Why are Moms Using Virgin Coconut Oil? Here are 10 Great Reasons
More and more people now use virgin coconut oil (VCO) as their cooking oil, skin moisturizer, hair conditioner, and all-around lifestyle essential. In particular, moms all over the country are loving this oil as an answer to several motherhood needs. From pregnant women hoping to reduce stretch marks, to Mamas dealing with their child’s constipation, these ladies are discovering just how handy VCO can be in #momlife.
Here are 10 amazing VCO benefits for mothers, babies, and toddlers.
First, An Important Note on VCO Usage:
In this post, we talk about applying virgin coconut oil on your skin and incorporating it in your child’s diet. These are generally safe practices, and yes, even young children can safely consume VCO. We do recommend that you consult your doctor or pediatrician first for specific advice on dosage, fat intake, and any existing allergies.
There are many brands of virgin coconut oil in the market now. As a mother, how do you choose the safest VCO for your family? Two criteria you should look for:
- Make sure your VCO is FDA-approved. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the oil’s manufacturing and food safety. Not all VCO brands have FDA approval, so check the label.
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Opt for “virgin” coconut oil. “Virgin” coconut oil means it’s unrefined and has no added chemicals. By contrast, “refined” coconut oil means it has gone through additional chemical processes like bleaching and deodorizing. Some oil refining steps even involve hexane, an industrial solvent! You definitely don’t want this for your family.
A highly trusted, FDA-approved brand is Made Mindful Virgin Coconut Oil. It’s pure and unrefined coconut oil extracted through a mechanical process – no synthetic chemicals. Plus, not only does it have FDA approval, it’s already been tried and tested by real-life moms, as you’ll see below! Now let’s get to why moms and families trust VCO.
VCO BENEFITS FOR MOTHERS, BABIES, AND TODDLERS
1. Virgin coconut oil improves the look of stretch marks.
Plenty of studies tell us that VCO is a powerful skin moisturizer, and this is great news for moms battling stretch marks. While there’s currently no gold standard for completely erasing stretch marks, well-moisturized skin is much more resilient from this kind of damage. Regular application of virgin coconut oil helps prevent stretch marks on your baby bump, and may even help fade the starkness of these blemishes!
It works like this: moisture or hydration is what keeps the skin supple and elastic, giving it smoothness and ‘bounce’. The fatty acids in virgin coconut oil act as a barrier that seals in that much-needed skin hydration – it even works better than mineral oil-based moisturizers!
How to use VCO against stretch marks: If you’re an expecting mom, regularly massage virgin coconut oil all over your belly. It’s best to start this habit just as your baby bump begins to grow, so your skin is better prepared to bounce back from stretch marks.
2. Cracked or sore nipples? Try VCO.
It’s super common for breastfeeding mothers to get sore, cracked, or even bleeding nipples due to the baby’s feeding. Some moms have to buy nipple cream for this, but virgin coconut oil is a wonderful alternative! Not only is VCO highly moisturizing, it’s also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. This promotes skin healing while preventing infection of the wound.
Plus, when you use FDA-approved VCO, you know it’s safe for baby, too. Can you say the same about artificial creams?
How to use VCO for sore or cracked nipples: Apply daily as a nipple cream. No need to wash it off – just spread and massage all over your skin.
P.S. Made Mindful VCO is quickly absorbed by your skin and is non-greasy, so it’s a great choice for busy mommas.
3. Soothe diaper rash with VCO.
Though diaper rash or “baby butt rash” is so common, no mother would want to see their infant suffering from this skin irritation. It’s usually caused by moisture, urine, or poop trapped between the diaper and the baby’s skin. The diaper’s material itself could also trigger itchiness.
If you spot this red, tender rash on your baby, hold the store-bought creams! Virgin coconut oil is a natural, inexpensive alternative that’s known to reduce inflammation while preventing bacteria and fungi from infecting the rash.
How to soothe diaper rash with VCO: Before each diaper change, wash baby’s bottom then pat dry. Warm some virgin coconut oil in the palm of your hands and massage on rash area, leaving only a thin layer of oil on their skin. Allow it to absorb for a minute, then replace diaper. Don’t forget to change nappies often and allow a comfortable fit!
4. VCO reduces “cradle cap” on babies.
Cradle cap, a.k.a. seborrheic dermatitis, is a common infant condition where the scalp develops crusty, flaky spots. According to the Mayo Clinic, this has nothing to do with hygiene – it may simply be caused by hormones passed from the mother, or by a common fungus on baby’s scalp.
To get rid of cradle cap, doctors recommend rubbing the affected area with a natural oil, especially VCO. According to Vikash Oza, MD, who heads pediatric dermatology at NYU Langone Health, “there’s evidence that virgin coconut oil is more effective for the skin barrier than other oils.”
How to treat your baby’s cradle cap with VCO: Gently massage a few drops of virgin coconut oil onto baby’s scalp, sweep away flakes with a soft brush, then shampoo and rinse.
5. Virgin coconut oil relieves skin conditions on babies and adults.
Some people are unfortunately born with itch-prone skin, even in infancy. Skin conditions like eczema are common among babies and adults, and as a mom, it can be heartbreaking for you to see your little one suffering from an itchy flare-up.
Virgin coconut oil can be helpful in this regard. As we now know, VCO has a powerful combo of being hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial, making it an amazing product for eczema, dermatitis, and xerosis. Virgin coconut oil’s hydrating effect helps the skin heal, while its anti-inflammatory property keeps inflammation in check, plus its antimicrobial property prevents infection.
