Essential oils for Newborns and Babies

Babies and mamas are my passion, add essential oil to that list and now I’m living my dream! I discovered essential oils in the ’80s and over the years I’ve used them personally, with my family and with my clients. I love to empower women and I can do that best with essential oils. Please know that all essential oils are not created equal! You want to use the most pure and safe, therapeutic-grade essential oils possible.

You may see mixed information out there in different books about oils and their safety in pregnancy and with your newborn. Please understand these books were written with all oil users in mind. They will be ultra-conservative because their readers may not necessarily use the most trusted sourced oils. I will add a BIG caution in here; PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not purchase your oils from Amazon or from your local department store. You simply cannot be sure of the quality of these essential oils. The information I give comes from personal experience in my midwifery practice.

During pregnancy, there is heightened sensitivity, and we are very protective about what we put in our body, so we might use a little less of the oils but they can be used very effectively. dōTERRA has set a standard that reassures us we can use their oils with confidence during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Everything a woman consumes can get into her breastmilk – at least to some degree. We know that even the foods we consume can affect the flavor of breastmilk. Moms to gassy or colicky babies may be asked to adjust their diet so their baby can better metabolize the breastmilk. The amounts may vary, but it is presumed that less than 1% of essential oils get into breastmilk.

Peppermint is a caution only for lactating moms, but only a minor caution – it “may” decrease milk supply for some. Other than that, oils are very well-founded for pregnancy.

In the end, I always say to follow your own intuition. You are the one who was given stewardship over your body, and everyBODY is different, so do what you feel comfortable with.

You will want to dilute for little ones to avoid irritation or sensitization.
What age can you first start using essential oils on your baby? The truth is…if you have been using essential oils throughout your pregnancy then the baby is already used to them. They are part of you and your personal smell. The baby’s I welcome to earth get Balanced, Frankincense, and Myrrh within the first few hours of birth. Balance is a fantastic oil to apply to the baby’s feet to align and ground your baby to life outside of the womb. It helps to balance babe to his new surroundings. Frankincense Touch is perfect to roll in your palm and gently cover the head of your new sweet babe. This is not only emotionally calming for your baby but it also supports every single cell in your baby’s body and assists with bonding. A scant drop of Myrrh on the baby’s umbilical cord after birth may help the cord fall off quicker and protect the area so no threat can enter.

So what are the most gentle oils for your newborn or infant?

These are oils I often recommend even on the most sensitive skin of your newborn.

• Roman Chamomile
• Copaiba
• Balance Blend
• Serenity Blend
• Tamer Touch
• Stronger Touch
• Calmer Touch
• Tea Tree
• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Lemon
• Wild Orange

There are certainly many other oils that can be used safely when diluted. These are the oils I’ve found to be most gentle. I don’t recommend the hot single oils for your little ones but usually in a blend diluted is ok on the bottoms of their feet. dōTERRA’s Touch kit oils are my favorite to recommend for young families. They are the same oils from the Family Essentials kit but they are in 9ml roller bottles. They all have different dilution ratios that are meant to preserve the aromatic benefits and therapeutic use. Dilution ratios are based on the science of each oil. They are perfectly diluted and safe for the whole family from children to the elderly.

The dōTERRA Kids Kit is my favorite to recommend for mamas using them with your babies. They are blends that have very mild and gentle oils in them diluted a little bit more for younger babies and those super sensitive to oils. Like the Touch kit, they are in 9ml roller bottles. They all have different dilution ratios that are meant to preserve the aromatic benefits and therapeutic use. Dilution ratios are based on the science of each oil and the safety for babies and very sensitive skin. Use common sense when using essential oils and always follow your gut.

BABY BLENDS

Here’s the thing, everyone likes a roller bottle because they are convenient! the goal is to use your oils and if it’s easy you will…so my intention is to make it easy!

When you have a fussy baby or toddler you don’t want to take time to gather all the oils and open one by one to apply. Fast and easy is the name of the game! These blends are already perfectly diluted and ready to apply to their sensitive skin. Your blends are pre-made because we know it has to be easy at 3 am.

These are my top Baby Blends. Each of these blends are made in a 10mL roller bottle using 20-30 drops then fill to top with fractionated coconut oil. This is approximately a 10% dilution ration. Each recipe can be easily cut in half if you feel it is too strong. Where 5 drops are recommended use 3.

