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Olive Oil Massage Benefits, Precautions for Infants

You would have always heard of baby body massage and its importance for your little bud. Generally, parents across the globe massage their babies routinely to help with their overall well-being and development. There are a variety of oils that you can use for your baby and all of them have their benefits and effects on a baby's skin. I have observed that when my infant gets massaged regularly, he shows better signs of development, is happier, sleeps well and has lesser complications in health. The Oil that I vouch for is Olive oil which can be used for your baby's massage almost daily. It has many benefits and I know you are curious, so let's discuss in detail!

What is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is oil or fat that is extracted from the fruit of a Mediterranean tree crop, called "olive". The oil is derived by pressing the olives and is further refined into various varieties like pomace, virgin, extra virgin, etc. For massage, extra virgin olive oil is preferred as it has almost all the nutrients and qualities intact.

8 Benefits Of Olive Oil for Baby Massage

  1. Moisturizes baby skin: Olive oil is a great moisturizer for your baby's soft and supple skin. It further improves the texture for your baby's already so soft skin by making it shiny, soft and healthy. After applying the oil for some days you will notice that your little one's skin becomes shinier, thanks to Olive oil!
  2. Provides nutrients: Olive oil is loaded with loads of vitamins and minerals like Oleic acid, Vitamin E and antioxidants that help in maintaining healthy skin and even texture of your baby's skin. It also helps in maintaining healthy bones and strong muscles for your baby's developing body
  3. Tones skin: With regenerative properties, olive oil becomes a great choice to keep the skin toned and even in appearance. It has a very good impact on the growing tissues of your baby's skin and thus helps in its healthy growth
  4. Works well in all seasons: The best part about Olive oil is that it can be used in all types of weather be it summers, monsoons or winters. However, the quantity that you should use during each season changes as per the weather conditions. While I use it generously in winters, I would use it mildly in summers or monsoons because olive oil tends to be thick and slightly heavy in texture
  5. Helps with cradle cap: As told by ancestors, olive oil is a great remedy for a common occurrence in babies, the Cradle cap, which is a dandruff-like condition that happens on the baby's scalp and forms a coating of flaky stuff. If massages regularly with olive oil, cradle cap begins to vanish by itself, leaving your baby with a smooth and clear scalp
  6. Prevents body and diaper rash: This is a tried and tested remedy and I stand by it. If your baby gets regular olive oil massage on the body and especially in the private regions, you will notice the minimal appearance of any rashes. If there are any already present, olive oil will help by treating and further preventing them from coming back
  7. Improves hair texture: It has been seen that babies who regularly get massaged on their heads with olive oil tend to have thicker and healthier hair as compared to other oils. This is because olive oil proves beneficial in improving hair growth and strengthening the roots
  8. Useful for premature babies: Some research suggests that oil in combination with soy oil have the lipid profile resembling breastmilk. The same has been said to be useful for premature babies' weight gain and combating feeding difficulties

 

Olive Oil For Baby Constipation

Babies tend to get constipated frequently, and olive oil comes handy in such a case. All you need to do is take some olive oil and warm it a little. Now take some oil in your hands and rub it, leaving some on your fingertips. Next, massage the baby's stomach in a clockwise motion applying very gentle pressure. A few circular motions should help in easing baby constipation. If your baby is on solids, you can use olive oil as regular oil and it may even help in dealing with constipation in babies