Olive - or other? - oil for newborn/meconium days

[HeatherB]

I am pretty sure with my last DS that I had a small bottle of olive oil which I used on his bum to make those meconium diaper changes easier. I haven't found a small bottle of olive oil yet, but did come across some other oils I already have...

So, I'm wondering, is olive oil best because it doesn't absorb as well into the skin? Or would other oils - like Burt's Bees Apricot Oil or one of the Earth Mama Angel Baby oils - work, too? The EMAB oil is organic, which is great, and the apricot oil smells nice, at least.

Just trying to figure out if it's worth investing in something else or if these are just as well. I do also have EMAB diaper ointment though I think an oil that's easily applied might be better for a tiny little bum.

Any thoughts or experiences?

[ann_of_loxley]

Any oil is good. Almond oil is really nice for all over their body. The only downside to olive oil is that its a heavy oil - unlike almond or sunflower oil. But if you are just using it on his bum...it wouldn't matter! lol
I would recommend organic of course!

[P.J.]

We used organic almond oil. It was kind of expensive (around $13 for a bottle) but DS is 5 months now and we still have about half the bottle left. We've been using it for baby massage. Almond oil is a great all-round body oil (I also used it on my pregnant belly) so I say it's worth the investment. But you definitely don't have to use it....olive oil will work too!

[aramat]

Olive oil is great; just pour some into a little bottle to keep at the diaper changing station. No reason you have to go for anything pricier!

[MaerynPearl]

According to my midwife any oil works, they just suggest olive oil to their moms so that if theres any left over it can be used in the kitchen

[BarefootGirl]

My Bradley instructor suggested oil for the meconium days as well. I'm wondering if that will ruin my cloth dipes? I'll be using prefolds and covers and was planning to use flushable liners for as long as there was meconium.

[Knitting Mama]

Oil should be fine for your cloth diapers. It's zinc products you have to worry about.

[BarefootGirl]

Thanks!

[Adaline'sMama]

We used Apricot Oil by Motherlove, for DDs whole body (really helped with peeling skin). It was awesome.

[HeatherB]

Are the lighter oils going to be at all effective against the meconium stickiness, though? I suppose we can just get some regular olive oil from what we have on hand, but DH buys the good stuff and may not love using it on a bum.

[Shanesmom]

I highly recommend organic olive oil!! It's really not that much money, and a little goes a long way for diaper changes.

I've been using it on my son for every diaper change since he's been born and we've never had a rash; his skin is smooth, moistured, and perfect! Simply dip your wipe in the oil before you clean him and it takes everthing off nicely. No need for diaper rash creams or anything!

Not only is it simple and pretty inexpensive, it's very healthy too. Because your baby will absorbe it into his skin, always make sure it's organic and he'll get a nice dose of antioxidents as a perk!

[Terrilein]

In our clinic they had jojoba oil on hand if necessary. I like it - it smells more neutral than olive oil. ATM, I'm using a completely different baby oil by Weleda. It smells nice and we use it to moisturize after baths or soften up dry patches of skin.