When it comes to babies, essential oils can be a tricky subject. While some essential oils can be beneficial for babies, it is important to understand the safety guidelines and precautions that should be taken when using them. It is not recommended to use essential oils on babies under 6 months of age, and for older infants and children, only certain oils should be used with caution and in a diluted form. Dr.
A recommends that for children over nine months old, only a handful of essential oils should be used with a dilution of 1.25%. Most essential oils are not safe for use in children under five years of age. Because essential oils don't usually contain accurate warning labels about babies, it's hard for parents to know which oils may have contraindications or carry the risk of side effects. This means you can slowly introduce essential oils once your baby is at least three months old, but always keep your diffuser out of reach of small hands. Here is a list of 12 essential oils that can be used for your baby after consulting your healthcare provider: Mandarin oil, Sandalwood EO, Tea Tree Oil, Rose Otto, Cedarwood EO, Palmarosa EO, Bergamot EO, Neroli EO, Geranium EO, Cinnamon (Bark and Leaf) EO, Lemongrass EO and Cumin EO.
Mandarin oil has a sweet fragrance that feels pleasantly soothing and has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can keep the skin healthy. Massaging your baby with mandarin oil at bedtime can help him sleep peacefully. Sandalwood EO is a common ingredient in several alternative medicines, perfumes, and cosmetics and has a calming effect that helps reduce anxiety and insomnia. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can keep baby's skin healthy. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties that can relieve abscesses, cold sores, burns, insect bites and dandruff.
Inhalation by diffusion can also alleviate respiratory problems such as coughing. Diluted tea tree oil is safe for babies over six months. Rose otto, also known as Damascus rose, is a refreshing essential oil that soothes the senses and has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can alleviate skin problems. Its steam can help alleviate and control certain allergies. The essential oil of cedarwood comes from the steam that distils the needles, leaves, bark, cedar berries, juniper and cypress.
Its deep, woody scent relaxes the body and mind and inhaling it could relieve insomnia and anxiety. You can diffuse cedarwood oil for babies since its topical use is generally not recommended. Palmarosa EO has a refreshing floral scent providing a relaxing sensation. It has astringent, antibacterial and antioxidant properties so its use is common for skin care. You can use palmarosa oil for babies older than six months but diffusion is a more suitable option than a topical application. Bergamot essential oil is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
In aromatherapy it is considered useful for reducing anxiety and stress. Topical use and diffusion of bergamot oil is generally safe for infants older than six months. Neroli essential oil has soothing and soothing effects that can relax the irritated baby. The diffusion of neroli oil relieves symptoms of anxiety, pain and inflammation. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties which can promote baby's skin health. The diffusion of geranium essential oil relaxes the mind and reduces anxiety.
It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which can help control eczema dermatitis and fungal infection. You can use geranium for your baby once he or she is over six months old. Some essential oils are rich in aldehydes and phenols which can cause skin reactions so it is important to avoid using cinnamon (bark and leaf), lemongrass cumin citronella bay leaf clove oregano thyme on infants. We recommend avoiding adding essential oils to what you put on your skin or add to its air as well as using olive oil as a carrier oil because it can damage the skin. The National Holistic Aromatherapy Association (NAHA) recommends a safe dilution ratio of 1% for infants older than 3 months when using essential oils topically or by diffusion of essential oils. It is okay to apply diluted oils to the baby's feet as long as the baby does not put his feet close to his mouth. First apply a small dime-sized amount of diluted essential oil to your child's skin to check for sensitivity before using it more widely.
Hydrolates are water-based solutions that include some of the chemical and therapeutic properties of essential oil without irritants so they are an option if you want to avoid using oil or cream to massage the baby. In infants older than 3 months some essential oils can be used to help sleep calm anxiety and even relieve symptoms of colic such as German chamomile or Roman chamomile which are mild essential oils with mood-enhancing qualities. It is important to follow safety tips when using essential oils in infants or young children such as avoiding adding essential oils to what you put on your skin or add to its air as well as using olive oil as a carrier oil because it can damage the skin.
