Essential oils have been around for a long time now, but in recent years they have grown in popular as people have discovered them as a viable alternative health option. But first, what is an essential oil? Well, it’s an oil that is obtained from a plant or herb through distillation or expression. And this results in lots of different oils to choose from… lavender, rose, jasmine, peppermint, lemon; the list goes on. And just like there are some many different essential oils, there are also many different ways to use them. They can be diffused, applied topically, added to personal care and cleaning products to provide fragrance, ingested internally, etc.
So can you use essential oils on babies? The answer is yes! But please keep in mind essential oils are incredibly, incredibly potent. It is not a benign substance like olive oil. Hence why essential oils are meant to be used in DROPS. (I put this in capital letters since I once had an adult family member dump a whole bunch of essential oil on her hands and apply it to her body. Yikes! Let’s just say the results were not pretty.)
Even though essential oils can be used on babies, this is not true for ALL essential oils. There are some that you will want to avoid until your child is much, much older. To help you remember, here is this incredibly useful chart:
But please know, that this is by no means an exhaustive list. It is just for quick reference. And it would be best to spend some time with good ‘ol Google before applying any essential oil to make sure its okay.
Now that all of that is out of the way, also know that since essential oils are so potent (and so extremely effective), that’s why you’d want to consider using them on your little one! To help get you started, here are nine phenomenal essential oil recipes for babies:
Diaper Spray
The first three DIY recipes here are for baby care products, like this diaper spray. It takes the place of diaper cream by reducing redness and irritation. Yay for no longer having fingers with a goopy white paste all over them! Right, mamas? You can also check out another diaper spray on the blog here.
From Oil Powered Mom.
Sleepytime Massage Oil
This recipe includes two ingredients: sweet almond oil as a carrier and essential oils. Easy peasy for something so effective. A massage oil that isn’t nearly as good would cost you $9.99 at Target. Right?
From Growing Up Herbal.
All-Natural Diaper Cream
This recipe is essential oils suspended in a coconut oil base. Please note that this is regular coconut oil and not fractionated coconut oil. You want something thick enough to work as a salve. There is also the option to add melted beeswax pellets to it, which would result in a much more creamy consistency. Either way, this is a really effective diaper cream if you are looking for the traditional kind.
From Fresh Mommy Blog.
Here we are to the rollerballs, but before I list them, make sure that you take a look here for more information on the proper dilution of essential oils for babies and also on the various types of carrier oils.
Tummy Troubles
Gas bellies in babies can be quite painful, that’s why it’s great to have this rollerball recipe on hand. Just a couple of swipes on your little one’s tummy will soothe them and make them feel better. You might want to also try colic massage. Even if your child does not have colic specifically, it works wonders to alleviate tummy pain.
From An Oil A Day.
Tiny Teeth
I had a friend once tell me that the pain a baby goes through cutting teeth would make an adult go insane. I haven’t been able to verify that anywhere, but I think we can all agree that cutting teeth hurts, and anything we can do to help relieve the pain is good! You might also want to check out my post on the best and cheapest teether here.
From Dr. Markham ND.
Little Ears Support
Ear aches are no fun either. That’s why it’s so great to have this simple solution with Basil and Melaleuca (Tea Tree) oils. Just be sure not to put essential oils directly inside the ear… your baby’s or anyone else’s.
From Oil Powered Mom.
Little Lungs
Use this rollerball recipe anytime your baby is congested to help open up the nasal passages. But, if you apply it, and then go outside though, be sure to use sunscreen since lemon oil creates photosensitivity, meaning that the skin burns more easily.
From Oil Powered Mom.
Cool Down
If your baby is feeling hot, you might want to use this rollerball recipe to help them feel more comfortable. You can also make it and rub it directly on their feet and spine and not use as rollerball applicator. Just know that peppermint is included in the above chart as one of the essential oils to avoid as some babies act adversely to it. My daughter is one of them. That is why it is always important when working with essential oils to use the proper dilution and test out a teeny, tiny amount before slathering something on.
From Oil Powered Mom.
Sleepy Baby
When my daughter was first born, she could sleep anywhere. Literally! In fact, we took her to Best Buy on Black Friday, and she slept the entire time (Hey, we needed a new tv!). But just a month or two later, she had a hard time falling asleep anytime we were away from the house. It was like she was afraid to miss the party, and everything seemed like a party. If that sounds like your precious little one, then you need this rollerball recipe to help lull her to sleep.
From Rollerball Make & Take.
A Word About Curated Posts
The above is a curated post. Some people call them round-ups, but I like the phrase “curated post” a lot better because I have spent hours putting each of these lists together. I have been a Pinterest junkie for years, and I am always looking for the newest or best or most interesting DIY project out there. Finding these items, testing them, and then using them on a daily basis is so much fun AND, I have discovered, helps save me money.
So if you enjoyed this post, here are some others that you might like:
All-Natural Beauty DIYs
7 Unbelievable All-Natural Body Sprays That Will Make You Smell Like Spring
5 All-Natural Face Scrubs You Gotta Make
7 Ridiculously Awesome Facial Cleansers That You Must Make Now
15 DIY, All-Natural Toners You Must Make
All Natural Personal Care DIYs
Nine All-Natural Hair Products that Will Rock Your World
8 Baby Products You Should Quit Buying & Start Making
5 Unbelievable, DIY Body Washes You’ll Wish You’d Been Making All Along
Healthy Living DIYs
5 DIY Cold Remedies Everyone Needs
7 All-Natural Bathroom Cleaners
10 Uses for Activated Charcoal
7 Room Sprays So Your Home Smells Like Spring
7 Charts You Must Have to Become an Essential Oil Expert
8 Must-Have Essential Oil Blends Every New Mom Needs
There you go! Nine phenomenal essential oil recipes that no parent should be without. And now I want to hear from you! Do you have an essential oil recipe that you use and want to share?
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Couldn’t have found a better site today! I already bookmarked you ahahaha – I plan on making everything skin related for my little girl once she’s born in August. This article will serve us both beyond well. So happy I crossed your path!
Angie, congratulations! I am super excited that you will be having a little one soon! Babies are the best. You might want to check out my blog post, 8 Baby Products You Need to Quit Buying & Start Making. It has recipes for DIY bubble bath, diaper cream, baby oil, etc. Best wishes!