What Oil Is Best For Baby Massage?
There are so many oils out there, but which one is best for Baby Massage?
I often have mums asking ‘Can I just use any oil for Baby Massage?’
The Simple Answer: No!
It’s good to remember that no matter what age we are our skin is porous, so basically, anything we put on it can affect our whole body and wellbeing - i.e. try to avoid using anything packed full of weird-sounding chemicals. And in babies, it pays to be especially cautious as their skin is still very delicate. So, no designer lotions and potions in other words (which is good news for your wallet!).
But what about almond oil? Or olive oil? Are they okay?
Firstly, it’s best to avoid using any kind of oil on a baby under a month old, and it may be beneficial to wait until they are about 7-8 weeks old before using oil in massage, due to the delicate nature of newborn skin. Secondly, nut oils such as almond oil are best avoided as they could potentially cause an allergic reaction if your little one turns out to have a nut sensitivity or allergy - once they are older and eating solids, and have successfully tried eating nuts without having a reaction, you could switch to a nut oil if you want to (always do a patch test first).
Olive oil is a common choice for many adults to use on their skin, but it can cause redness and isn’t a good choice if your baby has eczema (or if there is a history of eczema in the family). You may have heard that Extra Virgin olive oil is okay to use but again, it can cause redness and may exacerbate eczema. In addition to this, the quality can vary so it is best avoided.
It’s also recommended that you do not use any essential oils on your baby’s skin, even if mixed into a carrier oil. Essential oils are very strong and should never be used with babies and small children without seeking professional advice from a trained expert (i.e. an aromatherapist) first. Just because your friend sells them and says they’re fine, doesn’t mean they are actually okay for a baby!
Okay, so which oil is best to use for Baby Massage?
Organic Sunflower Seed Oil is the best choice for Baby Massage in babies aged 7-8 weeks and older according to current guidelines. It has a very low likelihood of causing an allergic reaction (you still need to do a patch test though), has no smell so doesn’t interfere with the smell of you (which is really important for bonding and baby feeling safe), it also won’t harm your baby if it gets on their fingers and then they suck them later. Don’t just grab a bottle off the supermarket shelf though, you want the best quality oil you can get and this is best bought from a health shop or ordered online.
The other option is Fractionated Coconut Oil. Again this is available in health shops and online. Hang on, I hear you cry, you said avoid nut oils! Good spot you awesome mama, I'm glad you’re paying attention. However, although the coconut is sometimes classified as a nut for food labeling purposes, it isn’t technically a nut but more of a fruit, and can be especially helpful for eczema. Like any oil, you need to perform a patch test first to make sure it is okay for your baby.
Scrolled to the bottom or just want a quick recap on which oil to use? No problem, here are the most important takeaways:
Don’t use any oils on baby’s skin until they are 7-8 weeks old
Avoid nut oils, olive oil, and essential oils
Stick to Organic Sunflower Seed Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil from a good supplier
ALWAYS do a patch test before using an oil for the very first time
And that’s it. A super simple and quick guide to using oils in Baby Massage.
