By JENNI MADISON
We all want to have a happy and healthy pregnancy. We all want to be sure that we’re giving our body and our babies the best possible nourishment during and after gestation.
Coconut oil has some remarkable benefits when it comes to pregnancy, which is why it’s known as the ‘Breast Milk of Mother Nature’.
Just as breast milk is jam-packed with nutrients and disease-fighting ingredients to keep baby healthy, so is coconut oil. The lauric acid in coconut oil is a natural way to strengthen your immune system, and that of your baby.
The benefits of coconut oil during and after pregnancy include:
Lactation: Coconut oil stimulates metabolism, promoting both a healthy thyroid and lactation. Intake of coconut oil while pregnant may help ensure a good milk supply. Studies have shown that the milk from breast-feeding mothers who take coconut oil and other coconut products contains a higher amount of lauric acid.
Stretch marks: Because of the high amount of vitamin E in coconut oil, pregnant women in South India apply the coconut extract on their bellies to prevent stretch marks. Even existing stretch marks have a chance to fade with regular use of Coconut Magic coconut oil. It will also moisturise the skin and keep skin irritation and infection at bay. One of our customers believes that by taking a coconut oil bath two to three times per week during her pregnancy, she had no stretch marks whatsoever. She happily shared this on a Facebook thread.
Infant health: Coconut oil helps develop the immune system of the newborn as well as aiding brain and bone development. It is known to relieve nappy (diaper) rash, Keratosis Pilaris (a common, harmless skin condition), and is gentle and beneficial for baby’s digestive health.
Pregnancy can be a stressful time, and pregnant women have an increased demand for good nutrition. The unborn child also demands ample nutrients for proper development and growth, and will steal them from the mother’s body if they are not supplied in her diet.
For generations people living in the coconut-growing regions of the world have relied on coconut for nature’s nourishment and health. Modern medicine has also recognised the health benefits of the MCFAs in coconut oil, which is now used by hospitals in infant formula.
Premature and infants who are ill, especially whose digestive organs are underdeveloped, are able to absorb MCFA with relative ease, while other fats pass through their system pretty much undigested.
Whenever I see pregnant ladies or mums with babies I get very excited about sharing with them the wonderful benefits of coconut oil. Sadly there are companies producing baby products that are toxic and dangerous. In 2011, Johnson & Johnson was sued for selling shampoo and baby wash that allegedly contained methylene chloride, an ingredient used in cosmetics that was banned by the FDA because of its link to cancer. The law firm that filed the suit was also investigating other suspect product ingredients.
Nappy rash cream
There is no risk to the baby’s bottom, because coconut oil is pure and contains no added chemicals. With its impressive anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, it can even heal yeast infections. As an added bonus coconut oil smells delicious. It will not ruin cloth nappies like many other nappy rash creams do.
Apply a thin layer to the affected area.
Cradle cap
Massage coconut oil onto your baby’s scalp and leave for about 20 minutes. The coconut oil will moisturise and nourish baby’s scalp and loosen the cradle cap flakes. After 20 minutes wash off the oil, or wipe clean with a damp cloth and gently comb the hair with a soft brush to remove any loose flakes. Regular treatments will keep baby’s scalp moistened and nourished and will help prevent cradle cap from re-occurring.
Baby massage oil
The benefits of baby massage are endless. It strengthens the bond between mother and baby, it helps baby to relax and sleep at bedtime.
Coconut oil is pure and safe as well as nourishing and healing for baby’s tender and sensitive skin. The beautiful subtle aroma of coconut is also calming for your baby’s senses.
Adding coconut oil and a drop of pure lavender oil will make bath time soothing, moisturising and relaxing for both baby and mum.
Thrush, yeast and candida
Taken both internally and externally, coconut oil can help treat the yeast that causes thrush and candida. A little coconut oil dabbed inside the baby’s mouth and on mum’s nipples before breast-feeding is an effective way for baby to receive the benefits. And if mum eats some oil, the benefits are multiplied.
Applying coconut oil to a nursing mum’s nipples will also help with painful cracks and irritation.
Teething
Coconut oil is pure and safe to eat therefore it is also safe to pop into the baby’s mouth. Rub the oil directly onto the gums of teething babies and children to ease the pain.
– Jenni Madison is the founder and managing director of fairtrade company Coconut Magic. She adopted The Healthy Coconut lifestyle after personally discovering the amazing health benefits of coconut oil while living and working in Thailand in 2010.
