Aromatherapy Tips: How to Make Them Work For Babies

March 3rd, 2008 safbaby2 Posted in Natural Remedies |

It feels good as a mother, to make some of my own natural-care for my baby, to use what has been given to us in nature to infuse well-being and health into our lives more fully. And if it is simple and effective, such as all this information here, then I am happy to incorporate it for my family.

Deborah Harlan is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist and owner of Aroma Thyme and Scent of the Month Club. Deborah lives in Cleveland, Ohio and has been practicing since 1995. She loves to share her expert knowledge with others and we are happy to have her!

Introduce Aromatherapy to Babies and Toddlers

To introduce aromatherapy to babies place 2 drops of essential oil (try Lavender) on a tissue and keep it nearby when you are feeding him or her. He will come to associate the aroma with love and comfort. Use this scent at night to help him sleep. When you leave the child with a sitter the aroma will comfort and reassure him. Use 1 drop Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children

Children love it when their bath water smells good. Lavender and Roman Chamomile are good choices for small children. It is best to add the essential oils to some milk or liquid soap before adding to the tub. Use 1-3 total drops per bath. Be sure to keep all bottles of essential oils away from children.

When planning a children’s party choose the Citrus oils like Orange and Mandarin to use in the diffuser or Aroma Lamp. They are happy yet calming scents that all children love.

Citrus oils can be used as natural cleaning agents around the house. Simply add a few drops of Orange, Lemon, Bergamot or Mandarin oil to water, moisten a clean cloth with the mixture and wipe down children’s rooms and school bags.

Scent children’s drawers containing nighttime clothing with Lavender and Chamomile essential oils applied to cotton balls. Works for Moms too! Sweet Dreams!

Essential Oils Dosage

Children respond very well to LOW Dosages of essential oils especially for anger and irritability. Use 1/3 the adult dose.When using essential oils with children, please remember their skin is very delicate. When adding oils to a bath be sure to blend the correct # of drops with about 16 oz of water, shake well, then add this mixture to the bath water. Use only those oils safe for children. A few are Lavender, Geranium and Rose. Use 1/2 the usual amount.Children’s Dosages Use half the usual dosage when diffusing essential oils in a child’s room.

Carrier Oils

1 oz. carrier oil : 5 drops of oil for babies and pregnant mommies
1 oz. carrier oil : 10-12 drops of oil for adults

Good carrier oils to use

olive
almond
jojoba

Aromatherapy for Crying and Irritable Baby

Put 1 drop Lavender on your shoulder and rock the baby to sleep while the baby’s head rest on your shoulder. For more detailed information on using essential oils with babies and Children we offer the book Aromatherapy for Mother and Baby By Allison England, R.N.

Roman Chamomile is soothing for tantrums and will also promote a good nights sleep. Put 1 drop on the pillow at bedtime. Used in the bath they can be blended with liquid soap to help them disperse. Use a lower dosage, 50% or 1/2 the recommended amount if pregnant or breastfeeding, with children or the elderly. The number of drops of essential oils used should vary in direct proportion to body weight, taking into account the age of the person as well as mental and physical health. The very old should use the same number of drops as children and babies half the amount of children.

Sweet Orange - The Oil of Happiness Warm and sunny, excellent for depression,stress, tension, frustration and anxiety.Orange helps to lift the spirits and promote joy. A great scent for children.Why not use in a diffuser or aroma lamp today.

Another way to use essential oils is a hand or foot massage. Children love a hand massage and who doesn’t like their feet rubbed. Lavender would be a good choice. Remember everyone likes to be pampered.Use 3-5 drops of essential oils per Tablespoon of base oil. Use 1/2 the adult dose for children.Choose Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel or any other unscented carrier oil.

Great tip I’ve successfully used when my baby is fussy/irritable:
Massage their feet with tangerine oil! I really liked this one too! Just follow above ratios for making your massage oil.

Tummy Soothe Oil: (for gassy belly)
1 oz. almond oil with 2-3 drops each of these essential oils:

peppermint,
chamomile, and
ginger.

This is used by rubbing into baby’s belly in a clockwise motion. The clockwise direction is the same as the flow of elimination, so it will help to gently move out gas and bubbles. Use this same ratio for pregnant mommy. For adults: increase essential oil drops up to 10 drops each.

Aromatherapy for Odor Removal

If you have children……..you probably have stinky sneakers!!!

Here’s a great blend for sneaker sachets:
Two teaspoons essential oil of Sandalwood one teaspoon essential oil of Tea tree one half teaspoon each essential oils of Lemon and Grapefruit one fourth teaspoon each essential oils of Spruce and Lavender(if you have girls, put a bit more lavender oil in) 4 cups natural clay kitty litter.Stir the oils into the kitty litter in a glass jar, cover and let the mixture age for a week. Put those mismatched or threadbare socks to good use….fill four of them with the sachet blend and close them with rubber bands.

Tangerine oil has a scent similar to Mandarin but contains NO anthranilic acid ester and therefore has no sedative effects. Anthranilic acid esters are highly sedative. Mandarin is wonderful to use with children suffering from anxiety, nervousness or stress. Make this oil your first choice with children. Great for adults as well.

Aromatherapy for Colds

At the first sign of a stuffy nose place 1 drop of Eucalyptus on the corner of your pillow. This can sometimes even stop a cold from coming on. For young children use Eucalyptus Smithi, a much safer oil.

For colds and coughs:
Using essential oils with babies and children. Under the bed place a bowl of boiling water to which you have added 3 drops of Eucalyptus Oil. Use Eucalyptus Smithi which is safer for children. The steam will rise releasing the molecules into the room. According to the book do not use Eucalyptus on babies younger than 2 months. From The Complete Book of Essential Oil and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.

Eucalyptus Smithi is the only Eucalyptus essential oil that should be used on children. Eucalyptus Globulus which is the most common is usually rectified and is not suitable for children.

When using essential oils in the bath for children be sure to dilute in a carrier oil like Sweet Almond Oil or whole milk.Use 1/2 the usual adult dosage. (6-8 drops is an adult dose) Lavender and Chamomile are ideal.

If you have children living away from home be sure they have a bottle of Tea Tree oil.
My son was recently in New York on business and acquired numerous spider bites. His calf was swollen, hot, and very painful. He picked up a bottle of Tea Tree at a nearby store and he happily reported the next day that it really worked! Dried it up, swelling down, no pain or itching.

A Soothing Tip for Babies and Children
Place 4 drops Lavender and 4 drops Chamomile on a tissue and place between the sheets 1/2 hour before bedtime. Remove tissue before child gets in bed. Use this tip yourself and tuck inside your pillowcase. Sweet Dreams!

Aromatherapy Germ Killer

Essential Oil of Lemon

Keep Lemon on hand to kill germs. Keep a spray bottle handy for quick cleanups in children’s playroom. Add to dish washing liquid or any mild hand soap.Use in a spray for disinfecting the air. You’ll find plenty of other uses I’m sure. It has high antibacterial properties. It’s antiseptic properties will last for 20 days.

We are hoping you find some of these tips helpful for your baby. What a great way to provide safe and effective ways to comfort, soothe, and connect to your baby!