Sterilization of vegetable oil for newborns: how to boil in a water bath

Gauze diapers for a newborn baby.

Gauze diapers for a newborn or diapers - what to choose for the maternity hospital?
Often, an expectant mother thinks about this question. Read about the very first clothes for newborns; here we will talk about gauze diapers. Of course, now there is a large selection of ready-made diapers or other hygiene products. But some mothers prefer gauze diapers. Previously, when diapers were not available in nature, there was no choice. Gauze diapers were an essential item... Discussion

All you girls should do is giggle. Well, this time (as in the previous two) I first used gauze diapers (I bought them at the pharmacy, very cheap) and simply bought very thin diapers and folded them. And I still use it))). It’s not so scary, the machine washes it. And I sewed the second one myself, I bought the fabric on Trekhgorka, beautiful, with bears))), after my son, several more children grew up in them. They make it from old bed linen because the fabric is softer, that’s all. Well, there are some of us who don’t like keeping a child in diapers all day (and not at all out of economy). And the “fashionable” reusable ones that the girls write about here are very, very expensive. I personally felt sorry for the money; for me (and not only for me, I think) it’s a little expensive.

“By the way, if you want to make such gauze diapers with your own hands, contact your friends with an offer to get rid of old bed linen” :))))))))) It just fell

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.

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.

Pharmacies and specialized children's stores offer a wide variety of products for caring for the delicate and sensitive skin of a newborn. But the additives and fragrances they contain can cause skin irritation. Therefore, homemade oil is the safest and most proven care product over the years. To care for the baby, sunflower or extra virgin olive oil is suitable. It is better to choose small jars in which sterile oil will be stored, with tight-fitting lids. They must be thoroughly washed and sterilized. Then leave to cool on a soft, lint-free cloth. A waffle towel is suitable for this.

Pour water into the pan so that the jar of oil is hidden by 2/3. A special grid, gauze or a sheet of cardboard is placed at the bottom. This will protect the jar from severe overheating, which can lead to its rupture. Place the pan on the fire and heat the water a little. It should not be too hot, otherwise the jar may burst.

Oil is poured into pre-prepared jars to half the volume. Immerse them in a saucepan so that the water level is 2-3 cm higher than the oil level in the jar. The jar should not be closed, if water suddenly gets into the oil, it will quickly evaporate.

From time to time, the oil must be stirred with a wooden stick so that it warms up evenly. The entire sterilization process takes no more than 30 minutes.

After sterilization is complete, you must carefully remove the jar of sterile oil and let it cool. After the oil has cooled, it can be used for its intended purpose. Sterile oil is stored well; for this, the jar is tightly closed with a lid and placed in a dark place.

The skin of a newborn is dry, so it requires special care and moisturizing. Vegetable oil is a good natural moisturizer. After carrying out hygiene procedures, they need to carefully lubricate all the folds on the baby’s body. The oil has antiseptic properties, eliminates inflammation, and therefore serves as a good remedy for the treatment and prevention of diaper rash.

Sterile vegetable oil can be used to cleanse the baby’s head of “milky” crusts. You can also sometimes wipe the groin area of a newborn when changing a diaper. The oil cleanses well and does not dry out the skin.

But do not overdo it with the use of sterile oil to care for your baby. An oil film that prevents the release of sweat can cause the formation of heat rash and lead to disruption of thermoregulation.

It is necessary to prepare in advance for the birth of your baby in order to enjoy every minute of the time spent together.

Sterilized and pasteurized butter is produced from high-fat cream obtained by separating hot cream and milk. Air is removed from high-fat cream by vacuuming, poured into tin containers, hermetically sealed and sterilized or pasteurized. The sterilization mode preserves the properties of butter in the finished product without turning it into ghee. After cooling, such oil has the taste and aroma of baked milk, a dense, homogeneous consistency, uniform, white to light yellow color, and can withstand long-term storage, which is why it is often called canned oil.

How to use?

