Baby oil for massage?

[Stephanie]

I have heard thoughts of reason why you shouldn't use baby oil for massaging infants. But is it really bad? My friend loves the smell of baby oil and she wants to use it to massage her baby. I told her why people think it's not the best idea, but she really wants to use it. Should I keep telling her to try something else? And what are some options for different oils that are okay for babies?

[veggiemom]

Don't use baby oil. It is really bad for babies especially if they get any in their mouth. Better oils for her baby would be something natural and edible like grapeseed or apricot. I like to use sunflower myself. Those all of a little scent sometimes but not much. They are all natural and you can buy them at the grocery store if you wanted to. Maybe you can buy some for your friend and give it to her as a gift, then she might try it. Just a thought.

[Melinda M]

I didn't know baby oil wasn't good for babies until I was at the hospital and one of the nurses said something about it. I've used baby oil once and a while on my kids but I would never do it now. The really bad thing is that smell just reminds me of babies.

[mimi dunleavy]

Baby oil is really bad for babies. It is made from petroleum burn off (like gasoline). Can you imagine if your baby put their hand in their mouth and ate some. Yuck! It's reall horrible how Johnsons & Johnsons can keep selling this stuff and most people don't know how bad it truly is.

[ozmama]

it is petroleum by-product as mentioned (it's mineral oil). because it is mineral oil it is listed as a substitute to lamp oil for the decorative oil lamps. nice, eh?

[lilikin]

I know a lot of people who think it's okay to use baby oil for massage. But after reading all of this and then other things on the internet I know it's really not good. I am going to start letting people know that it is not okay. What would be best to have them use instead?

[marissa]

If we're not supposed to use baby oil, what would be the best oil to use for infant massage? I received a bunch of johnson and johnson stuff at my baby shower and thought it would be good for massage, especially the night time lotion, but now I am not sure. Any ideas?