How to sterilize oil for newborns: how long to boil vegetable fat in a water bath for a baby, how to use the composition for a child under one year old?

What is oil used for?

Daily care for a newborn includes treating folds. Diaper rash most often occurs in these places because it is warm and humid. When the baby actively moves, friction can damage delicate skin, which leads to inflammation and redness.

That's why we lubricate the newborn with oil. First behind the ears, then we process the neck folds, go down to the armpits, after which we move on to the elbow folds and small folds on the palms. We process the legs from bottom to top, starting with the toes and gradually moving to the ankle joints. Don't forget to lubricate under the knees and in the groin folds.

Don't overdo it with oil. Of course, it moisturizes perfectly, but using it too often deprives the skin of the ability to “breathe,” which is also bad. Therefore, we use it without fanaticism, in moderation and when necessary.

There are a lot of oils on the shelves, which one should you choose?

Readers of Ogrudnichke.ru recommend: - Review of the most popular vitamin supplements for children from Garden of Life Read the article >>> - How can Earth Mama products help young parents care for their infants?
Read the article - Dong Quai is an amazing plant that helps maintain youth in the female body Read - Vitamin complexes, probiotics, omega-3 from Garden of Life, designed specifically for pregnant women Find out more >>> As for the varieties, all are suitable the three options above. But it is still recommended to spend money on olive oil. Advantages:

healing effect;
excellent hydration;
does not leave marks on clothes.

Pediatricians advise purchasing Vaseline oil for newborns. This product should be in your first aid kit. If not for constant use, then at least for alternating with another. It will be useful for babies in the following cases:

for wiping skin folds;
to remove crusts on the head;
for the treatment of prickly heat;
for treating the bottom when changing a diaper;
for healing microcracks in the skin;
to stop inflammatory processes.

Vaseline oil is absolutely safe for your baby. It has an antiseptic, wound-healing effect, does not cause irritation, and serves as an obstacle to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, it is suitable for all skin types and perfectly retains moisture in the upper layers of the epidermis.

Plant-based or store-bought?

The main criterion when choosing an oil is its tolerance to the baby and the feasibility of the purchase.

Today there are many child care products. Such children's cosmetics usually undergo standardization, they are hypoallergenic, and are specially adapted for use in infancy. Buying cosmetics from famous brands is not difficult. However, even the most advanced and hypoallergenic product can cause skin irritation in individual cases. You can also use regular vegetable oil for lubrication, sunflower or olive, for example. It has a number of advantages:

saves financial costs;
does not cause allergies;
does not contain fragrances or other chemical compounds;
It is possible to sterilize the oil.

Is rubbing beneficial or harmful for babies?

It is especially important to keep the skin of a child under one year clean and dry . With various diseases, improper care or aggressive environmental influences, the thin stratum corneum becomes thinner and dryness and irritation may appear. To avoid this, after bathing, parents apply vegetable oil to the child’s skin.

Is this necessary at all? Experts believe that using oil, although a pleasant and useful activity, is completely optional. Parents must decide; for this they need to weigh the pros and cons of this procedure.

Benefit:

oil reduces friction, which causes damage to the baby’s delicate skin;
additional hydration and nutrition occurs;
regenerating properties increase;
the skin swells less.

Harm:

oiled skin does not breathe well;
allergies may occur.

Why boil

They do this just for sterilization. However, many mothers doubt the advisability of such actions, and this is quite logically explained. The fact is that the oil is used for external use, and not for internal use. In addition, it would be correct not to place the baby in a “sterile” world, because real life does not imply such conditions.

But if you still decide to boil it, it’s your personal choice and there’s nothing criminal about it. It’s just important to learn how to perform this procedure correctly.

Best before date

Boiled oil after heat treatment is considered sterile for only a few hours. So, if you want to use sterile oil for your newborn, it is recommended to make a small portion and repeat this procedure as needed.

In any case, everything that is done by the hands of a caring mother for a newborn little one conveys her love and tenderness to her own baby. Therefore, whether you decide to use vegetable oil boiled at home or purchased, the choice is yours.

Source

How to do it

The advice to boil the oil does not mean that it should boil with bubbles like ordinary water. Our goal is to sterilize it, and for this, warming it up in a water bath is enough.

To boil properly, you will need the actual oil you have chosen, a large saucepan, and a container for boiling (a glass jar will do).