Step-by-step instruction:

After bathing, the newborn's body is blotted with a soft towel until moisture is completely removed from the skin.
The child is placed on a diaper placed on a comfortable horizontal surface.
A cotton pad is moistened with vegetable oil. Some parents prefer to lubricate their baby using their own palms.
You need to start lubricating the newborn’s body from top to bottom. First, the skin behind the ears is treated, then the neck, and after the armpits, folds on the body and groin, as well as the baby’s legs.
Excess oil is removed with a dry cloth.

Do not use oil and talc at the same time . When they are mixed, lumps are formed, which contribute to irritation.

During the procedure, it will be useful to give the newborn a light massage. There is no need to dress the child immediately after application - let the skin absorb the oil and take air baths.

Vaseline oil - what is it?

Vaseline oil has been known for a long time. It was invented back in the 19th century to lubricate wounds and abrasions. This is a colorless oily liquid, which is a purified fraction of oil obtained after distilling off kerosene.

There are no harmful organic substances or their compounds left in the composition. This product does not have analogues identical in composition and structure. It includes:

Liquid paraffin;
Microcrystalline wax;
Mineral oil.

Vaseline oil has a wide range of uses:

applied to wounds, cracks in the corners of the mouth and lips, abrasions, diaper rash to prevent bacteria from entering the damaged areas;
prescribed as a mild laxative;
serves as a solvent for a number of injectable drugs;
is the basis for many cosmetic and medical ointments;
used to lubricate split ends of hair;
used as a lubricant or impregnation.

Also, purified medical vaseline oil is suitable for the skin of a newborn. Look what properties it has:

Does not contain impurities, fragrances or aromatic additives, so it is hypoallergenic and will not cause irritation even to the baby’s delicate skin;
Does not affect the functioning of internal organs, is completely eliminated from the body without accumulating in it, so there will be no harm to the baby;
Creates a film on the skin that prevents moisture loss and prevents dryness;
The liquid paraffin it contains has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, which helps heal wounds;
Paraffin also softens the skin and protects against chafing.

Tips and recommendations for use

The best dishes for a “bath” are pans made of thick-walled stainless steel. If you don't have a pan with a smaller diameter, you can use deep bowls or mugs. The handles of the upper container must be made of metal.

If the upper container does not have handles or is too small in size, which does not allow it to be properly fixed over boiling water, place a cloth napkin folded several times into the water at the bottom of a large pan. In this case, the upper container is placed on a napkin.

A water bath at home is sometimes simply irreplaceable. It’s easy to make, and with a little practice you can independently learn how to make various culinary delights, cosmetics and folk remedies.

Author of the article Gulya Reading time: 3 minutes AA

Reading culinary forums, one can come to the conclusion that the new generation of housewives does not quite understand what a culinary water bath is, how to make this convenient device at home, and most importantly, why and how to use it.

In fact, it is a simple and effective way to create an automatically controlled environment at a specific temperature. They say that ancient alchemists came up with the idea of creating conditions for gentle heating of some particularly delicate ingredients.

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.

Features of cast iron cookware

Cast iron has been used for cookware since ancient times, thanks to its amazing properties of maintaining the same temperature for a long time. In a cast iron frying pan, any dish turns out tasty and beautiful:

you can fry anything, in any case a crispy and appetizing crust will form;
When stewing, the products do not lose their shape.

But these are not all the advantages of such dishes. There are other advantages:

Durability and strength. Modern specimens are very durable - they cannot be damaged even with a knife, and they will not crack if dropped on the floor. This frying pan will last for decades if you take proper care.
Resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
High quality food. Food retains its beneficial substances, but does not absorb harmful ones from cast iron. Again - with proper preparation and care.

However, this excellent option has a number of features that you need to be prepared for:

heavy weight - it is necessary to take into account that cast iron cookware weighs much more than its analogues;
it is impossible to store food in such a frying pan - otherwise odors will be absorbed into the dishes;
instability to moisture - cast iron can quickly rust if not properly cared for;
impossibility of washing in the dishwasher - again due to the appearance of rust;
the need for preparation before using for the first time.

The exception is black enamel - experienced housewives recommend calcining such pans as well.

All non-enamel cookware must be heated on the stove or in the oven. This includes not only frying pans, but, for example, cauldrons, grill pans, and even saucepans.

