As we grow older, our bodies need treatment such as massage or any outer treatments just like applying essential oils to make us feel relaxed and fine. However, it is also applicable to children as well, even infants. Health trends come and go, but with essential oils never really go out of style, as it is reliable and the most sought-after kind of medicine for a thousand of years.
Essential oil therapy or aromatherapy can be defined as a natural medicine from extracted plant aromas. This therapy promotes physical and emotional well-being. This article will give you clearer understanding and awareness of essential oils, and you will know if it’s also beneficial for babies.
What is an essential oil?
A little really goes a long way when it comes to essential oils. When you love essential oils, you want also to share them with your family. Essential oils have fantastic healing properties. These are organic compounds extracted directly from plant, bark, fruit, flower, leaf, seed or root of plants. Aromatherapy is the word when essential oils were used for healing purposes. These extract are typically created through the process of the natural process of distillation, which makes the oil and the water-based compounds separated.
Essential oils are rich in concentrated oils that have a strong aroma. By the concentrating oils of these plants, the most powerful healing compounds of a plant are literally separated into a single oil. And with this therapeutic oil, plants are being protected from insects and shield the plant from an unpleasant environment. Same is true with humans when they apply essential oils to their bodies, they are actually harnessing the protective and healing powers of a plant.
Are essential oils safe for babies?
For babies who are older than 3 months, essential oils can be used to help your baby sleep. It also calms anxieties of your babies, and even relieves symptoms of pain. To make it safer for the baby, it is important to understand proper dilution ratios and methods for application.
There is some evidence for the benefits of essential oils, but only a little result on how these oils may affect babies. It is critical to apply these oils for babies younger than 3 months. Each essential oil is different. While other essential oils are generally safe, some would be harmful especially for babies younger than 3 months. So to make sure, it needs proper medication advice and uses it properly and in moderation.
Just be cautious in applying baby oils to the skin of the baby. Always mix them with a carrier oil. Make sure these oils are out of reach of babies because they might drink it. It’s never safe for babies to drink essential oils.
Benefits of essential oils
Essential oils have many benefits and use. Many people use them to scent their surroundings at home or freshen up things and a whole lot more. These are the common benefits if you apply essential oils to babies.
- It fights cold and flu symptoms
- Makes the body of the baby relaxed and eases the soreness of muscles
- It heals skin issues and conditions
- Ease pain
- It balances hormones
- Improves Digestion
- Reduces wrinkles
- It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
- It comforts headaches and migraine
Best essential oils for babies
Want to know which essential oil should be used for babies? Here are some of the options you can choose from, along with its benefits.
- Lavender
If you are not sure what to use, then Lavender is the best to go oil for you and your baby. It is actually good for the skin for balance, relaxation and gives you the best sleep. It’s incredibly calm, which is perfect for the little ones.
- Frankincense
This kind of oil is also the best for babies. It is soothing and has a mild aroma. You can pair it with Lavender for all the things.
- Copaiba
This kind of oil is good for the immune system.
- Cedarwood
This kind of oil is very soothing and good to pair with Lavender in the diffuser. With just 6 drops of Cedarwood, you can relax and sleep very well.
- Roman Chamomile
This kind of oil helps the baby to calm down who is a bit not-in-the-mood. It can also help the parents relax as well. You can also apply to the bottom of the baby’s feet or for a baby massage.
- Myrtle
This oil is a great alternative for eucalyptus. This can be strong for infants but it’s bearable.
- Gentle Baby
This oil actually helps in calming the baby and helping with any troubles in the stomach. Massage it into the baby’s belly or diffuse it in the room.
- Sunflower Oil
This oil is best for babies who have sensitive skin and develop eczema. Sunflower oil also improves skin hydration of babies.
How to use
There are various ways to use the essential oils, depending on your babies preference, and these are:
- In a baby massage
If your baby prefers to have a mild massage, just warm a small amount of diluted oil by rubbing it in your hands. Then gently rub it into the skin of your baby. Just do mild pressure to rub as your baby’s skin is a little bit sensitive.
- In Bathwater
With just a few drops of essential oil in the water at bath time, it can help soothe and calm the baby. By doing this during bath time, it may help the baby fall asleep easily and faster.
- In a Diffuser at bedtime
With a diffuser, it easily releases the aroma of the essential oils into the air. Most especially if you are in a closed room, then the diffuser turns on, you just can’t feel exhausted at all.
Final words
A lot of studies look at how effective aromatherapy is for babies. These essential oils play a vital role to us users, most especially to babies. It did such a great impact on everyone. It helps people in so many ways.
It is actually safe when you apply these to babies as long as a person takes certain precautions because some oils can be toxic or irate to the baby’s skin. It is always important to research the oil first. And of course, a doctor’s prescription also is one of the most very important things to follow.
Read also:
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- keeping track of your baby’s weight at the fifth month