Pour water into a large saucepan. Pour a small amount of oil into a glass jar or bottle and place in the pan. You can put a cotton cloth on the bottom of the pan. It will serve as a kind of layer and prevent cracks from occurring in the jar. Attention! The jar of oil should heat up gradually. Do not place the container in already boiling water.
Place the pan on gas and bring the water in it to a boil, then reduce the heat. It is recommended to boil for 5 minutes (minimum) to 30 minutes (maximum). In this case, only water should boil, while the oil is sterilized by heating.
After the specified time has passed, you can remove the container with oil from the water and let it cool. Cool to room temperature, then screw on the lid and put in a cool, dark place.

Do not allow the oil to boil, otherwise it will ignite. To avoid this, we use a water bath. If fire does occur, do not try to extinguish the fire with water. At best, your experiment will end with a black spot on the ceiling. The container with the burning liquid is covered with an iron lid from the pan, thus removing the access of oxygen. Without oxygen combustion, the flame will go out instantly.

Benefits of vegetable oil

Why is vegetable oil used for newborns? After all, it is much easier to purchase a product from a well-known brand. Special baby oils have quality certificates. They are suitable for small children and are hypoallergenic. But even the best cosmetics have fragrances and other chemical elements. Yes, these products are designed and adapted for babies. But you can’t be completely sure that your little one’s skin will accept what you bought in the store. It happens that one of the components causes individual intolerance. The result is irritation.

Purchased products do not require sterilization. However, doubts about the quality and composition always remain. Postpone experiments for the future. When it comes to a newborn, it is better to use natural products. Advantages of vegetable oil:

does not cause allergic reactions;
you have no doubt about its composition;
subject to sterilization;
does not require large expenses.

The choice is up to the mother. If you decide to give preference to a natural product, you should choose the best option.

Indications and contraindications for use

Indications for rubbing the baby's skin with vegetable oil may be:

dry skin;
peeling;
the occurrence of diaper rash;
redness in the folds and folds of the arms and legs.

There are practically no contraindications to the use of vegetable oil . The only reason to refuse to use it is the child’s individual intolerance, which can manifest itself in the form of allergic rashes and irritation at the site of contact with the skin.

Why do you need a sterilized product in the house?

For the baby, you can take Vaseline, sunflower or olive oil. They are used for several purposes:

for massage;
to eliminate dry skin (15 – 20 drops in bathing water);
for treating folds on the skin to avoid diaper rash.

The massage is done with light movements. You need to apply the oil on your palms and stroke the baby’s arms, legs, tummy, and back.

The folds are processed to prevent diaper rash. These places are humid and warm. In addition, friction arises when the little one is actively floundering. Inflammation should be prevented. What areas should you pay attention to?

behind the ears;
folds on the neck;
armpits;
elbow bends;
palms;
between the toes;
under the knees;
inguinal folds.

There is no need to cover your entire body with a greasy product every day. Pores need to breathe. Remember that unnecessary zeal in this matter is not welcome.

On what areas of the skin is it applied?

Problem areas of the skin on a little person’s body require special care. First of all, these are places that are subject to friction against each other, as well as against clothing. After each bathing, vegetable oil is applied to:

skin behind the ears;
armpits;
elbow bends;
neck;
folds on the legs;
other necessary areas.

This list may expand depending on the condition of the newborn’s skin and its characteristics. After taking a bath, you should carefully examine the child’s body and note any changes in the skin , for example, the appearance of new redness or peeling that was not typical before.

Important : If persistent diaper rash occurs on the skin, you should contact your pediatrician.

Step-by-step sterilization instructions

Before processing the body, it is necessary to prepare the oil. How to sterilize oil for newborns correctly? Everything is extremely simple:

Pour water into a medium-sized saucepan;
Fill a glass container with oil. A jar or bottle will do;
Cover the bottom of the pan with cotton cloth or gauze folded in several layers. This will prevent glass containers from cracking;
Place the bowl of oil in a pan of cold water. If you put the glass in hot water, it may break. There is no need to cover with a lid;
Heat the water, bringing it to a boil. At the same time, the oil will warm up;
Make sure that the oil itself does not boil. Otherwise it may ignite;
The duration of the sterilization process is approximately 20 minutes;
While the water is boiling, the oil needs to be stirred. Use a wooden spoon or stick;
Add the evaporated water. Its level should be 1-2 cm higher than the oil level.

