Olive Oil for Babies: Is It Safe?
The short answer: yes, a little good-quality olive oil is generally safe to feed most babies once they start solids, usually around six months — and many families across the Mediterranean have done exactly that for generations. Using it on baby’s skin is a separate question, and here the evidence is more mixed, so it deserves a more cautious touch. As with anything to do with your child’s health, treat this as friendly background reading rather than medical advice, and let your paediatrician or health visitor have the final word, especially if there’s a family history of allergies or eczema.
Olive oil in baby’s food
Once a baby moves onto solids, they need more than just milk to fuel all that rapid growth — and fat is a big part of that. Healthy fats support brain development and help little bodies absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the gentlest, most wholesome fats you can add: it’s mostly monounsaturated fat, it carries useful vitamin E and natural polyphenol antioxidants, and it has a soft, mild flavour that most babies take to happily.
A common Mediterranean habit is to stir a small drizzle into puréed vegetables, mashed potato, lentils or the first spoonfuls of porridge. It makes the food a touch smoother and more calorie-dense, which is genuinely helpful for a small tummy that fills up fast. There’s no need to go overboard — think a modest amount rather than a generous glug. If you want to understand the different grades and why extra virgin sits at the top, our guide to olive oil grades breaks it down plainly.
A few sensible pointers when cooking for a baby:
- Reach for extra virgin where you can — it’s the least processed and keeps the most of its antioxidants.
- Add it raw or at the end of gentle cooking to preserve flavour and nutrients; a light sauté is fine, but there’s no benefit to hard, smoking-hot frying for baby food.
- Introduce one new food at a time, as you would with anything, so you can spot how baby reacts.
- Keep salt and strong seasonings out — the oil itself is the flavour.
True allergy to olive oil is very rare. The proteins that trigger olive-related reactions are mostly in the pollen and the fruit, and refined and even extra virgin oils contain very little protein. That said, every baby is an individual, so watch as you would with any new food.
How much, and how it compares
Portions for babies are tiny, and exact amounts vary with age, appetite and what a health professional advises. The rough guide below is just that — a starting point, not a prescription.
| Stage | Rough amount of olive oil | Handy notes |
|---|---|---|
| Around 6 months (first tastes) | A few drops to about ¼ teaspoon per serving | Stir raw into smooth purées; start small |
| Roughly 7–9 months | Around ¼–½ teaspoon per serving | Good with mashed veg, lentils, soft grains |
| Roughly 10–12 months | About ½ teaspoon per serving | Can drizzle over finger foods and family meals |
These are gentle ballpark figures. If your baby was premature, has reflux, or is under any special feeding plan, your paediatric team’s guidance always trumps a general table like this one.
Olive oil on baby’s skin: the debated bit
This is where the picture gets less tidy. For a long time, olive oil was a go-to home remedy for dry patches, cradle cap and baby massage, and plenty of grandparents swear by it. More recently, though, dermatology researchers have raised a note of caution. Some studies looking at olive oil applied to infant skin found it could weaken the skin’s natural barrier in certain babies rather than strengthen it — particularly a concern for those prone to eczema or with already sensitive skin. The oleic acid content is often pointed to as the likely culprit.
The honest summary is that the evidence is genuinely mixed and still evolving. It’s not that olive oil is dangerous on the skin — many babies come to no harm at all — but the confident old advice to slather it on freely has softened. Several UK health bodies now suggest being cautious with olive and sunflower oils on newborn skin, and to check with a health visitor or GP before using them as a routine moisturiser, especially on a baby with dry or eczema-prone skin.
If you do want to use an oil topically, a sensible middle path is: talk to your health professional first, patch-test a very small area, and stop if you see any redness or irritation. For dry skin and cradle cap there are also fragrance-free baby-specific emollients designed and tested for the job, which many clinicians prefer to recommend.
| Use | General view | Sensible approach |
|---|---|---|
| In food (from ~6 months) | Widely considered safe and nourishing | Small amounts of extra virgin, one new food at a time |
| On the skin | Debated; may not suit eczema-prone skin | Ask your health visitor/GP first; patch-test; consider a tested baby emollient |
Olive oil for babies: common questions
When can my baby have olive oil?
Most babies can have a small amount stirred into food once they begin solids, typically around six months. Before six months, babies get all the fat they need from breast milk or formula, so there’s no need to add oil earlier.
Which olive oil is best for babies?
A good extra virgin olive oil is the usual choice — it’s the least processed and keeps more of its natural vitamin E and antioxidants. Store it in a cool, dark cupboard and use it while fresh, since olive oil doesn’t improve with age. Our explainer on extra virgin covers what to look for.
Can I put olive oil on my baby’s skin or for cradle cap?
Possibly, but it’s the debated part. Some research suggests olive oil may not suit babies with dry or eczema-prone skin, so it’s worth checking with your health visitor or GP first, patch-testing a small area, and stopping at any sign of irritation. A fragrance-free baby emollient is often a safer bet.
Can olive oil help with baby constipation?
You may hear this suggested, but you shouldn’t use olive oil as a laxative for a baby without medical advice. If your little one is constipated, speak to your GP or health visitor about safe options for their age.
This article is general information from olive lovers, not medical advice. Every baby is different, so please check with your paediatrician, GP or health visitor before making changes to your baby’s diet or skincare.