People and parents, now more than ever, are taking a look at what they and their children are eating, using and consuming. The popular organic lifestyle has many benefits; however some natural alternatives may be doing more harm than good to babies.
Specifically, a recent study revealed that olive oil and sunflower oil could be bad for infants. These natural oils are often recommended by midwives for dry skin as an alternative to baby lotion. However, when working with new parents at your travel nursing job, be sure to educate them on the dangers of these oils for newborns.
Study overview
Researchers at The University of Manchester were intrigued by the increase in childhood eczema over the past 50 years. According to the study's press release, only 5 percent of children ages two to 15 had eczema in the 1940s. Today, 30 percent of children between two and 15 have eczema.
To test the effects of natural oils on newborn infants, researchers divided the babies into three groups: olive oil, sunflower oil and no oil. Each group received a few drops of each (or no) oil type twice per day for one month.
The groups that were given the oil treatments were more hydrated overall than babies who did not receive any oil. However, the oil groups did not have nearly as much improvement in the skin's lipid lamellae structure compared to the babies who did not have the oil treatment.
Alison Cooke, a midwifery lecturer who led the study, said in a press release that the lipid lamellae is an important aspect of the skin, particularly in children.
"If the skin barrier function is a wall with bricks made of cells, then the lipid lamellae is the mortar that holds it together," Cooke said. "If it isn't developed enough then cracks appear which let water out and foreign bodies through. Oil prevents this mortar from developing as quickly and this could be linked to the development of conditions such as eczema."
As a result, the Manchester University researchers concluded that oil treatment was not recommended for babies.
"We need to do more research on this issue with different oils and also study possible links to eczema, but what is clear is that the current advice given to parents is not based on any evidence and until this is forthcoming the use of these two oils on new born baby skin should be avoided," Cooke explained.
Safe alternatives
Because sunflower oil and olive oil are not optimal treatment options for babies and young children based on this research, review some healthy and safe alternatives to these oils.
Dr. Mona Gohara of Yale University's School of Medicine's dermatology department shared seven moisturizers that are baby-friendly with Parents magazine. She said that ointments are the most hydrating, followed by creams and lotions. Other physicians and academics throughout the field of dermatology also support these products:
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment.
- Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion.
- Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment.
- Babytime! Soothing Cream by Episencial .
- CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion.
- Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Instant Therapy Creme.
- Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream.
What is your go-to moisturizer for your prenatal patients? Do you prefer one type of moisturizer over another (ointment, cream, lotion)?
The alternatives look great. I think it’s worth trying for, than risking the baby’s health.