Tips for parents

To ensure that your baby’s skin is always healthy and that vegetable oil does not cause harm, you must adhere to simple rules:

Do not add other ingredients or creams to vegetable oil. They will not dissolve, and the resulting heterogeneous structure can injure the child’s skin. If there is a need to apply another product, this should be done before or after the oil.
Vegetable oil should be used every day after bathing.
Folds should be processed as long as necessary. The older the child gets, the better the skin adapts to its environment. If there are no problems with diaper rash or irritation, you can stop using the oil after 1.5-2 months.

In what cases is sterile oil used?

The baby's skin can be treated with olive or sunflower oil (both refined and unrefined). However, keep in mind that unrefined oil has a specific odor and may not be liked by the baby. As a result, he will become more moody and restless.

Sterile oil products are used for the following purposes:

performing massage;
ridding the dermis of dryness (it is enough to add 15-20 drops to the water in the bath to make the baby’s skin softer and more moisturized);
lubricating folds to prevent diaper rash.

Skin areas to be treated:

behind the ears;
in the folds on the neck;
armpits;
on the elbows;
on the palms;
between the toes;
under the knees;
in the inguinal folds.

Please note that you should not be overzealous with lubricating delicate baby skin with sterile oil. You don't need to do this process every day. This is explained by the fact that the applied oil product can clog the pores, preventing it from “breathing”. This product should be used only as needed.

In addition, when you use sterile oil for the first time, make sure that your baby does not have an allergic reaction to this product . To do this, you need to apply a drop of oil to a small area of the skin. If irritation does not appear after some time, then the product can be used for its intended purpose.

Otherwise, you should consult your pediatrician.

Which type should you choose and why?

You can find refined and unrefined oil on sale.
Refined can be cold or hot pressed. Cold-pressed oil retains the greatest amount of useful substances, since there is no heating process. Since it is planned to use the product not for its intended purpose, but to lubricate the skin of a newborn, there is no fundamental difference. However, cold pressed oil is more expensive. The second option is unrefined oil. It has a characteristic smell and also contains more vitamins. When sterilized in a water bath, unrefined oil will burn and smoke more , and the baby may not like the natural smell of the product.

There is also natural sunflower oil. It is made from peeled seeds by pressing using a press and is highly valued by chefs. This oil is characterized by a pronounced odor and a thick sediment. You can experience a range of flavors in dishes prepared with it, however, there is no point in using it to lubricate the skin of a newborn.

It doesn't make much difference which oil you use . The main selection criterion should be its tolerability to newborns. The less odor the selected product leaves behind, the better.

Oil product sterilization time

Many mothers prefer to sterilize the oil to rid it of possible harmful bacteria. This is not always justified, since a newborn does not live in sterile conditions and is constantly exposed to various microorganisms. In addition, this product is not used internally, but is applied to the skin. However, most parents believe that it is better to heat the oil before using it.

So, you decided to boil the oil. The time interval during which the product must be processed is from 5 to 30 minutes, not more than . However, it’s worth considering that you won’t be able to simply pour vegetable oil into a pan, put it on the fire and heat it. In this case, the oil product will burn and its beneficial properties will be lost. In addition, if exposed to high temperatures for a long time, the oil product may ignite.

In order for the oil to retain all its inherent vitamins and microelements, it should be boiled in a water bath.

Active components

Attention : The raw materials for vegetable oils are mainly the seeds and fruits of oilseed plants, such as sunflower, flax, sesame, soybean, palm, sea buckthorn, olives, etc. Regardless of the culture of origin, they all have benefits.

Vegetable oils contain fatty acids, some of which are unable to be synthesized independently in the body, as well as various vitamins. In addition, certain types of oils are very useful for humans :

olive – improves immunity;
sunflower – has an antioxidant effect;
peanut – calms the nervous system;
corn – increases resistance to infections;
sea buckthorn – relieves inflammation;
Flaxseed – contains a large amount of omega-3.

Preparatory stage

Before you start sterilizing oil for a newborn, you need to prepare a container in which it will be stored.

The best option is a small glass jar with a lid or a glass bottle. It is not recommended to store the oil product in a plastic container.

Be sure to sterilize the container in which the finished oil will be located. You also need to boil the lid in a water bath , which will be used to close the container.

