5 Ways to use Essential Oils for Babies and Mums

Wondering whether or not you can use essential oils when you are pregnant or with your baby and children, here is what you should know.

Is it safe to use essential oils on my baby?

The simple answer is yes but it is important to be aware of the special safety guidelines, particular oils to avoid and consider a slow introduction to using essential oils, to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

You need to only use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essentials oils when it comes to you and your baby's delicate skin. Babies skin is 5x thinner than adults. This is why I only recommend the use of DoTERRA oils, as they have undergone the upmost thorough testing and research to ensure each drop is of the highest quality. There are many oils on the market that may be diluted with carrier oils or other synthetic fragrances so don't take the risk.

Here are my top 5 uses of essential oils for parents and babies:

1. Cleaning

Cleaning products on the market are usually full of harmful toxins we want to avoid using around our homes where our baby and children will be touching and therefore absorbing through the biggest organ, the skin. Using essential oils to create your own DIY cleaning products is a great way to reduce the toxic load. Oils for cleaning:

Lemon essential oil - a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air and surfaces, shines stainless steel, removes dried-on food from microwaves and ovens, freshen up your bins and even deep clean appliances like your washing machine and refrigerator. Even works on removing unwanted crayon markings on the wall from your little creative ones.

OnGuard Blend - This powerful essential oil blend is non-toxic, multi-purpose cleaner, capable to clean hard surfaces in any room and on your children's toys; leaving behind a clean and invigorating scent.

Tea Tree essential oil - Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and best known for its purifying qualities. Tea tree can be used for cleansing the skin, home surfaces, as well as purifying the air.

2. Calming and Relaxing

I am sure all parents will agree they would benefit from something to calm and soothe their children and even more so to help aid relaxation for themselves. Essential oils can do this magnificently, proven on a scientific level for its calming effects and serotonin transportation. Read more about the science.

Diffuse oils around your home in the evening to wind down after a long day and encourage healthy sleep. Rub a drop into the bottoms of your feet. or massage into your head and temples. Add a couple of drops to your warm bath, on your pillow or on your babies favourite teddy. Oils to help you relax:

Lavender essential oil -  Soothing, supports a healthy nervous system and promotes healthy sleep.

Roman Chamomile - Calming effect on the skin, mind, and body.

Serenity Blend - Known as the sleep blend, with a combination of Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Ylang-ylang and much more.

Peppermint essential oil - Great for relieving headaches or upset tummies. Dilute and rub onto the neck, shoulders and head. Keep away from the eyes. Also a great pick me up, useful for hay fever and blocked sinuses.

Click to listen to a podcast on oils for energy.

3. Energising

As much as you need to relax, I am sure being a sleep-deprived parent or a busy bee, you need a bit more than a coffee to give you that uplifting boost during the day. There is literally an oil for everything. See A-Z booklet of common issues at the bottom of this article.

Drop Doterra's food-grade citrus oils in your water, diffuse or drop dab on your wrists as and when you need.

Oils for energising:

Grapefruit essential oil - Provides a huge uplifting in the environment. Invigorating and energising. Supports healthy metabolism.

Tangerine essential oil - Uplifting yet gently calming. Also provides antioxidants, supports healthy immunity, respiration, and digestion.

Elevation Blend - Combines citrus, lemon balm, sandalwood and much more for exactly what it says in the name.

4. Skin Care and Scarring

Whether you have c-section scarring from giving birth or other scars and wounds around your body or are interested in an anti-aging blend, Doterra has brought together the power of plants to support you. This includes your baby's nappy rash, cuts ad grazes. Check out my anti-aging body mist recipe. Oils for skin and scars:

Tea tree essential oil - Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and best known for its purifying qualities. Tea tree can be used for cleansing the skin, home surfaces, as well as purifying the air.

Lavender essential oil - Cleanses and soothes skin irritations. It is known to be antiseptic and reduce inflammation.

Helichrysum essential oil - Can be used to avoid signs of ageing. Known as “The Everlasting Flower” for its rejuvenating benefits for the skin and ability to improve the complexion.

Geranium essential oil - Used as a beautifying agent back in the Ancient Egyptian times. a great boost the appearance of skin and hair.

5. Emotional and Hormonal

With an increase of estrogen flooding your system as a mother as well as other hormones, there is no wonder you may be feeling extra sensitive and emotional. Reach for your dose of essential oils to support regulate your hormones and bring back that balance.

Bergamot essential oil - This citrus boost has the ability to lift and calm.

Balance Blend - Beautiful warm and woody blend of frankincense and flowers - blue tansy, chamomile and osmanthus. A blend to bring about harmony.

Frankincense essential oil - The king of all oils, powerful and grounding. Supports healthy cellular function. There's a reason it was said to be given as a gift from the wise men.

What are the Safety Guidelines?

Although natural, oils essential are extremely concentrated. To give you an idea, just 1 drop of peppermint is equal to about 30 cups of herbal tea. With that said make sure to use them with caution & follow these safety guidelines: 

Read labels

The label will inform you if the product for topical use or able to be ingested. The plant name should be given in Latin. 

Areas to avoid

Always avoid putting onto sensitive areas, including broken skin, eyes, inner ears, up nose.

Dilution 

Dilute with fractionated coconut oil, distilled water or other carrier oils to minimise sensitivities. Suggested 1 drop of essential to 5 drops of carrier oil for adults and more for children. Read more on the recommended dosage.

Sun Sensitivity

Some oils, particularly citrus, can cause skin irritation & colour pigments on the skin if exposed to sun or UV rays, so avoid for 12 hours after using these oils.

Hot Oils

Some oils have hot feel properties, like oregano & cinnamon. So be sure to add extra dilution before applying on your skin. Avoid using hot oils on children. 

Storage 

Keep oils out of the sun & excessive heat. They come in amber glass bottles to avoid any light adulterating the properties. Avoid using plastic containers as the plastic can break down & seep into your product. Keep out of the reach of children. Highly flammable, keep away from direct flames. 

Extra caution for Pregnancy, Babies & Children 

Some are NOT recommended for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or on babies. For example, rosemary, clary sage, or wintergreen oils can interfere with hormones See full list of oils to avoid here. You can use essential oils on children just make sure to use sparingly & heavily diluted. More information on child safety

Medication 

Check if any oils interfere with your medicine. Rosemary and wintergreen contain chemicals that can thin the blood so it can be dangerous to take as well as aspirin or other blood-thinning medications. Always consult your doctor before use if you are unsure or experience any adverse reactions.

Feel free to message if you have any further questions of concerns or to get your oils now. What oils are you going to try first?

Get your free downloadable e-book on essential oils and children here! Click here for an empowered life series on essential oils for babies and mamas.