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Uncovering the Best Coconut Oil for Baby Needs

March 15, 2022

The best coconut oil for baby skin is Cocobelle Baby, while Nature’s Way is the best coconut oil to use in your little one’s food.

People aren't just becoming more concerned about what they put into their own bodies, they are also taking note of how their babies eat as well. This is why, over the last few years, I have had more clients fine-tuning their children’s diets. As a result, I am often asked about using coconut oil in their food as well as on their skin.

This is why I created this post. Here you will be able to discover the top safest products for your baby. I will also give you some insight into which features you should be checking out when making your own choices.

Here is your list:

Best Coconut Oil for Babies

Here are the top coconut oils for your little one, based on their function:

The Best Coconut Oil for Baby Skin

This is a baby-specific product that ensures the highest quality standards.

What we Like:

  • Well-Sourced: the coconuts used for this oil are organically and ethically sourced. This ensures a much safer and more reliable oil.
  • Versatile Use: you can use this oil to moisturize skin, get rid of eczema, treat cradle cap, and a whole lot more.
  • Gentle on Skin: the coconut oil is quite gentle on the skin making it suitable for most babies of all ages.

What we Don't Like:

  • A Bit Messy to Use: this oil has a tendency to be liquid at most temperatures. As such, it can be rather messy to use at times.

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This is another coconut oil that has been specifically produced for the delicate skin of babies.

What we Like:

  • Ultra Filtrated: the product has undergone even more filtration to ensure that it is completely free from any kind of debris or unwanted substances.
  • Incredibly Moisturizing: this oil is great for hydrating your little ones skin and helps to prevent or treat skin conditions relating to dry skin.
  • Highly Nutritive: the coconut oil is cold-pressed to ensure that more of the nutrients are preserved in the oil.

What we Don't Like:

  • Expensive: this is a great deal more expensive than the other brands.

Although it’s not specifically designed for babies, this oil is still safe and effective for little ones.

What we Like:

  • USDA-Certified Organic: you can be absolutely certain that you are getting the very best quality with this coconut oil.
  • Multiple Uses: this can be used for hydration on a daily basis or for specifically treating cradle cap, eczema, etc.
  • Affordable: if you don’t want to invest too much in your coconut oil but still want good value, this brand will do the trick.

What we Don't Like:

  • Liquid Consistency: the consistency is more liquid which can make it difficult to use at times.

The Best Coconut Oil for Diet

If you are looking for a well-sourced and carefully processed cooking coconut oil, this is it.

What we Like:

  • Great Quality: this is organic, virgin coconut oil that is completely unbleached. As such, you can guarantee that it is wholesome and safe.
  • Higher in Nutrients: as it is cold-processed, the oil contains more nutrients, including a higher amount of MCTs.
  • Works Well in Baby Foods: it can be mixed in with a wide variety of baby and toddler foods.

What we Don't Like:

  • Can Be Tricky to Melt: this coconut oil solidifies rather easily, meaning that it can take some time to melt down.

This is a versatile coconut oil that can easily be added to most kinds of foods.

What we Like:

  • All Natural: it is USDA-certified organic, cold processed, and completely pure. Due to this, you can be certain that you are using wholesome ingredients in your little one’s food.
  • Light Flavor: the flavor is very light and so is unnoticeable when added to foods.
  • Great Texture: it melts easily making it a breeze to mix with other ingredients.

What we Don't Like:

  • Can Burn at Higher Temperatures: don’t heat the coconut oil too high as it may burn.

If you want coconut oil that will improve the texture of baby food, this is a great option for you.

What we Like:

  • Good Quality: this oil has been carefully selected and processed. This ensures that your little one is only getting the very best ingredients.
  • Rich and Creamy: adds a nice creamy texture to baby food making it more appealing.
  • Easy to Cook With: the oil is rather easy to cook with, allowing you to include in recipes quickly.

What we Don't Like:

  • Slightly Higher Saturated Fat Level: there are a bit more saturated fats in this than the other brands. As such, you should use sparingly.

These is all the coconut oil that you can use for your baby. As you can see, there is an option for both cooking as well as skincare.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Babies

There have been a few different coconut oil uses for babies.

However, you should be aware that these studies can be limited.

