Stop! Don’t put just any lotion on that baby skin.
You know (right?) that anything you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Think about it. Why else would those prescription patches work?
The last thing you want to do is add insult to injury and slather your skin with a concoction of chemicals, additives, and oftentimes downright poisons. Chances are, you’re probably already getting far too many of those lovely substances from the air you breathe or the food you eat.
And if you’ve got an infant, you definitely want to be sure to use as many natural products as possible. That delicate baby skin is even more sensitive than our own!
The sheer number of baby care products on the market today is astonishing. So many different brands, formulations and ingredients, and, well, too many promises made. You want to keep that delicate baby skin soft and healthy, but how do you know which product is best?
Sometimes simple really is better.
Look no further than your kitchen pantry! Often referred to as “the healthiest oil in the world”, coconut oil (preferably unrefined, organic, virgin) is perfect for delicate baby skin (and it’ll do wonders for YOUR skin, too)!
Coconut oil with its antioxidants and lauric acid (same as in breastmilk) is even anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antimicrobial. It doesn’t get much better than that!
A Natural Massage Oil & Moisturizer
Coconut oil (solid at room temperature) melts easily into your hands and into baby’s skin. It’s perfect for using on baby’s body right after bath. And don’t forget to follow it with a gentle massage. Good for baby on many levels! Good for your hands, too.
Perfect for Treating Cradle Cap
Coconut oil works beautifully on this common condition. Simply rub a small amount of oil onto baby’s scalp, and gently slough off the dead skin using a very soft-bristled baby brush or a fine-toothed baby comb. Remove excess oil by gently rubbing baby’s head with a warm washcloth.
Treating Diaper Rash
Apply coconut oil generously for a surprisingly wonderful way to treat even this condition!
For Big Babies, Too
Go ahead. Spoil yourself a little. You’ll love how soft your hands and feet will be after only one application of coconut oil. Do what I do and keep one jar in the kitchen and one in the bathroom so you won’t forget right after you step out of the shower.
Used for Centuries by Mothers
Love this tradition of the Carib Indians in welcoming new infants. When the child is about 3 weeks old, the women gather at the home of the new parents and following a naming ceremony, they pamper the new baby with daily massages for about a week using… what else? … coconut oil!
Daily massages with coconut oil? Oh baby!
Rhonda Burns writes for PleaseHelpMeRhonda.com and blogs for the North Florida Spine and Wellness Institute in Tallahassee, Florida. She is also author of 30 Ways to Effectively Market Your Business, available on Amazon Kindle.
