7 Benefits of Using Olive Oil for Baby Massage

Plenty of praises have been sung about massages for babies and their various benefits. Baby massages are a delightful way to boost your baby’s development! They have been popular for decades; only the choice of oil used has changed over time. While traditional natural oils may dominate the popular notion of what’s best for babies, care is being taken that these oils are made more gentle. Why? Well, you want your baby’s skin to stay soft, supple, clear of skin problems, and not have her fall prey to colds because of having used the wrong massage oil, don’t you? And that’s where olive oil comes to the rescue!

Read on for benefits of using olive oil for babies.

7 Benefits of Olive Oil for Baby Massage

Apart from being one of the healthiest and yummiest cooking oils, olive oil is also used for skin care and cosmetic purposes. This makes it an easy choice for your baby’s massage, although it’s extremely important that you choose a good product.

Note: If your baby’s skin is damaged or is prone to eczema, olive oil may not be the best choice for the baby’s massage. Consult with your doctor before using olive oil to massage your baby.

1. All-weather Massage Oil

This is definitely an advantage all moms can get on board with! There are certain oils that are restricted to summer or winter seasons because using them during any other time can affect your baby’s health. But that’s not the case with olive oil. The only thing you need to consider is the quantity you’ll be using to massage your baby. Use a generous amount during winter months when the skin tends to dry out more and use a smaller amount during summers. Remember, olive oil can be pretty heavy on the skin that requires less moisture. Therefore, adjust the quantity accordingly.

2. Has Moisturising Properties

Protect your little one’s soft baby skin with the moisturising properties of olive oil. A gentle, soothing olive oil massage can leave your child’s skin smoother and softer than it already was! Olive oil contains squalene which is a hydrating agent, that permeates your baby’s skin, making it baby-soft!

3. Helps Loosen the Cradle Cap Scales

Cradle cap is a skin condition that leads to dry and flaky layers on the baby’s scalp. It doesn’t usually cause much discomfort to the baby, although the sight of it isn’t very pleasant. Olive oil is helpful in loosening the scales formed due to cradle cap. Simply massage the baby’s head with some olive oil and leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. Wash and rinse the oil off with a mild shampoo and use a comb to remove the loosened bits and flakes. You’ll see favourable results in just a couple of uses!

4. Provides Symptomatic Relief in Cold-Cough

With winter approaching, the dreaded colds and coughs that plague your baby are underway as well! Massaging your baby’s chest with a mixture of eucalyptus radiata oil and a few drops of good olive oil could provide some symptomatic relief in cold, cough and respiratory congestion. You can also rub the oil on your little one’s palms or the soles of her feet to provide more relief.

5. Prevents and Cures Diaper Rashes

Yet another common condition that presents both moms and babies with nightmares, diaper rashes can be quite distressing to deal with. Prevent these rashes by massaging your baby’s diaper area with some lukewarm olive oil.

6. Promotes Sleep

Olive oil has relaxing properties that can soothe and lull your baby to sleep. Rub the soles of your baby’s feet with a few drops of olive oil and massage him till he gently drifts in deep slumber.

7. Good for Hair Health

Olive oil strengthens your baby’s hair and softens it if it’s rough or coarse. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, which can enhance the texture of the hair and moisturise it well.

Although olive oil has several benefits, you need to practice caution when using it.

Precautions to Be Taken When Using Olive Oil for Baby Massage

These precautionary measures will help you take complete care of your little one’s skin.

1. Don’t apply if your baby has skin allergies/eczema.
2. Stop using it if the baby has developed a rash after using it.
3. Avoid olive oil with preservatives, sometimes also known as routine olive oil, as it may be harmful to the baby’s soft skin.

While massaging your baby, you want to ensure that it benefits her right from top-to-toe! An olive oil massage for your baby is great for all seasons as it nourishes the skin and hair, among other advantages that it provides. Ensure that you choose a quality extra virgin olive oil that is trusted by other moms as well, and your baby’s beautiful skin will soon be thanking you!