other moms. They’ll be super impressed with you.

4. Cradle Cap Treatment

It’s hard out here for a baby, from diaper rashes to cradle cap…. can these little ones catch a break? The good news is yes………. coconut oil to the rescue. Treat cradle cap by massaging the oil directly onto your baby’s scalp and leave for about 20 minutes. The coconut oil acts as a moisturizer and loosens the cradle cap flakes while nourishing the scalp. After twenty minutes, rinse the coconut oil off and use a soft brush to gently comb the hair and remove any loose flakes.

5. Baby Toothpaste

How adorable is it when your baby gets their first tooth? Cuteness overload!! But the daunting part is keeping it clean and finding a ‘good’ toothpaste. There are several supposedly safe options on the market but if you’re like me and don’t want to start using toothpaste on your baby too early, try coconut oil. Simply, take a small amount of coconut oil on your fingers and gently dab on your baby’s gums. Once they get their first tooth gently massage in the same way, in the morning and evening. Coconut oil is an effective teeth whitener and helps keep gums clean from infection.

6. Teething

Not only can coconut oil clean teeth but it can soothe too. Teething can be stressful time for your baby and coconut oil can provide some relief due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The discomfort your baby feels can be lessened by taking some coconut oil and dabbing it on your baby’s gums. The inflammation caused by teething should reduce and your baby will be less irritable! Happy faces all around!

7. Baby Massage

Wow after all the hard work you’ve been putting in, you would think it’s you who’s deserving of a massage. Well think again because you’re going from mommy to masseuse! Massages are highly beneficial for your baby and is a great bonding moment.  Some baby massage oils are made from petroleum which isn’t something many mamas would knowingly rub onto their newborn’s skin. So best practice is to make your own, by taking one-part coconut oil and one-part olive oil and mixing together-then get to massaging!

8. Baby Acne

Who would have thought you would be dealing with acne so soon?! it supposed to be a crisis in your child’s teenage years but alas, it can appear on babies due to their skin being so sensitive. They can easily suffer breakouts which can be itchy and uncomfortable. Coconut oil can ease the situation again due to its anti- inflammatory properties. Plus, it has antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antifungal properties which help the skin to heal.

9. Smooth Frizzy Hair

It can be a difficult task combing your baby’s hair, they may not enjoy it, but you can’t have them rocking a frizzy hairdo on the daily. Babies spend most of their first few months lying down causing their hair to get messy in certain spots. Applying coconut oil can be a great way to defrizz the hair and acts as a hair conditioner too.  Warm up some coconut oil between your hands and apply to your baby’s head, especially in areas that need a little extra love!

10. Removal of Meconium

A newborn baby’s first stools are called meconium. Meconium is a dark, tar-like substance created in the baby’s digestive system and is difficult to remove from newborn babies’ bottoms. Diaper wipes and warm soapy wash clothes just smear the substance around. Coconut oil is one of the best substances for removing meconium, and it also leaves a protective barrier on the baby’s bottom, which makes future meconium clean up easier. In fact, some midwives recommend putting oil on the newborn’s bottom before any meconium appears to ease the first diaper change.

So, there you have it, ten ways to use coconut oil on your baby! Not only will coconut oil save you money, it will be better for the planet and better for your baby’s skin.  However, please make sure you ensure there are no allergies to coconut running in your family and do a small test spot before you fully commit to using. It’s always good to talk to your pediatrician too if you have any further queries about coconut oil usage.  

We would love to hear any other suggestion or recipes you may have regarding usage of coconut oil!