There are several “golden” rules that will help pass on a cast iron frying pan to the next generation in excellent condition:

Use only mild detergents.
Hand wash only.
Try to remove carbon deposits at their inception using natural remedies - mustard, soda or vinegar.
Do not use metal jaws.
Do not leave food in cast iron cookware.
Soak stubborn stains in hot water.
If there is a thick grease deposit, you can boil water in a frying pan for easier cleaning.
Ensure that the dishes are stored in an oiled cloth.
Always preheat the pan before adding food to it.
After washing, immediately wipe the dishes with a towel, since cast iron should not remain wet.
Wipe food with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

These simple tips will help you maintain the performance properties of your cookware at the best level, making your food as tasty and healthy as possible.

When might such a product be needed?

Quite often, diaper rash appears in the groin area and in the cervical folds of babies, which is provoked by strong sweating.

Sterilized vegetable oil is a powerful antiseptic that eliminates and prevents any inflammatory processes on the skin.

Washing, which usually accompanies every change of diapers, is recommended to be periodically replaced with oily wipes. The latter, unlike soap, do not dry out at all and perfectly cleanse delicate skin. In addition, the oily substance helps remove the “milky” crusts that form on the head of a newborn baby.

Despite all these positive qualities, you should not constantly use such cosmetics, because they form a film impenetrable to air and interfere with the natural secretion of sweat. The result is prickly heat and diaper rash.

Sterilization process

Before sterilizing oil for a newborn yourself, it is important to choose a high-quality and completely natural base product. It’s good if it’s extra virgin olive oil, or regular sunflower oil, but unrefined

The main thing is not to skimp and give preference to trusted manufacturers.

We sterilize glass containers of the required size and a lid that can ensure a tight closure;
Fill a small saucepan with water and place the container on low heat, then heat it up a little. Make sure that the water is not very hot, because the jar may well burst. To avoid damage to glass containers, you can put a piece of thick cardboard or several layers of gauze on the bottom of the saucepan;
The oil itself is poured into the jar, in an amount equal to 250 ml, and sent to a pan with already heated water;
The water in the saucepan should exceed the level of fat in the jar by about 1-2 cm. Do not cover anything with a lid, neither the jar nor the main metal container. It is useless to wait until the contents of the glass container boil, because its boiling point should become higher than the temperature of the water, which is a priori impossible;
Don't worry if some clean water gets inside the jar, it will evaporate quickly;
You need to sterilize for a long time, constantly stirring the contents of the jar so that it warms up as evenly as possible. This is done with a wooden stick or spatula;
You can treat a baby’s skin literally immediately after the homemade cosmetics have cooled.

If you are concerned about the answer to the question of how long to sterilize vegetable oil for newborns, then it is 20 minutes.

The readiness of homemade cosmetics can also be determined by the appearance of bubbles on the surface of the oil, as happens when deep-frying food.

In the event that it was not possible to use all the product for its intended purpose, it can be stored in a tightly closed glass container, or even covered with a metal lid. The substance is stored for quite a long time, especially if you put the jar in a dark and cool place.

Alternative oil products

Vaseline oil is incredibly useful for the baby’s skin, which can be used to moisturize the sinuses immediately before bed, clean the child’s nose of crusts without fear of damaging delicate blood vessels, remove crusts on the head and administer gas tubes and cleansing enemas. Breastfeeding women can use compresses with Vaseline oil to eliminate milk stagnation.

Peach oil for newborns often becomes almost a universal medicine. This substance has clearly defined antimicrobial capabilities, so it helps to cope with the first signs of respiratory diseases.

In case of rhinitis or tonsillitis, the little ones should drop 3-5 drops of oil into each nasal passage, and at first every half hour. This remedy softens the child’s difficulty breathing and prevents the infection from spreading further.

Skin inflammations of various origins are also calmed by peach oil. In this situation, it has an antiseptic and moisturizing effect.

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.

Why and how to sterilize oil for a newborn baby

Caring for a newly born baby brings a lot of joy and a lot of questions. For example, should you use baby oil and which one is best for your baby? Why do some mothers boil it and how to do it correctly? Let's talk about all this in order.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The water should boil, not the contents

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).

