Contents:
- Medical Video: Essential Oils for Postpartum and Newborns
- Can babies use essential oils?
- Pay attention to this before putting on essential oils for the baby
- How do you use essential oils for babies?
- 1. As a massage oil
- 2. As a mixture when taking a bath
- 3. As a fragrance during sleep
Medical Video: Essential Oils for Postpartum and Newborns
Essential oils, or better known as essential oils, have been trusted for years to save good benefits for health. On this basis, many parents are interested in providing essential oils for babies because there are various benefits in them. Is it safe or not?
Can babies use essential oils?
The use of essential oils in adults has no doubt the benefits, but this is not necessarily the case when used by babies. Yes, not all babies are allowed to use this aromatic oil. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians essential oils are not recommended for babies under the age of three months.
That means, you may only provide essential oils for babies after their age exceeds three months. Likewise for babies born prematurely, use this natural oil at least after the age of three months.
Just like its use in adults, babies who are given essential oils will also get various benefits both. Starting from evicting anxiety, giving a calming effect, making it easier for babies to sleep well, and so on.
One study in 2016 from the journal Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine proved that the aroma produced from lavender oil can relieve pain while regulating the baby's heartbeat.
While other studies from the International Journal of Nursing Practice, states that lavender oil can also relieve colic symptoms in infants.
Pay attention to this before putting on essential oils for the baby
Before giving essential oils to babies, it's a good idea to know in advance how to use the right rules.
You can't immediately put on all kinds of essential oils for babies. Especially pure essential oils, because this can actually harm baby's skin which is still very sensitive.
Instead, you should mix the essential oils together with the recommended solvent oil. For example, grapseed oil (grape seed), coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and others.
After mixing too, essential oils are still at risk of causing skin irritation in infants. So, you are advised to do a patch test before actually applying it to your baby's body.
The method is to use only a few essential oils that have been mixed with the carrier oil on the baby's feet or hands, then wait until about 24 hours to see the reaction caused
If an allergic or sensitive reaction appears, such as reddened skin, pain when touched, to experience inflammation that makes your child fussy, you should not continue using it. But if on the contrary, baby's skin looks suitable and has no problem with essential oils, you can continue to use it.
How do you use essential oils for babies?
Not only must be applied directly to the baby's soft, soft skin, there are various other practical ways to use essential oils for babies:
1. As a massage oil
Actually there are no specific rules for baby massage, but there are at least a few steps that are generally the same. First, start by pouring a few drops of essential oil and carrier oil into the palm of your hand as needed.
Next, rub both palms until the oil mixture is evenly distributed and feels warm. Gently rub the oil directly on the baby's skin, starting from the feet, hands to the body.
No need to rub too strong, the important thing is that the child is comfortable with the massage you give.
2. As a mixture when taking a bath
This method can be used by mixing a few drops of mixed oil from essential oils and the carrier into the baby bathtub. In addition to giving a different sensation when taking a bath, babies usually become calmer so that it is easy to sleep afterwards.
3. As a fragrance during sleep
The benefits of essential oils can be obtained only by inhaling the aroma. You do this by entering oil that has been mixed into a special container, whether it's a spray or diffuser that is able to release the aroma of aromatic oil into the air.
Mix and spray oil or put a diffuser in your child's bedroom. This trick will help relieve a baby's breathing while making his sleep more restful.
