Amy Childs slammed by mums for putting coconut oil on her baby Polly’s hair
AMY Childs has been criticised by her Instagram followers for using coconut oil on her baby daughter Polly's hair.
Some of the 27-year-old's fans claim the product will dry out the five-month-old's hair, while others have expressed concern at using it in the bath as it could make things dangerously slippery.
In a video uploaded to the social media site, Amy said she'd been using the oil on Polly since she was around three-weeks-old.
She wrote: "I've been doing this since Polly was born! 👼🏼 coconut oil has been making Polly's hair grow and it smells so good too 🙌🏼 also works on cradle cap. What would you like to see on my next baby vlog, let me know below 💓"
However, not everyone was as enthusiastic, with comments including: "No! Please stop putting coconut oil on her hair @amychilds1990 It will ruin it & make it go dry! Please Google this 🙈
"Sea salt works better as oils increase the bacteria growth and end up making cradle cap worse in the long run.
"I wouldn't put coconut oil in the bath because it makes everything super slippery and you won't be able to pick your baby up 😄 child's farm products are meant to be good for sensitive skin- in boots x."
Others questioned if Polly's hair would grow just as much naturally, posting: "Surely her hair will be growing anyway?
🤔
"how u know it's not just her hair growing naturally 🙄, I may try this with my 2nd princess wen she's born and see if it works x"
But there were also plenty of others who spoke up in support of Amy's advice.
"We have been using for our body's for years brilliant stuff," wrote one.
While another said: "I've done this with my little boy and he has a full head of wild hair at nearly 6 months old! Managed to dodge cradle cap too! X"
Last month Amy's loyal supporters stuck up for their idol after she was slammed for starting to give Polly solid foods such as rice - despite her being just four-months-old.
Trolls were quick to air their negative views after the Amy announced on Instagram she was going to start weaning the tot while at the same time admitting "she is so small to be having baby rice".
In the post, Amy claims a lot of new mums told her not to wait six months to wean her tot, but the NHS advises six months as the minimum age for weaning.
This is because a baby's digestive system is not developed enough to cope with solid foods.
Yet today, the tide of opinion turned in the beautician's favour, with one fan urging: "Ignore the mum police! You know what's best for your child....."
Another added: "You do what's best for your child... ignore the trolls... only you know your child and what she's ready for and wants no-one else .. xxx" as a third put: "The thing is you know your own baby if she's ready she's ready all my 3 kids were weaned at 4 months &they're all just fine keep going Amy X"
One urged: "Remember the saying mummy knows best".
A Towie fan then followed up with: "Do what you feel is right! Your baby, your decision 😁Don't let anyone tell you any different!x"
Last week, alongside a snap of her Aptamil products, Amy wrote: "Ok girls so here goes !!! Can't believe Polly is now 4 months 😫where does the time go...
"Right so I'm going to put Polly on baby rice, she seems to be getting so hungry. I was feeding her every 4 hours and now she is waking up in between wanting more food!"
most read in TV & SHOWBIZ
She continued: "I don't no why but I still think she is so small to be having baby rice but I'm going to give it a try as there now say to put them on rice at 4 months (a lot of new mums told me not to wait until there 6 months).
"Polly is a very hungry baby 👶🏻 , was any other mums nervous weening ?? I sure am 🙋🏼 will let you no how I get on 🙊."
Immediately, worried mums began commenting on Amy's pic, with one blasting: "The amount of f***ing stupid on this post.
"As an influential person, [you] should not be promoting early weaning, end of. Guidelines are there for a reason.
"Mumma doesn't know best over health professionals. Absolutely irresponsible."
Another agreed, writing: "So irresponsible to even consider giving your child baby rice at her age, it basically has no nutritional value whatsoever.
"Rice also contains naturally occurring arsenic!"
A third chimed in with: "Mum knows best 😂😂😂 f***ing hell, you all got X-ray vision into your child's gut? Mum doesn't know best, science and research knows best."
IS BREAST BEST? TV doc Christian Jessen sparked a Twitter debate after claiming breastfeeding is ‘NOT always best’ – here is all you need to know
Other commenters pointed out that breast milk provides all the nutrients a child needs until six months, though some did support Amy's right to choose what she does as a mum.
The official NHS advice on weaning reads: "You should start giving your baby solid foods, often called weaning, when they are around six months old.
"Health experts agree that this is the best age. Before this, your baby's digestive system is not developed enough to cope with solid foods.
"If you're breastfeeding, feeding only breast milk up to around six months will give your baby extra protection against infection. Breastfeeding beyond six months alongside solid foods will continue to protect your baby for as long as you carry on."
Amy - who has already lost her baby weight, allegedly through a product she's been promoting online - is yet to respond to the backlash.
In July she returned from a post-birth holiday with Polly after splitting from her father Bradley Wright soon after her birth.
Then this month Amy headed to Ibiza with her tot, getting a babysitter to care for her while she partied.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.