Baby’s Sleepy Time Blend:

• 8 Serenity
• 8 Cedarwood
• 5 Balance
• 5 Vetiver
• 5 Copaiba

Fill to top with FCO. Apply on the feet nightly, you can also apply down the spine for the really rough nights. Diffuse Serenity for an extra boost

Sleep Diffuser Blends: Here are some of my favorite sleep diffuser combos

For the anxious sleeper:

• 4 Roman Chamomile
• 4 Marjoram

For the restless sleeper:

• 4 Wild Orange
• 4 Cedarwood

For the one who wakes up a lot:

• 4 Clary Sage
• 3 Sandalwood

For the light sleeper:

• 4 Lavender
• 3 Bergamot

Happy Ears Blend:

• 5 Lavender
• 5 Basil
• 5 Copaiba
• 5 Tea Tree

Fill to top with FCO. Roll all around ear and massage downeustachian tube. You may want to put a drop on a tiny ball of cotton and place in the ear. Never drop oils directly in the ear.

Teething Blend:

• 5 Roman Chamomile
• 5 Lavender
• 5 Siberian Fir
• 5 Copaiba

Fill to top with FCO. I would roll this blend right along the jawline, behind her ears and on her neck. You can also rub a little on your finger and rub directly on the baby’s gums.

Tummy Tamer

• 5 Geranium
• 5 Dill
• 3 Wild Orange

Fill to top with FCO. Apply on bottom of feet at every feeding. For breastfeeding mamas…cut out all dairy. Kids Tamer or DigestZen touch are also options.

Another natural solution for colic, constipation, and other gas-related problems is the Windi, it works instantly and moms swear by it.

Immunity Booster:

• 10 On Guard
• 10 Frankincense
• 5 Copaiba

Fill to top with FCO. Apply on the bottom of feet morning and night, the OnGuard blend is amazing for keeping their little immune systems high.

Respiratory Blend:

• 10 Breathe
• 10 Frankincense
• 5 Lime
• 5 Copaiba

Fill to top with FCO. Apply on the bottom of the feet and along spine when needed to help with clear breathing. These oils soothe the airway and helps those little lungs.

COUGH Buster Roller for Babies

• 5 Breathe
• 5 Siberian Fir
• 4 Frankincense

Combine the above oils in a 10ml roller bottle and top off with FCO. Apply to chest and back as needed to quiet cough. Good for all ages!

Cradle Cap for Newborns

• 1 Lavender
• 1 Tea Tree
• 1 Geranium

1/4 cup of FCO and apply topically to the scalp with a gentle massage. Do not use so much that it will run into their eyes.

Let the oils absorb into the skin before washing their head. Usually 3 to 4 applications will clear the cradle cap. This amount should last you 3-4 applications.

Miracle Baby Poop Blend

• 4 Coriander
• 4 Wild Orange
• 4 Lemon
• 4 DigestZen

Put in a 10mL roller bottle and fill to top with FCOApply clockwise around belly.

After Vaccine Support: To support with pain at injection site

• 5 Lavender
• 5 Copaiba

10mL roller bottle and fill to top with FCO. Apply to vaccine site as needed for pain.

To support body with neurotoxins:

• 10 Lemon

10mL roller bottle and fill to top with FCO. Apply along spine 2X a day for 3 days after vaccine.

To support body with heavy metals:

• 10 Cilantro

10mL roller bottle and fill to top with FCO. Apply to feet 3X a day for 5 days after vaccine.

To support clear airways

• 10 Breathe

10mL roller bottle and fill to top with FCO. Apply to feet and back 2X a day for 2 days after vaccine.

All-natural toxic-free Baby Wipes

• 1 roll premium paper towels
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons FCO
• 3 drops Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• An airtight storage container

Tip: I use a #9 (10 cup) Rubbermaid container, it fits paper towels perfectly and seals up nicely. I drill a 1/4” hole in the middle of the lid and the towels come up through the top and automatically tear off at the perforation.

Directions: Cut paper towel roll in half with a serrated or electric knife. Use half the roll now, and save the other half for later. Combine water, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and essential oils in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the paper towels and then cover with the airtight lid letting the mixture absorb for 10 minutes. Turn the container over and let sit for another 10 minutes. Remove and discard the cardboard middle. Just pull the wipes from the center when you are ready to use them. Store in container of your choice. For on-the-go wipes, insert 15-20 wipes into zip lock baggie.

I have prepared a shopping list including all of the essential oils mentioned in this blog post.