Massaging your little one builds a unique bond between you and them. It is believed that giving massage to your child helps in strengthening their bond with the mother. It is one of the best ways of bonding with kids. The touch gives kids a sense of belongingness and they start to recognise you. It gives a unique feel of oneness with the baby and the baby feels protected and comforted at the same time. Now the question arises when is the good time to start the massages for your baby and how exactly are you supposed to massage your little one? There are ample of questions around this. It is safe to use olive oil for baby massage? What are the benefits of using olive oil for baby massage? Wait, don’t worry, I am going to answer each and every question you have around this subject. Let’s begin with the most apt ones.
Table Of Content
- What are the key Benefits of olive oil?
- What are the key benefits of olive oil for baby massage?
- Which is the Best Olive Oil For Baby Massage?
- What are the side effects of olive oil for baby massage?
- What’s the best way to massage a baby?
What are the key benefits of olive oil?
In the growing age of faster life and unhealthy foods to cope with the time and stress we all end up building unwanted cholesterol in the body and thus probing a risk for the heart. But we have learnt through experience that as work is important so is the food we consume.
A healthy food is the base of a healthy lifestyle. And over a period of time with many researches it’s been proved that virgin olive oil helps control the health hazards. It consists omega fatty acids which controls the lipid profile in your body and keeps heart diseases at bay. Now the question arises whether applying olive oil over the skin too has benefits like consumption of the oil? Let’s have a look at it.
What are the key benefits of olive oil for baby massage?
Giving massage to your baby using olive oil is one of the best ways of providing health benefits to their skin. It improves the texture and quality of your baby’s skin. It becomes soft and smooth especially the face and arms. Here are some more key benefits of olive oil for baby massage.
1. It provides nourishing properties to the baby’s skin
The olive oil is known to contain vitamin E which has properties to keep the skin smooth and shiny. It stands true for the baby’s skin too. Regular massage with virgin olive oil will help with the maintenance of the skin texture of the baby. Especially during the winters when the baby’s skin tends to crack it plays a very important role.
2. It helps in providing relief from symptoms of cold and cough
A soothing massage of olive oil mixed with eucalyptus oil over the chest of the baby can help them with the symptoms of cold and cough.
3. It provides comfortable and smooth sleep
Application of olive oil on the baby’s sole can help them calm down and have a sound sleep throughout the night. A good night’s sleep is essential for the development of the baby physically and mentally too. Thus, olive oil massage for the kid is quite helpful.
4. It helps to soothe the diaper rashes
Diaper rashes can be a nightmare for the baby as well as the parent. It’s quite un-comforting but the use of olive oil on the area of the rashes can help promote faster healing as well as relive the pains of the rashes too.
5. It aids in having good hair
The vitamin E present in the olive oil helps with good scalp health as well as promotes good hair health.
6. It can be used in all kinds of weather for a nourishing massage
We know that certain oils are preferred to be used in certain weather conditions only. For instance mustard oil is preferred to be used in the winters to keep the skin smooth and to protect it from the cold. Also the oil gives atypical smell to the skin which isn’t very welcoming. All these problems doesn’t arise with the use of olive oil. It has no side effects pertaining to the weather conditions thus can be safely used in any season.
7. It helps to heal cradle cap in infants
Some babies have a tendency to develop what is called a cradle cap over their scalp area which seems to be like a sebaceous accumulation over the head and might feel as if the skin over the scalp is cracking. It might not be discomforting to the baby but one can get rid of it with the use of olive oil. Massage the scalp with olive oil and let it stay for about fifteen minutes or so. You can clean it using shampoo or mild soap. You can see the results after a few days of using the oil.
Which is the Best Olive Oil For Baby Massage?
Now let’s see which are the options you have for Best Olive Oil For Baby Massage:
1. Figaro Olive Oil for baby massage
Figaro Olive Oil for baby massage has been considered the best option available in India. It is one of the top brands of olive oil in India. It is one of the first few brands offering best quality of olive oil for baby massage. Figaro never disappoints.
2. Oyo Baby olive oil for baby massage
Another perfect olive oil for baby massage is this one. It provides the perfect nourishment to your child’s skin. It is free from chemicals which protects your baby’s skin from harmful effects. It adds a protective layer on the skin which provides all the benefits it needs.
3. Borges olive oil
Borges olive oil is not necessary labeled as a baby massage oil but it’s one of the best brands providing olive oil. It comes with all the nutritional health benefits that your baby needs. The only issue with Borges olive oil is that its price is on a higher side which makes it difficult for many people to afford. However if you can then it’s the best olive oil for giving perfect massages to your baby.
4. Indus Valley Bio Organic olive oil
A very less known but another effect brand is this one by Indus Valley. Indus valley bio organic olive oil is one of its kind. It’s pure and organic and contains no chemicals at all. It’s one of the best olive oil for baby massage. It does not contain any Hexane or Bisphenol A. It is perfect for use for kids as well as adults.
What are the side effects of olive oil for baby massage?
It’s the best to use natural oils for the baby’s massage. But over use of olive oil can tend to break the upper fatty layer of the skin leaving it cracked. It contains oleic acid in it which is the cause of the concern. It tends to thin the line of fats over the skin helping it to break down easily.
What’s the best way to massage a baby?
A regular massage is very important for the baby.it helps building the bond as well as helps with the development of the bone and skin health. But now we have found that regular use of olive oil for baby massage may not be a very good choice, then how do we go about it? We just keep switching the oil but use all natural oils. For instance the baby’s skin benefits a lot with coconut oil too so we can use both extra virgin olive oil as well as coconut oil alternatively. This will prevent the side effects of the olive oil and will provide the baby’s skin with the benefits of both the oils.
The best way to massage a baby is to know their body language and then set the pressure and movement accordingly. There is no set rule for it. Try to understand your babies needs and then tend to accordingly. Some babies love their foot being rubbed but some don’t. So proceed accordingly. In my case my baby would love a leg massage but wouldn’t want her hands or arms being massaged. So a just a gentle rub over the arm will do the trick. Also keep in my the room should be calm and soothing while you give your baby a massage and many babies tend to fall asleep after a massage so be prepared for that accordingly.
Conclusion
So folks we have learnt in a gist the pros and cons about the use of olive oil for baby massage. I hope it would help you to get to a conclusion about the use of the same. Have you been using any unique combination of natural oils that has helped you with your baby’s comfort please do share with us.
Happy Parenting !!!