 Natural Newborn Baby Advice: Olive oil and Meconium
source: Jennifer Lance at ecochildsplay Date: 12/14/07
My sister is due to have a baby next week, and I have been trying to
think of the best, natural, newborn baby advice. My sister’s labor will
be quite different than mine, as both of my children were born at home
in water, and she will be giving birth in a hospital. My midwives had
prepared a list of things needed for a home birth, and one item on the
list was organic olive oil.
I have read many books on natural childbirth, such as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Special Delivery. When I saw olive oil on my midwives’ list, I assumed it was for massaging the perineum
to prevent tearing during labor. After my first child was born;
however, I discovered the real reason every newborn’s parent should
have olive oil on hand.
A newborn baby’s first stools are called meconium. Meconium is a dark, tar-like substance created in the baby’s digestive system in utero from ingesting amniotic fluid, epithelial cells, etc. In fact, the term meconium is derived from the term meconium-arion, meaning “opium-like”, because of its thick, dark appearance.
Meconium is difficult to remove from newborn babies’ bottoms. Diaper
wipes and warm soapy wash clothes just smear the substance around.
Olive oil is the best substance for removing meconium, and it also
leaves a protective barrier on the baby’s bottom, which makes future
meconium clean up easier. In fact, some doulas
and midwives recommend putting olive oil on the newborn’s bottom before
any meconium appears to ease the first diaper change. Some hospitals
recommend parents use Vaseline, but it is a petroleum product and not
something I would want to put on my children’s skin.
Olive oil is great for baby’s skin! It makes meconium clean up
easier and is useful for treating other common infant problems, such as
cradle cap. Next time you attend a baby shower, give the gift of olive
oil!
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