And yes, this works on both adults and babies! There’s even a clinical study showing VCO as “superior” to mineral oil in managing atopic dermatitis among pedia patients.
How to soothe infant eczema flare-ups with VCO: Do a “wet wrap therapy.” Massage VCO onto eczema area. Take a piece of soft, sterilized cloth, dip it in warm water, and place over VCO-massaged eczema patch. Let it stay until cloth is almost dry.
6. VCO is a healthy cooking ingredient.
Virgin coconut oil is no ordinary cooking oil. If you’re concerned about its effect on your cholesterol, know this: a clinical trial found that virgin coconut oil is better than butter at raising your good cholesterol and lowering your bad cholesterol. With this, you don’t have to worry about replacing your butter or regular cooking oils with VCO.
But that’s not all! Multiple studies now show us that virgin coconut oil can alleviate mild Covid-19 symptoms. It can even be used as a prophylactic (a preventive measure, but not a cure-all), as advised by top researcher Dr. Fabian Dayrit. This is further reason to include VCO in your and your family’s diet.
How to use VCO in cooking and baking: Just replace your conventional cooking fat or baking grease with virgin coconut oil at a 1:1 ratio. VCO works well for sauteing, shallow frying, and baking pastries. Its taste and aroma are barely detectable – if at all – in the resulting dish.
Other ways to incorporate VCO into your family’s diet: Drizzle it on salads. Blend it with your smoothies. Mix a teaspoon in coffee and other drinks. Take it by the spoonful, on its own or with honey.
How to take VCO vs. Covid-19: Dr. Dayrit has recommended two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil after each meal for those who have mild symptoms. If this sounds too much for you, start with smaller doses or better yet, consult with your doctor for the best amount for your body.
7. VIRGIN COCONUT OIL MAY HELP BABIES GAIN WEIGHT.
A 2018 analysis published in the Philippine Children’s Medical Center concluded that VCO “is effective in augmenting weight gain among very low birthweight preterm infants.” The researchers supplemented breast milk or infant formula with VCO, and gave it to babies born less than 37 weeks and weighed less than 1.5 kilograms. Overall, the weight gain of VCO-supplemented babies was “statistically significant.” The science behind this has to do with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fatty acid that’s easily absorbed by the body. The researchers noted that “MCTs are readily absorbed even with gut immaturity,” and virgin coconut oil just happens to be “the most concentrated natural source of medium chain fatty acid.”
How to use VCO for infant weight gain: It’s vital that you consult your pediatrician before giving your baby VCO. According to Dr. Barbara Ann Ejercito-Manio of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, VCO supplementation should only start when the child has started eating solids. Even then, it should start with tiny amounts like 1 or 2 ml before gradually increasing.
8. VCO can alleviate constipation in children and adults.
Constipation is a common complaint among pregnant and lactating moms (blame those hormones!), and also among kids. To treat constipation, you need to address its root cause, whether it’s the lack of water and fiber in your diet, too much formula for your child, or simply a change in potty schedule.
In the meantime, you or your child doesn’t have to suffer with pooping difficulties. Try taking virgin coconut oil. Its fatty acids stimulate cells in the digestive tract so stool can move with more ease.
How to take VCO vs. constipation: Dr. Carisse Diana Drilon-Dalman, medical director of Centro Holistico, says you may take two tablespoons of VCO twice daily to relieve constipation. Now this may sound like a lot for your toddler, so as always, ask your pedia for dosage advice. One thing you can try is giving your little one a smaller dose mixed with honey and a little lemon juice. Yum!
9. Virgin coconut oil is a wonderful massage oil for babies and moms.
Given that VCO is a fantastic moisturizer – and a sweet-smelling one at that! – it’s perfect as a massage oil for grownups. And because it’s organic, it’s generally safe for baby’s skin, too. Infant massage is a highly recommended practice that brings many advantages. It can reduce baby fussiness and crying, help them get peaceful sleep, and alleviate colic and constipation. It also relaxes your baby’s mood and helps build an emotional bond between you and the little one.
How to do infant massage with VCO: In a quiet, cozy room, place baby face up on soft towels and remove clothing down to diaper. Rub some virgin coconut oil in the palm of your hands until excess oil is gone. Take your baby’s hands and gently rub their little palms with your thumbs, until baby tunes in to you. Now you can proceed with massaging the little one’s neck, shoulders, arms, belly, and legs.
10. VCO compounds can repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Did you know that virgin coconut oil is a natural insect repellent? It works two ways: its slippery quality immobilizes tiny crawlies, while its natural fatty acids deters bugs. In fact, a study found that VCO compounds are more powerful than DEET (bug lotion ingredient) in repelling flies, bed bugs, ticks, and mosquitoes! This is great for mommies whose kiddos are always roaming the outdoors or are extra-sensitive to bug bites.
How to use virgin coconut oil as insect repellent: Slather VCO directly on skin before exposure, or mix it first with citronella, peppermint, tea tree, or rosemary essential oil for an extra insect-repellent scent. If your child already has an insect bite, pat some VCO on the bite area to help reduce skin inflammation and prevent microbial infection.
With so many science-backed benefits, plus many moms attesting to them, virgin coconut oil has earned its spot in kitchens, bedrooms, and nurseries everywhere.
Trust only Made Mindful VCO for your mom, baby, and family needs. It’s FDA-approved, has no chemical additives, and is unrefined, which means pure, wholesome coconut oil goodness for your family.
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