Using essential oil for babies is entirely different from using them on adults. This is because some essential oils may be dangerous and cause respiratory problems or skin damage to kids.
Are essential oils safe for babies and how to use them?
You cannot use all essential oils for babies. You need to go through the guidelines of using oils for babies.
Never use essential oils on a newborn until the age of six months. Here are two reasons why you should avoid using essential oils on newborn before the age of six months.
The sense of smell may get negatively affected
Newborns can recognize the smell of their mother’s body and breast milk even when they are three days old because the aromatic oils can disturb his sense of smell. As a result of this, they may stop consuming milk completely.
Newborn skin
A newborn baby’s skin is delicate and has a special protective layer in the form of oils, which safeguard the skin of kids. Use of essential oil may cause injury and this is the reason medical trials on babies are not ethical. You will not find any research work done on babies.
Infant complications
This is a fact that you cannot use oils directly on newborns because of unwanted complications. However, there are certain techniques that you can apply to relieve constipation and soothe colic. Abdominal massage without baby essential oils is helpful for infants suffering from colic. You can massage with dry fingers and can see the results. For older children, you need to use essential oils after diluting them in coconut oil or any other carrier oil.
Constipation
Constipation and colic in kids respond positively after using essential oils. You can use them in massage.
Add to 3 drops of your chosen essential oil in warm water and soak a cloth, then lay this cloth on their tummies. Blends of essential oils are available.
Toddlers (2-6 years)
This age group is prone to bumps and bruises and you will get fantastic results after using essential oils. Essential oils have excellent medicinal properties to heal the skin and getting rid of the cough. In this age, kids are exposed to germs, in the school, or in day care; these germs will translate into diseases.
Things to remember
- Babies and children are not supposed to take essential oils internally. You need to avoid giving them essential oils for oral use until they reach six years of age. In either case, you need to consult an expert before using essential oil for kids.
- Make sure that you store essential oils out of the reach of children to avoid any miss happening. In case your baby accidentally ingests essential oil, then this is an emergency and you need to call Poison control. There are several cases where kids had consumed essential oils accidentally and now they are fine. It is difficult for a child to consume essential oil in large quantity.
- Never use essential oils directly around the baby’s nose. Always use diluted oils and use them as advised by your expert.