If you love aromatherapy and are about to welcome your baby you may wonder if there baby safe essential oils.
A baby brings immeasurable joy and an innate desire to provide them with the best care. As a loving parent, you want to do what’s best for your baby, and using essential oils may be one way to do that.
You see, aromatherapy or the use of essential oil therapy is the medicinal use of plant scents, fragrances, and aromas, to promote physical and emotional well-being.
People have been using essential oils for centuries for treating various ailments, including burns, skin conditions, elevating stress, relaxation, and pain. But are their baby-safe essential oils?
In this article, we’ll explore baby safe essential oils, and shed light on their benefits, safety precautions, and using methods that ensure your little one’s health and happiness.
Keep reading…
What are Baby Safe Essential Oils?
Baby safe essential oils are oils that are safe for use on babies and infants.
These oils have studies behind them that ensure their gentle nature and lack of harmful or irritating components. Baby safe essential oils can provide a range of benefits, including promoting relaxation, soothing discomfort, and creating a calming environment.
What’s more, some can help babies over 3 months to relieve symptoms of a common nuisance… colic. They can also promote sleep and reduce anxiety.
While using essential oils is a good thing, ensure you dilute them before topical application, baths, and aromatherapy. So you should understand dilution and proper application methods.
Now, what steps can you take to ensure the oil you’re using is safe? First, check if the label indicates pure. Also, look for age appropriateness, allergenicity, and adherence to safety guidelines.
By using baby safe essential oils, parents can enhance their little one’s well-being in a safe and nurturing way.
Avoid Essential oils mixed with alcohol as they can irritate the baby. Also, stay away from synthetic fragrances, that add no health benefits as they can be irritating to the skin too.
While each oil is different below are some safe oils you can use in moderation on your infant and baby.
Unless otherwise directed, always follow the dilution ratios and application methods. Remember to never apply essential oils on the skin of your baby or yourself without a carrier oil or give it orally to your child.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential is considered safe for babies due to its gentle and soothing properties. This versatile oil has calming effects on the mind and body, making it a popular choice for babies’ well-being.
A massage with lavender oil can relax a fussy baby, create a peaceful environment, promote relaxation, and support better sleep for little ones.
Its mild nature and low risk of causing irritation are great for a baby’s sensitive skin. Whether you diffuse it in a room, add it to a bath, or apply it during gentle massages – lavender oil is what you need to provide a comforting and nurturing experience for your baby.
But that’s not all, studies show the oil can alleviate colic symptoms. Interesting right?
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is safe for babies. It’s gentle and it’s known for its calming and soothing properties.
This gentle can also help adults with insomnia sleep better. So, if you’re a new mother you and your baby can sleep better when you use this oil.
A combination of lavender and chamomile( whether German Chamomile or Roman chamomile) is even better because these two oils not only reduce anxiety, but also alleviate inflammation, reduce irritability, and promote relaxation in little ones – they relieve colic too.
If you dilute and apply the oil topically you can provide relief from minor skin irritations. Plus, you can add it to a warm bath for a soothing experience.
The mild nature of chamomile oil is suitable for use on sensitive baby skin. Its gentle aroma also contributes to creating a tranquil environment, aiding in promoting a sense of calm and well-being for both babies and parents.
As with any essential oil, it is important to follow proper dilution guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional before using chamomile oil on infants.
Mandarin Essential Oil
Do you love the sweet, scent and aroma of mandarins? I do…
Also, known as citrus reticula mandarin essential oil is a great alternative to lavender oil. This gentle and citrusy oil has uplifting and soothing properties. And it can help calm and cheer your baby.
It gets better, when you diffuse, it promotes a sense of well-being for you and your baby. What’s more, it’s not phototoxic meaning it doesn’t cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Mandarin oil is gentle on the skin, therefore it’s great for topical application during massages or baths for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
So, if your baby is fussy or irritated, you can use it before bedtime to help them relax. With its sweet aroma and calming effects, the oil can contribute to a harmonious environment, and help with nurturing the overall well-being of your babies.
Distilled lemon
Distilled lemon oil, is derived from Citrus limon and is a safe essential oil for babies. But which is safer? Distilled lemon or expressed lemon? Distilled lemon is much safer and it possesses a fresh, uplifting scent responsible for a positive and invigorating atmosphere.
If you use expressed lemon, dilute it and use it in moderation because it has photosensitive properties which may cause irritation to your child’s skin.
Also, dilute lemon oil properly before using it on a baby’s skin or in their environment. When diluted and used in moderation, lemon oil can offer mild antibacterial properties and may be used in homemade cleaning solutions or diffused to freshen the air.
As with any essential oil, you should dilute or consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified aromatherapist to ensure safe and appropriate use.
Tea tree oil
Why tea tree oil you may ask? Well, because it has antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties.
With that being said, it can help with skin rash in both adults and children. You see, babies often have issues with diaper rash and fungal infections on their skin.
And while tea tree oil is strong when in a highly diluted form, you can apply it topically to help address common skin issues that your baby may experience, such as diaper rash or minor skin irritations.
Please note that you should always dilute tea tree oil with carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil, before applying it to a baby’s skin. And avoid using it if your child is under 6 months.
And do a patch test on older infants before use to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
Careful and responsible usage of tea to tree oil provides a natural and gentle solution for specific skin concerns in babies.
However, consult with a healthcare professional or pediatrician before using tea tree oil on an infant or baby. Sound good?
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
There are different species of eucalyptus essential oil. So, which one is safe for children and babies? Eucalyptus radiata is safe.
While the other species Eucalyptus globulus has respiratory benefits for adults it contains a compound cineole which can be harmful to children.
Babies have a delicate and sensitive respiratory system and are more prone to adverse reactions. The strong aroma of eucalyptus oil can be overwhelming and may cause respiratory distress or irritation in infants.
