Essential Oils for Baby

Use of Aromatherapy in Baby Health Problems and Natural Skin Care

Sep 8, 2008

The use of aromatherapy for babies is a natural solution which has been in use, in one form or another, for centuries, enjoying a return to popularity in recent times.

Plant medicine is not a new concept; native people such as the American Indians have numerous natural health care solutions still in use today. Heat and diaper rashes have been treated with natural therapies; a cleansing wash of strawberry and raspberry leaves was used for baby. Plants such as sweet grass and sage were also used, in addition to honey made from wild bees.

Aromatherapy seeks to achieve balance and harmony of the mind, body and spirit by the controlled use of natural essential oils. Extracted from various parts of a plant, tree or flower, essential oils are formed from the aromas of the plant and do not use the plant itself, unlike herbal and plant medicine. There is a wide spectrum of essential oils to choose from.

Using Aromatherapy for Baby

Babies identify the world around them using smell. Studies have shown that smells 'inhaled' by baby, via the amniotic fluid pre-natal, are the smells preferred after birth too (Davis and Porter, 1991; Schall et al., 2000). Smell is one of the fastest ways in which essential oils access the body; baby massage is also popular too.

New mothers are re-discovering the benefits of massage with their babies; a strong connection between mother and child is formed as she massages the essential oils into her baby. It is also good for baby's skin and can help ensure a good night's sleep – for both mother and baby!

Aromatherapy can help with baby health problems such as colic, crying, cradle cap, teething, colds, earache, eczema and anxiety. Essential oils should be administered via a carrier such as a white lotion, preferable to oil, which is not easily absorbed by a baby's skin and may be too slippery. The quantity of essential oils used should be reduced also.

Essential Oils to Use for Baby

Different essential oils have different properties and can be often used for a variety of different reasons. These are some of the more popular gentle essential oils to use for baby:

Geranium (pelargonium graveolens),Lavender (lavandula angustifolia), Rose (rosa damascena), Roman Chamomile (chamaemelum nobile), Lemon (citrus limon), Grapefruit (citrus paradisi), Mandarin (citrus reticulate), Sweet Orange (citrus aurantium sinensis).

There are essential oils which should never be used for baby for one reason or another. These include: essential oils high in menthone such as Peppermint (mentha x piperita) and Cornmint (mentha arvensis), Hyssop (hyssop officinalis), Basil (ocimum basilicum), Juniper (juniperus communis). Seek advice from a suitably qualified aromatherapist to ensure safe and correct usage of essential oils with baby; used safely and correctly, aromatherapy is a valuable therapy for both mother and child.

References:

2005 International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy Paediatrics Care Volume 2: Issue 2: Australia

Kavasch, E. Barrie, Baar, Karen 1999 American Indian Healing Arts Bantam: New York

For Further Reading:

The copyright of the article Essential Oils for Baby in Aromatherapy is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish Essential Oils for Baby in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.