As such, more research needs to be done to appreciate the full extent of the advantages.

Coconut Oil for Baby Eczema

It isn’t uncommon for babies to be diagnosed with eczema.

So, can coconut oil treat this condition?

Well, it does appear to be rather effective against eczema.

It can help to reduce redness and even moisturize the skin to prevent dryness and flakiness.

Coconut Oil for Baby Massage

In some parts of the world, coconut oil is used for massaging babies, particularly preterm infants.

This technique has resulted in the overall improvement of these babies health.

Through topical application, these babies experienced:

  • Fewer rates of infection
  • Less water loss
  • Better skin condition

It isn’t clear how coconut oil may be helpful to full-term or older babies.

For now, though, the research does seem to suggest that coconut oil for newborn skin can improve or maintain the overall skin condition.

Coconut Oil in a Bottle

Coconut Oil in Baby Food

In some cases, coconut oil is added to baby formula.

As such, there is a precedent of using coconut oil in baby food.

This is often done to boost the fat percentage of the food and help babies to put on weight.

In terms of actual nutritional benefits, though, there isn’t much information.

So, while you can technically use coconut oil in your baby’s food, there is no guarantee about how it may help.

Is Coconut Oil Safe for Babies?

The most important question on every parent’s mind is: is coconut safe for little ones?

For the most part, it does appear to be perfectly safe for babies.

There is evidence of doctors using coconut oil for infants without any issues.

As such, you should be able to use coconut oil topically and orally for your baby.

At the same time, it is important to always check with your doctor first.

They will be able to tell you if this is a good decision or not.

Can Babies Be Allergic to Coconut Oil?

Coconut allergies are rare – but not unheard of.

Some of the symptoms that you may notice include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • hives
  • rash
  • eczema
  • diarrhea
  • anaphylaxis

It is also possible to suffer from a contact allergy as well. Here, you may observe:

  • Skin rash
  • Blisters on the skin

The possibility of an allergy is the main reason to always check with a doctor before giving or using coconut oil on your baby.

Furthermore, always introduce coconut oil into their diet or onto their skin slowly and with small amounts.

After the initial dose, watch for any adverse reactions developing over the next few days.

If you don’t see any, you can proceed with using coconut oil.

What You Should Know About Using Coconut Oil for Babies

There are a few things that you should be aware of when using coconut oil for little ones:

For Skin

As mentioned, coconut oil allergies are rather rare.

Due to this, you shouldn’t have any issue using it on your little one’s skin.

Nevertheless, moderation is key here.

The oil can clog up pores leading to breakouts on your little one’s skin.

And, if you do notice any changes occurring to the skin once you have used coconut oil, discontinue it.

Related Reading
Coconut Oil for Cradle Cap: The Do’s, Don’ts, and Everything in Between

In Food

It should be noted that coconut oil can be rather high in saturated fat.  

Like adults, children need to have balanced diets, consuming as few saturated fats as possible.

Thus, if you do use it in your child’s food, make sure to use it sparingly.

What’s more, don’t add coconut oil to their food on a daily basis. Instead, switch things up with other plant-based oils.

If you notice any changes to your child’s stools or bowel movements, you should stop adding the oil to their food.

Mother and Baby Massage Time

Choosing Coconut Oil for Infants

You also need to know how to choose coconut oil for your baby.

As you are well aware, infant skin is delicate and sensitive.

Due to this, you need to use oils that are free of any impurities and that haven’t been overly processed.

For this purpose, choose virgin coconut oil for baby skincare or food.

You will also be better off selecting organic coconut oil as this guarantees that the oil has been safely sourced and processed.

If you enjoyed this post, then head over to our Pinterest page. We have plenty of other useful information and product suggestions for coconut oil and other coconut products.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Riya Borah
Nutritionist Educator | Riya Borah is a nutritionist educator and her job involves guiding people towards a healthier lifestyle. Growing up in India, Riya was aware of just how much coconut was used on a daily basis. This encouraged her to research the properties of this versatile drupe. It opened her eyes to both the limitation and possibilities of coconut. Her aim is to now educate as many people as possible about the best ways to utilize coconut in their own lives.
An Important Disclaimer
The information on this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a doctor if you wish to consume any kind of tea regularly for the purpose of treating any condition or illness.
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