Therefore before using eucalyptus on your child make sure it’s Eucalyptus radiata or seek advice from a pediatrician.
Remember to prioritize the safety and well-being of your baby. And if you’re unsure of using this essential oil, use the other alternative, baby-safe essential oils.
Dilution recommendations
When using essential oils for babies, make sure to dilute them because they are potent. Use a carrier oil or add it to your moisturizer.
You see, undiluted essential oils can cause irritation on your baby’s skin. So what is a safe dilution? According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), a safe dilution is a ratio of 0.5 to 1% vs a 2.5 to 10% dilution for adults.
This dilution ratio ensures essential oil are well diluted and gentle enough for your baby’s skin. And because their skin is more sensitive than an adult, use only baby safe essential oils and not under infants below 3 months old.
While using diluted essential oils is safe, do a “spot test” to see how the skin reacts. Dilution recommendations may also vary depending on the specific essential oil and the age of the baby.
So before using essential oils on your baby consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified aromatherapist for guidance.
Perform a patch test
Applying a small amount of your diluted oil to your baby’s skin, helps you see if an adverse reaction will occur.
After the patch test, wait for 24hrs to see if inflammation or redness occurs. Also, see if the baby feels pain at the touch of the area.
If there’s no reaction, then use the oil sparingly. Avoid oils like peppermint oil. birch and wintergreen.
Suggested applications
Photo by Shiny Diamond
Below are several ways you can use essential oil on children and infants. Never ever give these oils for ingestion to a child. And remember, dilution, even for baby safe essential oils.
Blend with a carrier oil
Use carrier oils like…
- Olive Oil
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- And sweet almond oil
- Castor oil
These oils act as a base and mix well with essential oils. Coconut oil and vegetable oil are especially great because they possess moisturizing properties and nourish the skin.
To use these oils blend and use a ratio of .5% essential oil to base oil. Mix vigorously to blend and use the oil to perform a patch test on your baby’s arm or leg. The blend shouldn’t irritate the skin.
Spritz
Or splash some of the oil you dilute around your baby’s room so as to create a calming scent just before sleep or napping time. When doing this avoid contact with your baby’s beddings to avoid accidental ingestion.
Dilute more and start slow
You have to dilute essential oils before using them on your skin. Now for your baby, you should dilute the oil even more.
On top of that, start slow. These oils can offer Oils amazing benefits for you and your baby, but you want to make sure the oil you’re using does not irritate your little one.
If you understand and respect the different safety guidelines when using essential oils with your little ones, they can reap all the wonderful health-promoting benefits!
Diffuse
Diffusing essential oils in an essential oil diffuser helps refresh your room and spreads the calming scents of essential oils. While adults love and use candle diffusers, water-based vaporizers are much safer around babies because first, they flame-free. And they provide you with more chances to try different oils.
Always consult your healthcare provider
Photo by doTERRA International, LLC
Because essential oils are strong, they may inhibit the use of other medications. Plus, the oil you want to use may be unsafe for your child. Talk to your doctor before using essential oils on your baby. Agree?
Risks of Using Essential Oils Around Your Little Ones
Babies are extremely sensitive and need your protection against potential harm, so be mindful when using essential oils around them.
Newborns in particular can suffer adverse health effects if they inhale essential oils for extended periods of time. To avoid these risks, never apply any essential oils directly onto a baby, as the high concentration can cause reactions.
Also, when diffusing or applying oils near a baby avoid exposing them to too much-vaporized oil, as this may lead to toxicity and other problems.
Here are some things to watch out for.
Wheezing and Sinus Issues:
While your baby may struggle with a stuffy nose or sneeze due to allergens, diffusing essential oils may make the situation worse.
And while these oils can help your baby with respiratory issues they may also cause wheezing, sinus issues, and other allergic reactions. You may dilute and diffuse but away from your child.
If you notice any allergic issues when diffusing these oils, stop immediately to ease their comfort.
Before using essential oils on babies consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils to address wheezing or sinus issues in babies.
Skin Irritation and Inflammation
Baby’s delicate skin can sometimes experience irritation or inflammation. Baby safe essential oils can offer gentle support in such cases.
Lavender oil, for example, has soothing properties that can help calm and alleviate minor skin irritations. Additionally, chamomile oil, with its anti-inflammatory properties, may help reduce redness and promote skin healing.
However, it is essential to dilute these essential oils properly before applying them to your baby’s skin.
Patch testing on a small area of skin and consult with a healthcare professional to ensure safe and appropriate use.
Oil-Specific Risks
Each essential oil carries its own risks and considerations, even when labeled as baby safe. For example, tea tree oil, while generally safe for adults, is not safe for babies due to its potency and potential for skin irritation.
Similarly, you should avoid oils such as peppermint and wintergreen as they can be too strong for infants and may cause respiratory issues.
Also, research and understand the specific risks associated with each essential oil before using it on your baby.
And remember to follow proper dilution guidelines, seek professional advice, and ensure the chosen oils are appropriate for the age and specific needs of your baby.
Conclusion
In conclusion, baby safe essential oils can be a wonderful addition to a baby’s well-being. Use them responsibly and do your research so you are equipped with the right knowledge.
These carefully selected and diluted oils offer a range of benefits, from promoting relaxation and soothing discomfort to creating a calming environment.
However, remember to prioritize the safety of your baby by following dilution guidelines, using age-appropriate oils, and considering essential oil safety
Also, consult with healthcare professionals or qualified aromatherapy experts before using essential oils on your baby, especially if there are underlying medical conditions or concerns.
By using baby safe essential oils, you can provide a nurturing and soothing environment for your little one without adverse effects. Do you use essential oils around your baby?