Should I use olive oil for children?

Olive oil has long been known for its benefits for health, skin and hair. In addition, this is also an indispensable part of kitchens around the world. However, is it really good to use olive oil for children?

Let's find out with aFamilyToday Health through the following article!

Olive oil for babies

Olive oil is a type of fat obtained from the processing of olives, the fruit commonly grown in the Mediterranean region.

Olive oil that is mechanically produced and not chemically treated is called virgin oil;

Olive oil without any added chemicals or heat treatment that is processed immediately when harvested is called extra virgin oil (extra virgin oil).

The ingredients and nutritional value of olive oil

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one tablespoon of olive oil contains:

Calories: 119 calories;

Fat: 13., 50g;

Carbohydrate: 0g;

Saturated Fat: 2g;

Fiber: 0g;

Protein: 0g;

Vitamin E: 1.8 mcg;

Vitamin K: 8.1 mcg.

Olive oil consists of mixed triglyceride esters of oleic acid, palmitic acid, other fatty acids, and small amounts of sterols and squalene. Phenol includes tyrosol, oleocanthal, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein among other ingredients.

Oleic acid: 55–83%;

Linoleic acid: 3.5–21%;

Palmitic acid: 7.5–20%;

Stearic acid: 0.5–5%;

Alpha - linolenic acid: 0–1.5%.

7 benefits of olive oil for children

1. Body massage 

Massage will help bond the parent-baby relationship, while calming the body and improving sleep, helping to grow and be healthy. It is important to know how to choose the right massage oil for your baby. Here are some of the benefits of an olive oil massage for babies and children:

Olive oil makes baby skin smooth, shiny and healthy. Baby's nails will be strong and beautiful and have a perfect moisturizing effect on baby's skin;

The oil has the ability to regenerate skin tissue and helps keep skin firm;

Because olive oil is rich in healthy fats, antioxidant phenols, vitamin E, squalene and oleic acid, it can help maintain good skin pigmentation, promote bone and muscle health;

Olive oil for babies can be used both in cold and hot weather.

Take the same amount of olive oil in water to massage. After 15 to 20 minutes, use warm water to rinse your baby off. Remember to clean and thoroughly to avoid a rash.

2. Brain development

In terms of rich nutritional value, olive oil for babies is a great choice to add to your baby's diet, improving their health, protecting them against atherosclerosis and increasing beneficial cholesterol. in blood. Please pay attention to the following to ensure the safety when preparing food:

Only use olive oil in the diet for babies after 6 months of age ;

Do not use more than 1/4 tablespoon olive oil in baby food (about 56.67g). If consumed in excess, it will cause diarrhea.

3. Olive oil for children to cure constipation 

A simple tip to soothe your baby's cramping pain is to apply the hot olive oil to her stomach clockwise. Doing so will ensure a good night's sleep.

Olive oil also acts as a laxative to help with constipation. However, this remedy is not supported. Ideally, you should bring your child to medical centers for treatment and follow-up.

4. Solve the problem of "buffalo shit" for babies

"Dropping buffalo" is a form of scale or dandruff clinging to the baby's head forming a dry layer of skin. Olive oil will flake off this flake thanks to the available moisturizing essence. You can apply the following steps:

Put olive oil on your baby's scalp;

Massage with a cotton towel or soft brush and leave the oil for 10 to 20 minutes;

If the crust is thick, it is possible to apply oil to the child's scalp overnight;

Then, wash your scalp thoroughly with shampoo and warm water;

Use the comb to gently remove the "buffalo shit" from the baby's scalp.

Additionally, the use of olive oil can help straighten baby's hair.

5. Solve diaper rash problems

Using a small amount of olive oil for children will help solve the diaper rash problem in children extremely effectively . You can try the following:

Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of water;

Place it on palms and rub evenly over the diaper rash, including the baby's buttocks.

This will reduce diaper rash, but if this continues, it is best to contact your doctor.

6. Cough with olive oil

Whenever your baby is sick, breast milk is always the best medicine to help increase the child's immunity. Sometimes, natural oiling can soothe a baby's cough. You can treat your cough with the following natural remedies:

Mix 3–4 teaspoons of olive oil with 2–3 drops of rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil;

Rub the mixture evenly over baby's chest and back.

In addition, the oil before going to bed will help your baby sleep better.

7. Supporting underweight babies

Clinical trials have shown that using olive oil for babies in combination with soybean oil with lipid profiles similar to breast milk will provide benefits like parenteral food (intravenous feeding) for infants. Doctors recommend olive oil for babies who are underweight or have trouble breastfeeding.

Is olive oil good for baby's skin?

According to research shows, mothers should avoid using olive oil massage if baby's skin is scratched or dry.

Olive oil is rich in oleic acid but the linoleic acid is low in fatty acids. Linoleic acid has properties that strengthen the skin's coating while oleic acid tends to make certain layers of baby's skin more easily absorbed;

If a baby's skin can be absorbed and the skin barrier is open, olive oil can increase permeability and weaken a child's natural defenses;

If a baby's skin is damaged or has eczema, the use of olive oil can only worsen the condition;

Also, it cannot be concluded that olive oil is good for babies with healthy skin as there are no clear studies to back it up.

See  5 things you should keep in mind when using olive oil to use olive oil very cautiously, especially for children.

Using olive oil for children will make baby's skin whiter?

Whether your baby's skin is white or not is because of her genetic code, there's nothing we can do to change it. Besides, health and environmental issues can temporarily affect baby's skin color. Currently, there are no studies showing that olive oil changes the color of baby's skin.

Hopefully through the above article, you have more useful information in taking care of your baby healthy!