Some essential oils help encourage sleep, calm anxiety, and even relieve symptoms of colic in babies. A person can use them when the baby is at least 6 months old.
Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is the medicinal use of naturally extracted plant aromas to promote physical and emotional well-being.
People have been using essential oils reliably for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Before applying essential oils to babies, it’s important to understand proper dilution ratios and application methods.
Essential oils are not monitored or regulated by the FDA and should not be presented as a cure for diseases. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
Aromatic plant extracts have various uses, ranging from treating burns and soothing the skin to alleviating stress and promoting relaxation.
Since essential oils are widely available today, check product labels to ensure you’re using pure, authentic, and unadulterated essential oils.
Premixed essential oils with alcohol can be irritating. You should also avoid synthetic fragrances, which are completely different from essential oils, don’t carry health benefits, and can be irritating to the skin.
Each essential oil is different. While other essential oils may be safe for use on infants and babies, these essential oils are generally safe when used properly and in moderation.
Unless otherwise specified, follow the dilution ratios and applications explained below.
Never apply essential oils directly to the skin; always mix them with a carrier oil. Babies should never drink or ingest essential oils. It’s never safe for babies to take essential oils orally.
Highlights
- Avoid using essential oils on babies younger than 3 months old.
- Aromatherapy can encourage sleep, calm anxiety, and relieve symptoms of colic.
- Essential oils are very potent and you must dilute them with a carrier oil or cream.
German chamomile and Roman chamomile are gentle essential oils that can be beneficial for babies who have trouble sleeping.
Chamomile has a natural soothing effect and is traditionally used to treat insomnia in both babies and adults.
Chamomile, along with lavender, can relieve symptoms of colic. Chamomile has also been shown to help anxiety and depression, and can uplift a fussy baby’s spirits.
To use, dilute dill in a ratio of 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil, blend thoroughly, and massage the mixture onto a baby’s skin.
Lavender has many calming and sedative effects. A lavender oil massage can help to relax a fussy baby and encourage sleep.
Lavender can help soothe insect bites and reduce itchiness. A 2022 study shows that lavender is effective in alleviating the symptoms of colic.
Essential oils are extremely potent, and you must dilute them with a carrier oil or cream when used on the skin.
Dilution is especially important for infants and young children. For babies older than 3 months, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) recommends a safe dilution ratio of .5 to 1 percent, compared to a 2.5 to 10 percent dilution for adults.
Because babies have more sensitive skin than adults, speak with a doctor, midwife, or healthcare professional before using any essential oils.
Even when diluted, essential oils can cause skin irritation and sun sensitivity. It’s recommended to perform a patch test on the skin (also sometimes called a “spot test”) with each new oil introduced.
Perform a patch test
- Apply a small (no larger than a dime) amount of diluted essential oil to a baby’s leg or arm.
- Wait for 24 hours to see if there is a reaction.
- If a reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately (a reaction may cause discoloration, inflammation, or pain).
- If no reaction occurs, it’s likely safe to move forward with applying the essential oil.
According to the NAHA, “you should avoid some essential oils [on babies], e.g., birch or wintergreen, which are both rich in methyl salicylate and peppermint.”
You should never use essential oils internally in children or infants, and should keep them out of infants’ baths to avoid accidental ingestion
The following topical treatments are safe and effective when used according to proper dilution ratios.
Blend with a carrier
Vegetable oil, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil are commonly used as base oils that mix well with essential oils. They also bring their own moisturizing qualities and help to nourish the skin.
Peanut oil is commonly mixed into base oils, so be sure to check the ingredients list of your base oil for any potential allergens.
To blend, dilute an essential oil at a ratio of 0.5 percent essential oil to base oil. Shake or mix vigorously to blend. Once the oils are thoroughly blended, perform a patch test on your baby’s leg or arm to ensure the formula is nonirritating.
Spritz
Spritz the essential oil around your baby’s room to create a calming scent before naps or bedtime. Avoid spraying pillows to prevent your baby from accidentally ingesting the oils.
It may be difficult to spray an essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, as it will be too thick to dispense from a spray bottle. It is not necessary to dilute oils when using them for spritzing.
Diffuse
Essential oils are an effective, natural alternative to artificial room fresheners. While adults can use candle diffusers, water-based vaporizers make for a safer, flame-free way to spread a scent throughout any room of your house.
When trying out a new essential oil around your baby, test a small amount of each new oil in a vaporizer for an hour to ensure that no irritation occurs. No dilution is necessary.
Because you should not use some essential oils with certain medications and medical conditions, always check with your doctor before applying therapeutic oils to your baby.
If you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor before using any essential oils on yourself or your baby.
Lavender, chamomile, and dill oil are essential oils that are safe for babies.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) states that a safe dilution ratio is of .5 to 1 percent.
An edible vegetable oil or food-based oil ensures that that sensitive skin of your baby is kept safe. This can include almond oil or coconut oil.
Essential oils have various uses, including alleviating stress and helping aid relaxation. You can use essential oils diluted with a carrier oil to alleviate conditions in babies, such as colic.
Always speak with a doctor, midwife, or healthcare professional before using essential oils on yourself or your baby.