How Coconut Oil Keeps My Kids Healthy

Infant massage

When my daughter was a newborn, she was pretty fussy, so I heard about infant massage and how it can help calm babies and improve their health and happiness overall! Now a good massage needs good oil, and being that baby skin is so delicate I needed something that I knew would not irritate her sensitive skin. I did a little research and found that coconut oil is possibly the safest, most beneficial oil to use on a baby’s skin!

Infant Weight Gain

I was concerned because coconut oil has been found to boost metabolism and increase weight loss in adults, I didn’t want my already tiny daughter to have an increased metabolism! But I came across a study that found that preemies massaged with coconut oil actually gained weight faster and better than expected, not to mention the benefits of coconut oil on a developing brain! I knew I just had to try it out, after all, what was there to lose? Well, the doctor was astounded at my daughters phenomenal weight gain at her 1-month visit! One thing I didn’t know, and apparently my doctor didn’t either, is that coconut is a common additive in baby formula and is great for brain development in babies and children!

Diaper Rash

One of the classic skin conditions of babyhood, diaper rash, is common but that doesn’t make it any less annoying for parents and baby alike! Finding the perfect diaper rash cream is a journey every new parent embarks on; I wish I had known about coconut oil as an effective and natural cure for diaper rash. Usually you need a prescription of Nystatin for the treatment of diaper rash due to candida overgrowth, but coconut oil’s anti-fungal qualities clears it up naturally in half the time minus the trip to the doctor! This alone makes it indispensable for caretakers of babies!

Scalp Conditions

For a long time my son had a patch of cradle cap that I just could not get rid of with mineral oil, as per treatment directions from other mothers and doctors. So I began rubbing coconut oil on his scalp just like I do on my own for my dandruff, after a week of rubbing coconut oil onto his scalp the scaly patch disappeared! I searched and searched in disbelief, but there it was….or should I say, there it wasn’t! And of course he now has some luscious locks for a 4-year-old! As far as I’m concerned its pretty safe to say that coconut oil will heal most any scalp affliction, with ZERO harmful chemicals and almost no risk of sensitivity.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris is a harmless skin condition caused by sebum forming a hard cap over hair follicles making hundreds of tiny bumps that can be embarrassing and a bit irritating for some people. I noticed my son had this problem and knowing that my sister has this problem, and is sometimes quite annoyed with them, I started researching natural cures to help them both and what, to my delight, did I find? Lauric acid makes coconut oil an effective, natural treatment for Keratosis Pilaris!

Cavity Prevention

While I wouldn’t use coconut oil as the only cavity prevention method, with kids we parents need all the help we can get keeping our kids mouths fresh and clean. Coconut oil is a great tasting way to keep the bad breath and cavity causing bacteria in check. An added benefit is coconut oil will keep the kids teeth more stain resistant and shiny. Add a couple drops of peppermint oil or cardamom oil for added halitosis fighting in adults!

1 Tbs coconut oil

1 Tbs sodium bicarbonate

2-3 drops peppermint or spearmint oil

a pinch of stevia for taste

Boosts Immune System and Fights Flu Virus!

With flu season in full swing and this year’s added fear of the dreaded H1N1 how could I pass up letting you know how coconut oil is effective at killing numerous viruses. The lauric acid in coconut oil has the ability to penetrate and dissolve the protective casing around viruses that make them so hard, in fact impossible at times, to kill with prescription treatment. This means that coconut oil can naturally defeat viruses naturally that chemical-loaded anti-virals cannot. What I find especially amazing is that there is no risk of adverse effects and is so gentle it can even be added to you or your child’s diet and expect that it will actually prevent the virus from causing an infection to begin with.

The very best part about coconut oil is all of the benefits I talk about can be obtained through internal and external use. So for those who just don’t like the taste of coconut, topical application will provide you with the same benefits and then some!