Baby Oil with Starflower

A nourishing organic baby oil, rich in linoleic fatty acids from sunflower and starflower, to soften your baby’s skin, protect their delicate skin barrier and clear cradle cap. Starflower (borage) with its high content of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) has been shown to be particularly beneficial. The addition of coconut oil softens the blend and gives a gentle natural coconut aroma making it ideal for massage. Our pump cap makes dispensing easy.

Warm in your hands before sharing a lovely massage with your baby. For cradle cap gently massage half a teaspoon of oil on the scalp twice a day for two weeks. Leave for at least fifteen minutes before gently combing or brushing to remove any softened flakes. Thereafter use three times a week. Use Baby Bath when needed to clean excess oils from the hair.

Without

Massage – The legs are a good place to introduce baby massage. Begin by warming Baby Oil in your hands before holding your baby’s ankle with one hand. With your other hand around the top of their thigh, fingers on top and thumb underneath, stroke down towards the ankle. In a smooth transition swap hands at the ankle so the opposite one supports. Place your free hand at the top of the thigh and repeat in a flowing motion. Keep your fingers close together as you massage.

Before you begin read Massage for baby.

Within

Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, Borago officinalis (Starflower) seed oil*, tocopherol (Vitamin E from Sunflower)

*from organic agriculture  99.5% Organic of total. 100% natural origin

Nutrition – If your baby has cradle cap some dietary interventions may help. One possible cause of the condition is fungal infection so if you or your baby has had antibiotics or you otherwise suspect a fungal component and are still breastfeeding:

Try to avoid refined sugars which feed yeasts

Include live bio yoghurt

Supplement your diet with an acidophilus supplement

Babies can also be given an infant specific supplement containing bifidus infantis.

Poor intestinal flora may lead to biotin insufficiency as this B vitamin is manufactured by the good bacteria in our intestines. This vitamin is needed by the body for the metabolism of essential fats and has a role in promoting healthy skin, hair and nerves.

The richest dietary sources of biotin are liver and egg yolks but it is also found in meat, dairy and wholegrains. Avoid foods using raw egg, such as homemade mayonnaise, as this contains a protein which binds biotin making it unavailable for absorption.

As cradle cap is also an inflammatory condition include sources of essential fatty acids (from fish or cold pressed oils) to encourage the production of anti inflammatory prostaglandins.

Massage for baby

For the baby receiving and the person giving, massage has numerous benefits. Most important of these is strengthening of bonding through interaction. Others include relief from wind, colic and constipation, relaxation and improved sleep and stimulation of the immune system.

Massage can be enjoyed any time of day but make sure you are both ready, your baby calm and alert and you not feeling rushed. Avoid massaging when your baby is hungry or unsettled, has a temperature or seems unwell and over skin that has cuts, sores, recent bruising or is inflamed.

If you have any medical concerns always check with a health professional.

Lay your baby on a soft towel and a waterproof mat in a warm room with comfortable lighting, then all you need is baby massage oil and you’re ready to go.

Try to make eye contact, speak and, if you like, sing to your baby as you massage.

Whenever you massage always make sure your baby is happy for you to do so. Always watch and listen to their reactions and if they’ve had enough give them a break or leave the massage for another day.

To find out where you can attend a local baby massage course to learn a full routine contact the International Association of Infant Massage.