How to boil oil in a water bath?

The process of sterilizing oil in a water bath is quite simple.

Pour water into a small saucepan. The container is placed on a burner with minimal heat. You need to wait until the liquid warms up, but does not become too hot. This is because a jar of oil can easily crack in hot water. To prevent cracking of the container, many housewives place gauze or a piece of cloth folded in several layers at the bottom of the pan.
Approximately 250 milliliters of oil should be poured into a sterile jar. The container should be placed in water that has already heated up.
Make sure that the water level in the pan is 1-2 centimeters higher than the oil product in the jar. Do not cover the pan or jar with a lid while the liquid is being sterilized. Please note that as you sterilize the oil, the water in the pan will gradually boil away, so it should be added periodically.
While the process of calcining the oil is taking place, it must be stirred periodically so that it warms up evenly. For these purposes, you can use a wooden spatula.
You may notice small bubbles forming on the surface of the oil. This will indicate that the product is sterilized. After approximately 20 minutes, the heat must be turned off, the jar removed from the pan and left to cool.

Don’t worry if, during the sterilization process of the oil product, some water gets into the container where it is located. The water will rise to the surface and quickly evaporate.

While in a water bath, the oil should not ignite, since it will warm up evenly. But if a flame does appear, you should not try to extinguish it with water, as this may increase the heat even more. You need to quickly close the pan with a lid and turn off the burner. Without oxygen, the fire will quickly go out.

Medical uses of petroleum jelly

Vaseline oil for newborns is recommended as an antiseptic - a disinfectant that can destroy pathogenic bacteria. Even in the maternity hospital, young mothers are advised to use it to treat the baby’s skin.

With it you can:

remove crust from under baby's hair;
prevent or cure heat rash;
clean your baby's nose so that he can breathe easier;
moisturize baby's skin;
relieve skin irritation;
get a massage.

First of all, it serves to carefully remove crusts on the baby’s head. Almost all babies develop diathesis crusts on the crown of their head, firmly stuck to the scalp. The difficulty is that they are under the hair. It is impossible to remove them with a comb alone; you can accidentally injure the delicate skin under the hair of a newborn baby. To avoid infection through microcracks caused by scratching, use Vaseline oil.

It softens the crust and allows you to remove it safely, without harming the health of the baby. It is necessary to lubricate the entire area covered with crust about an hour before bathing, put a cap on your head or cover it with a scarf to enhance the result, and wait a little. Softened crusts are removed much easier and more painlessly than dry ones.

There should be no side effects during the use of the product, except for individual sensitivity. You should not spread the oil in excess, so as not to clog the pores and block the flow of oxygen to the baby’s skin. You should apply a minimum amount of oil that can be quickly absorbed without leaving damage to the child’s body. After treatment, Vaseline oil should not be left on the baby’s skin; it must be washed off.

How to treat diaper rash and heat rash

Vaseline oil is used for newborns and for healing the body. It is used for the prevention and treatment of diaper rash. After changing the diaper, they lightly moisturize the skin folds in the groin and buttocks. It is advisable to do this after each washing procedure.

The layer of oil should be thin so as not to get a problem instead of benefit - clogged pores, which can lead to inflammation or an allergic reaction. The baby’s skin must breathe, because it is through the pores that the newborn receives oxygen for some time.

With the help of this medication, heat rash is not only prevented, but also cured. This reddish, itchy rash is caused by the child overheating and sweating. It is important to use a minimal amount of oil to avoid the opposite effect: repeated sweating as a result of clogging of pores after the oil. Vaseline oil is good for infants for massage.

Young mothers can also use it during lactation. They heal microcracks in the nipples so that feeding the baby does not hurt, and apply compresses with oil to the breasts if there is a blockage in the milk. The oil will help soften the breasts, after which the flow of milk will improve.

How to use the nasal cleanser

Many mothers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to clean a newborn’s nose with Vaseline oil. This is just another way to use the product. Often dust and mucus collect in the baby's nose, all this makes his breathing difficult, and he still does not know how to blow his nose on his own. You can use a cotton swab to lubricate the nasal mucosa with a thin layer of Vaseline oil. The benefit is that you don't have to worry about damaging the blood vessels in your sinuses. The gentle action of the oil will help remove dry crusts from the nose and make breathing easier for the baby.