Essential Oils and Babies

I have been using essential oils for many years. And by using I mean…basically just lavender and peppermint essential oil.

The lavender helps my muscles relax and helps me sleep at night, and the peppermint helps my headaches or helps me to feel more awake. I know there are many benefits to them, but hadn’t really taken the time to look much into it.

There is so much controversy over the uses and benefits of essential oils, and especially when it comes to essential oils with babies, so once I became pregnant I was very cautious about using any at all.

This is why I asked for help on this post, so today my friend, Elise, is helping us learn about essential oils and babies by answering some of the questions I had about them! She has been using essential oils for about 6 years, but also grew up around them since her mom used them, so is very knowledgeable about them and is someone whose expertise I trust! She recently became a mama and has been using essential oils with her baby! Take a look and follow her on Instagram @giftessentialoils. She’ll be willing to help you answer any other questions you may have.

What are the benefits of using essential oils for pregnancy and postpartum?

One benefit I found was that these are natural tools. That means that they can be safely used during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum to support so many of our body’s systems and ailments that happen during this time when so many of the regular products out there cannot. Essential oils are safe to use during this time (and anytime) because they are basically just bottled plants.

A second benefit is the fact that essential oils make amazing natural cleaners. Household cleaners are some of the worst for toxins in our homes for us and for our little ones.

What is the best way to use essential oils?

Really this comes down to convenience and what oil you are using. What way works best for you will likely be the way that is most convenient for you since consistency is key.

However, there are generally 3 ways to use essential oils:

• topically (applied to the skin, with or without being diluted with a carrier oil)

• aromatically (this is when we use a diffuser)

• internally (using oils in food or as a dietary supplement)

Aromatically (diffusing) using essential oils. Photo cred: Elise.

What are your (2-3) favorite essential oils that you used during pregnancy and into postpartum?

Digize is a pre blended mix of oils that you can buy. It has oils like tarragon, ginger, peppermint, and lemongrass. It is amazing to support yourself through times of nausea and other stomach stuff like bloating, so it is especially helpful during the first trimester.

This isn't one oil but a roller blend that I made for postpartum which I use on my stretch marks and linea nigra (the dark line on your belly) to help them heal and fade. The recipe is for a 10ml roller bottle that can be bought on amazon.

Ingredients:

• 10 drops frankincense

• 14 drops helichrysum

• 10 drops myrrh

• 10 drops lavender

• Carrier oil of choice

Directions:

Add all oils to the roller bottle and then top up with carrier oil of choice.

Stress Away is another pre blended oil that you can buy and is one that I absolutely adore. I used it throughout pregnancy for stress (hence the name) and it works amazing as a natural perfume since it has oils like vanilla and lavender in it. I love using this oil in postpartum now since some days can be tough and it's nice to smell good with something that is natural, quick, and easy to use.

What essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy?

Most essential oils can be used during pregnancy so instead I created a list of oils that are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy.

This is not an exhaustive list:

Birch, Calamus, Camphor, Feverfew, Green yarrow, Ho wood, Hyssop, Mugwort, Parsley seed, Penny royal, Red cedar, Thuga, White cedar, Sage lavender, Sassafras, Wintergreen, Wormwood, and Clarysage (can be used close to due date to promote natural start of labor and during labor to help if contractions slow)

Can essential oils be used around newborns?

Short answer: yes

Long answer: I highly encourage each mama to do what she thinks is safe for her and her baby and do her own research regardless of what products are in question and this is especially true when it comes to using essential oils. I have done research and know tons of other mamas who feel safe using essential oils around their newborns and I do as well. With the correct usage and dilution ratios (and this varies depending on the oil), essential oils can be used safely right from birth. A good dilution ratio when in doubt is 1 part essential oil to 30 parts carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil.

Are there essential oils that can be used to support babies during teething?

Some oils that are good for teething are:

Clove, Frankincense, Tea tree, German chamomile, and Copaiba.

You can look up various recipes for making a roller blend using these oils for your little one, but you can also simply put a drop of these oils in your palm, add your carrier oil, and then rub along your little one’s jawline. Consistency is key so plan to reapply every several hours or as needed.

Elise, thank you for sharing your expertise with us about essential oils and babies! I learned a lot and love how you said they are “basically just bottled plants”. It’s something I hadn’t thought of before but definitely makes sense! I look forward to using essential oils more now that I have more knowledge!

If you’re looking for more resources check out: Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern and

Betsy Bosom’s Baby Book by Betsy Bosom.

Whatever products you decide to use with your little one, I know you are doing what is best for your baby and you are doing an amazing job, mama!

Do you use essential oils?

• Yes
• No