Instructions:

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 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.

Best before date

Sterile oil storage

Sterile oil for newborns is used at room temperature. It is better to store it in the refrigerator. But before using, pour out a small amount and let it warm up. For example, you can take a small bottle or glass.

There is no need to stock up on sterile products. It is better to prepare again as needed. 100 – 150 grams for one time is quite enough.

Attention, important point! If the oil does catch fire during sterilization, do not attempt to extinguish it with water. Just cover with a lid. The supply of oxygen will stop and combustion will become impossible.

The above method is suitable for all types of vegetable oils, as well as Vaseline, which is a synthetic product. There are no other options. Do not boil oil directly in a saucepan or other container over a fire. You can’t do this in the microwave either.

Making the product sterile in a water bath is easy. Therefore, searching for other paths is not required.

How to make oil for a newborn baby

Caring for the delicate skin of a newborn is one of the main tasks of young parents. The fact is that due to the thinness of the skin, air exchange occurs in the baby’s body, and how clean and moisturized the baby’s skin is significantly affects this process. The protective properties of the skin during the newborn period are very weak and require constant assistance in case of damage in the form of peeling and inflammation. The child’s skin must not only be cleansed and nourished, but also an additional layer must be artificially created that will protect the dermis from diaper rash and microorganisms.

One of the frequently recommended skin care products for newborns is sterile oil. It is used to prevent the appearance of diaper rash, helps to effectively remove serum lubricant in the folds of the skin and perineum, and is used for massage and treatment of the scalp and child’s body after bathing. Vegetable oils have high biological activity, are natural antioxidants, and contain vitamins and fatty acids. The lighter the structure of the oil, the better for the baby’s skin, so pediatricians do not recommend frequently using synthetic oils (paraffin, petroleum jelly), and “heavy” vegetable oils are asked to be used sparingly.

From the author:

Oil for baby skin care should definitely be in a mother’s arsenal. It really helps to cope with crusts on the head and behind the ears, and helps with dry skin and slight redness. For my child, I took baby oil with calendula, sea buckthorn and cedar extract, which is intended for massage. Since there was little birth lubricant on the child’s body, I did not treat the folds with oil, but it was ideal for the crusts on the head and behind the ears. Now I understand that it was worth, firstly, limiting myself to a small bottle, and secondly, finding an oil without fragrances, since my daughter did experience slight redness after the next contact with the oil. I think that with my next child I will use more natural oil options.

In stores and pharmacies today there is a huge assortment of oils, most of which contain fragrance, additional components or flavors. Despite all the assurances from the manufacturers, such oils can still cause allergies in a newborn, so it is safer to prepare the oil for treating the baby yourself. How to do this will be described below.

How to prepare sterile oil at home ↑

Since the oil will be needed from the first days of the baby’s life, it should be prepared during pregnancy. So, to prepare oil for processing a newborn, you will need good extra virgin olive oil. You can also use unrefined sunflower oil, although it is considered coarse. In addition, containers are needed - small glass bottles or jars with a lid, which should be pre-sterilized. The selected oil must pass a quality test. To do this, pour it into a glass and leave for 30 minutes in a dark place. If during this time a sediment has formed in the oil, it can be used. If flakes occur, it is better to abstain.

Sterile oil is prepared in a water bath. The starting material is poured into a small open container, which is placed in a pan with slightly heated water. The water should be slightly higher than the level at which the oil is poured in the jar. After the water boils in the pan, you should wait about 5-7 minutes, constantly stirring the oil with a wooden stick to warm it up better. This time will be enough for the oil to become sterile. The product should be stored in a dark place.

How to use sterile oil for treating a newborn ↑

Sterile oil is used:

to cleanse the nasal passages;
for the treatment of ears;
for lubricating flaky baby skin;
to remove generic lubricant;
for treating diaper rash with mild redness.

The baby’s nose is cleaned with cotton wool soaked in oil, the ears are treated only from the outside using cotton wool with oil, and birth lubricant, flaking on the skin and milky crusts on the head are removed with oiled cotton pads.

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.