Trying to get a baby to gain weight can be stressful. Babies getting the ideal weight each month indicates that they are growing and developing well, their nutrition is in order, and they are on the right track to pink health.
If the baby is 5th percentile or lower of the weight-for-age measurement in the growth chart prescribed but the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, pediatricians often find ways to help babies gain weight. As per The Asian Parent, one of the natural ways to achieve a baby's weight is by supplementing their diet with virgin coconut oil.
Can VCO help babies gain weight?
Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is an edible oil made from the milk of fresh and matured coconut, a tropical plant that belongs to the palm family. It is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), making it edible and easily digested in the body.
A study published by the Philippine Children's Medical Center showed that infants getting VCO-supplemented milk gained weight significantly compared to those given non-fortified milk.
Another study done in 2018 concluded that virgin coconut oil effectively improves weight among deficient birth weight babies, especially preterm infants.
In Asian countries like the Philippines, doctors advise parents of preemies to supplement their child's milk and food to help their child gain weight.
As per Dr. Barbara Ann Ejercito-Manio, a pediatrician at Asian Hospital and Medical Center, VCO, as an added supplement to food and milk can boost children's weight gain. She recommends VCO to underweight babies. However, supplementing VCO should only be done with the advice and guidance of the doctor.
Ejercito-Manio added that giving VCO to supplement the baby's food and drink should start when the child has started eating solids. VCO should also be provided in small amounts and gradually increasing it. The pediatrician warns that giving VCO more than the required amount could lead to a baby's diarrhea and stomach distress.
She also advised parents to ensure balance when giving fatty acids to babies and stick only with the amount of VCO the baby could take.
For instance, she explained that if parents started giving their babies 1mL, parents should gradually increase it to 2mL, then 3mL. If the child shows signs of diarrhea and stomach distress at 3mL, Ejercito-Manio suggests reverting to 2mL.
Other benefits of VCO for babies
According to Healthline, virgin coconut oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties due to its lauric acid. Research suggests that lauric acid in VCO acts as a bacteriostatic agent, preventing bacteria from multiplying without killing them. As per a study, VCO impacts several disease-causing microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aereus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter pylori.
As per Parenting, VCO also addresses constipation in babies and is a remedy for various baby skin problems like cradle cap, eczema, chapped lips, diaper rash, and baby acne. It also works best as a baby's skin moisturizer and a natural insect repellant.
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