How to use essential oils safely with babies and young children

Essential oils (EO) have so many beautiful uses around the home, and for supporting our bodies.

And that includes for our precious children too.

I’ve seen so many positive results using them with my son, Asher.

Incredibly, he made it to nearly 2 years of age before he had any symptoms of those childhood bugs or sniffles that kids often pick up endlessly. And I honestly think it was using the essential oils that helped support his body.

But because babies and small children have little bodies, and essential oils can be strong, there are some specific things to remember in order to use them safely.

Here’s a run-down…

Oils to use with babies and small children

Some oils are safe to use with babies and children under 2, and some are NOT. You can check out the lists below to see the recommendations…

First off, it’s best to choose gentle oils like:

• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Tea tree

Here’s a list of other essential oils okay to use on and around small children:

• Bergamot
• Black Pepper
• Blue Tansy
• Cedarwood
• Clary Sage
• Copaiba
• Coriander
• Cypress
• Frankincense
• German Chamomile
• Geranium
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Juniper Berry
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Mandarin
• Neroli
• Palmarosa
• Patchouli
• Petitgrain
• Pines
• Roman Chamomile
• Sandalwood
• Siberian Fir 
• Spearmint
• Spruces
• Sweet Marjoram
• Sweet Orange
• Tangerine
• Tea Tree
• Vetiver

These essential oils are NOT safe to use with babies and small children:

• EasyAir blend (babies under 2)
• OnGuard blend (babies under 2)
• Anise/Aniseed
• Anise (Star)
• Basil (Lemon)
• Birch (Sweet)
• Black Seed
• Cardamom
• Cassia
• Clove Bud/Leaf/Stem
• Cornmint
• Eucalyptus
• Fennel (Bitter/Sweet)
• Garlic
• Ho Leaf/Ravintsara
• Hyssop
• Lemongrass
• Marjoram (Spanish)
• Melissa/Lemon Balm
• Myrtle
• Niaouli
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Sage (Greek/White/Mild/Mountain)
• Savory
• Tea Tree (Lemon-Scented)
• Wintergreen
• Ylang Ylang

Topical use

To use topically, dilute EO more than you would for yourself to make a weaker/more dilute blend.

Here are the suggested dilutions:

• For babies: use 1 drop essential oil (EO) to 10ml carrier oil
• For toddlers: use 1 drop EO to 5ml carrier oil

It’s a good idea to test the diluted EO on a small area to make sure your little one doesn’t have any reactions either to the EO or to the carrier oil.

Diffusing around babies and small children

Again choose one of the gentle oils and use less than you would use for yourself. Always remember to make sure the room is well ventilated.

Baby Immune Blend

I love this gentle blend which is suitable for babies, and I used it regularly to support Asher as a baby:

• 1 drop of Cedarwood
• 1 drop of Cypress
• 1 drop of Lemon
• Dilute with fractionated coconut oil (the carrier oil) according to age and the dilution ratios detailed above

You can put the blend in roller bottles, and simply roll on the soles of the little one’s feet or along their spine.

 

I would love to hear which are your favourite essential oils to use with your little ones and how they have helped to support your family… Let me know in the comments below x

 

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