5 Effective Ways to Use Coconut Oil on Baby

There are so many chemicals used in skincare products that haven’t been around long enough to test their long-term safety. Our skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs what is put on it. The toxins and carcinogens we eat can be filtered out through the gastrointestinal tract and the liver but our skin has no such defense. Choosing to use organic (pesticide free), natural ingredients is the absolute best thing you can do for your skin. Rule of thumb: try to avoid putting anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat or can’t pronounce. But do beware, not all botanicals are safe for use. (1) Coconut oil is clinically proven not only to be safe, but effective as a moisturizer and in wound healing. 

Photo by Horia Varlan via Flickr

Is Coconut Oil Really Effective?

Effective as a Moisturizer

In January 2014, a study was completed on pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disease where the skin can’t hold water resulting in dry skin and inflammation. After eight weeks of topical mineral oil versus virgin coconut oil, it was found that the coconut oil resulted in a higher skin moisture reading. (2)

Effective in Wound Healing

When skin is damaged, there are three main stages that take place in order for healing to take place: inflammation, new blood cell and granulation tissue formation and tissue remodeling. A study completed with the help of some nice rats showed that virgin coconut oil stimulated a higher turnover of collagen and showed antioxidant enzyme activity when compared with the control group. (3)

Effective as an Antimicrobial 

It has been well researched and established that coconut oil is an effective and natural antimicrobial agent. This is due to it’s rich content of lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid. This study found, “…lauric acid is the most inhibitory saturated fatty acid against gram-positive organisms” (some forms of bacteria). It is also effective against fungi, viruses, and protozoa. (5)

Photo by John Revo Puno via Flickr Image altered

5 Effective Ways to Use Coconut Oil on Baby

Using natural products on babies is imperative.

Their skin to body weight ratio is high, meaning that what they absorb from the skin will end up in larger concentrations in the body compared to an adult. Since the day my first baby was born, I have been obsessed with finding natural products that actually work. Truthfully, coconut oil can take the place of many baby items you put in your shopping cart. And it does work! 

1. Eliminating Small Red Bumps Around the Mouth and Chin

Our little girl eats us out of house and home, literally. She loves food and I swear is always eating. Recently, I noticed right as each meal or snack began that she developed small red bumps around her mouth and on her chin that would linger long after the meal. I suspected it was either a localized reaction to the food’s acidity or a small skin infection that would flare up when food touched it.

Knowing coconut oil can help with skin infections, I decided to apply Aviva Pure Unrefined, Virgin, Organic, Coconut Oil Cream to the bumps after eating for a couple days. Almost immediately, the bumps quickly disappeared without a trace. I still don’t know what the cause was, all I know is that they are now gone! 

2. Assisting in Healing Minor Cuts/Scrapes/Burns

Wild as can be, Jocelyn seems to have no fear with physical feats. Unfortunately so, she has already gotten her fair share of bumps, cuts and bruises. As research has shown above, virgin coconut oil is effective as an antimicrobial and speeds up wound healing. Because of this, I now apply organic coconut oil cream to any minor scratches and cuts. 

3.  Treating Diaper Rash

Like her momma, Jocelyn has sensitive, dermagraphic skin. I’ve worked hard to prevent diaper rash by making my own baby wipes and using the most natural products possible. However, we still fight rashes especially during teething time and if she’s had too much dairy. The following is the most effective method to treat diaper rash that I have found:

• NO COMMERCIAL DIAPER WIPES. They are full of chemicals and irritants to the skin. Click here to learn how to easily make them.
• Make sure skin is thoroughly dry before applying any ointment or replacing diaper.
• After cleaning baby’s bottom apply:
  • Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
  • Aviva Pure Unrefined, Virgin, Organic, Coconut Oil Cream
  • Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

The above healed Jocelyn’s worst rash in a day.

4. Moisturizes Scaly Skin

Baby skin is the softest, most irresistible thing to touch. The last thing you want to do is let that perfect supple skin dry out. Virgin coconut oil not only is proven to moisturize but it also makes baby smell like she’s been kissed by the Hawaiian sun. It is the only moisturizer I use on my precious baby.

Lotions and creams marketed for babies contain chemicals that are toxic in high doses. For example a leading “natural” baby lotion contains Distearyldimonium Chloride, among others. (Click here to see a list of other products that contain this chemical.) The toxicity report designates it as “moderately to very toxic” if ingested. Yes, the amount of the chemical needed to cause toxicity would be enormous, but why let baby absorb something like this when there is a perfectly natural, edible substitute that works better.  

5. Baby Massage

“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant.  Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.” Frederick Leboyer, M.D. 

The link between massage and enhanced physical and emotional health is well researched and documented. Massage with coconut oil is even better. A scientific review showed the use of coconut oil during massage enhanced the average weight gain of premature infants when compared to massage alone (without oil).

Massage is not only beneficial for pre-term infants. It was shown that infants and toddlers who were given 15 minute massages by their parents before bed went to sleep faster and were more alert while awake compared to children who were read bedtime stories. (6) 

 Aviva Pure’s Organic Coconut Oil Cream 

I was graciously given the opportunity to try Aviva Pure’s Organic Coconut Oil Cream. After researching the company, I was genuinely pleased with what I learned:

Aviva Pure is the first skincare line that utilizes a centrifuge to separate the oil from the coconut milk. All impurities are then removed to result in the purest form of coconut oil appropriate for use on the skin. Not only this, but Aviva Pure has teamed up with One Tree Planted to donate one dollar from every order they receive, to go towards planting a new tree in places like the Amazon Rainforest, Indonesian Forests, African Forests and the Boreal Forest.

Now, while I’m a huge Amazon fan, they don’t exactly help smaller businesses or do campaigns like this to help give back to this world we take so much from. For this reason alone, if you can, choose to purchase directly from Aviva Pure. Not only that, they are quick to ship and offer a 90 day money back guarantee. If you are not happy with the results, you are able to return the item(s) for a complete refund. 

If you decide to make the switch, enjoy the peace of mind coconut oil can be for your baby!

(1) Pickart, Loren. Reverse Skin Aging: Using Your Skin’s Natural Power. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Bellevue, WA: Cape San Juan, 2005.