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You’ve heard all the benefits of coconut oil, from its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to helping with weight loss. But, is coconut oil also good for babies? What about coconut oil baby food? If you have a baby, you want to do what is in their best interest. So continue reading to discover if adding coconut oil to their food will offer any benefits for your little one.
Can a baby eat coconut oil?
You may have heard that coconut oil can be used to treat eczema in babies, but can babies also eat it? Yes, you can add coconut oil to your baby’s food. In fact, it even offers a range of benefits, which we’ll go into below.
One word of caution, before proceeding. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat. Using it for weight gain and/or sparingly with cooking is fine, but just watch how much coconut oil your baby (or the other members of your family) eat to limit the chances of high cholesterol and heart disease.
Can I use coconut oil in my baby food?
Yes, as long as your baby is over 6 months old, you can add coconut to their food. What type of coconut oil for baby food is best? You should choose virgin coconut oil when preparing food for your baby.
Can I cook my baby’s food in coconut oil? Yes, coconut oil can also be used as a healthier substitute for butter when preparing food for your baby.
While coconut oil isn’t a common allergen, it is still possible for your baby to have an allergy to it. As with introducing any new foods, be sure to monitor your baby for signs of an allergic reaction the first few times you use coconut oil in their food.
What age can babies eat coconut oil?
Most pediatricians recommend waiting until a baby has started solid foods to give them coconut oil. For most babies, this will be around the age of 6 months. However, you can always consult with your pediatrician for specific recommendations for your infant.
Can I give my 1 year old coconut oil? Yes, most 1 year olds can have coconut oil since they are already eating solid foods.
Benefits of coconut oil for baby food?
What are the benefits of coconut oil for baby? There are actually a number of different ways adding coconut oil into baby food can benefit your little one. These include:
- Providing healthy fats to help with weight gain
- Encouraging the development of a healthy brain
- Facilitating cell repair
- Increasing energy levels
- Offering relief from constipation
Coconut Oil Baby Food
You can make your own baby food with coconut oil. Here’s what you’ll need to make a tasty and healthy pear and coconut oil purée.
Ingredients
- 6 cups peeled and cut pear (about 1-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons breastmilk or formula
Instructions
- Heat
Add the coconut oil to a medium saucepan over a medium-low heat.
- Melt
Melt the coconut oil, then add in the pears.
- Cook
Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the pear chunks have become soft and tender.
- Blend
Put the pears and coconut oil mixture into a blender.
- Add milk
Add in the formula or breastmilk.
- Purée
Purée until there are no chunks of pear left.
- Add more milk
If needed, add in an additional tablespoon of breastmilk or liquid.
- Cool
Let cool completely, then portion out for storage in the refrigerator or freezer.
FAQs
Coconut oil offers many potential benefits for babies. These include helping them gain weight with healthy fats, facilitating the development of a healthy brain, assisting with cell repair, increasing their energy levels, and providing relief from constipation,
Yes, coconut oil works as a natural laxative to relieve constipation. Adding a small amount (about 2 mL) of virgin coconut oil to your baby’s food, or even directly to your baby’s anus, can help. If your baby is younger than 6 months old, you may want to consult with your pediatrician first.
Coconut Oil Baby Food
What do you think? Does coconut oil sound like something you’d like to mix in with your baby’s food? Do you think the benefits it offers could help your little one?
Check out these related posts on our blog to learn more about using coconut oil:
