Are Essential Oils Safe for Babies and Children? (2 SAFE recipes)
As we all know, children, especially those under the age of five, are significantly smaller than adults.
Their systems can be remarkably sensitive and reactive.
This fact alone might have us taking a pause and re-evaluating our choices when it comes to the products we use in our households and for personal care.
I love discussing this topic!
We certainly don't want to expose our children to harsh chemicals that could potentially strain their delicate immune systems.
For those of us who are parents or caregivers for children, the prospect of learning how to use essential oils can be empowering.
Aromatherapy offers us a gentle, natural avenue to care for babies and young children, allowing us to support their health and development—without the need for harsh chemicals!
However, it is crucial to remember that essential oils are highly concentrated substances.
If we intend to use essential oils for babies and young children, it becomes vitally important to understand how to use them in a safe and responsible manner.
Having been an essential oil educator for numerous years, I have had the privilege of working with thousands of parents, guiding them on how to use essential oils and natural products for their children.
In this blog post, I wish to share some key considerations for ensuring your use of essential oils remains safe for babies and young children.
I am also delighted to share two recipes you can start using right away! One for babies and another for children under five years old.
Both recipes are sourced from my book, The Heart of Aromatherapy.
I am so passionate about keeping essential oils safe for babies and children that every single one of the more than 100 recipes in my book comes with a child-friendly version!
Our first recipe is charmingly named "Lavender's 'Happiest Baby Ever' Skin-Soothing Spray."
When it comes to infants and very young children, my personal preference is actually NOT to use essential oils.
As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are incredibly concentrated. They can become overpowering for a baby or a young child, even in minute quantities.
Instead of essential oils, I prefer to use pure carrier oils, butters, and hydrosols.
Hydrosols are produced during the same distillation process that yields essential oils.
The plant material is placed into the still, and at the end of the distillation, we not only have a beautiful essential oil, but the water that was in the still also becomes infused with the plant's therapeutic benefits. This is the hydrosol, which offers many benefits and is far less concentrated than the essential oil. Hydrosols are even gentle enough for the tiniest of babies!
And that's what's in "Lavender's 'Happiest Baby Ever' Skin-Soothing Spray"—pure hydrosols!
You could measure the ingredients . . . but honestly, I usually just estimate it! You can even adjust the amounts of each ingredient based on the aroma that you prefer.
Our second recipe is intended for children over 5 years old.
It's a soap-free face wash that's perfect for delicate, sensitive skin! It doesn't contain any alcohol or soaps that could cause irritation, yet it's excellent at cleansing the skin, leaving it fresh, clean, and moisturized.
he optimal amount of essential oil for this recipe is 2 drops. That's because it's designed for children, and it's intended to be applied to their faces (where the skin can sometimes be extra sensitive).
This blend is designed to be used just like a face wash.
The child can dampen their face, then shake this blend up and massage it into their skin. Then, it can be rinsed off with a soft, damp cloth!
It leaves behind a soft, moisturizing layer of argan oil that continues to nourish sensitive skin.
Both recipes are designed with your child's safety and comfort in mind. Like the first recipe, I suggest making a fresh bottle of this face wash every few weeks, as we're not using any preservatives here. Let's ensure our blends remain as fresh as possible to ensure safety for our babies and children!
Lavender's 'Happiest Baby Ever' Skin-Soothing Spray
Just the right touch for calming baby's sensitive skin!
Ingredients
1 fl oz (30 ml) German Chamomile Hydrosol (Matricaria recutita)
1 fl oz (30 ml) Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia)
Equipment
One 2 oz (60 ml) glass spray bottle
Directions
Fill your 2 oz bottle halfway with German Chamomile hydrosol (Matricaria recutita), and the rest of the way with Lavender hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia).
Give it a gentle shake to mix it all together, and voila, your soothing spray is ready for action!
Neroli and Frankincense's 'Pretty Peaceful' Soap-Free Face Wash
Just the perfect blend for tender, sensitive skin!
Ingredients
1 fl oz (30 ml) Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)
1 oz (28 g) Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis)
1 drop Frankincense Oil (Boswellia carterii)
1 drop Neroli Oil (Citrus aurantium amara)
Equipment
One 2 oz (60 ml) PET plastic bottle with a flip-top
Directions
Pour the Argan oil (Argania spinosa) and Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis) into the bottle.
Carefully add the drops of Frankincense Oil (Boswellia carterii) and Neroli Oil (Citrus aurantium amara).
Secure the cap and shake gently to blend.
To make this journey even more exciting, don't forget to check out our YouTube video tutorial for these recipes!
In conclusion, it's important to remember that while essential oils and natural products offer a wonderful, chemical-free alternative for caring for our children, they must be used with the utmost respect and caution. The concentrated nature of these oils means we must be vigilant in our usage and always aim for the safest, gentlest approach, especially with our youngest ones.
As we equip ourselves with knowledge and adopt a safety-first mindset, we empower ourselves to make the best choices for our children's well-being. So, go ahead and enjoy the process of learning and experimenting with these natural remedies.
May they bring joy and health to you and your little ones. Remember, every small step we take in nurturing our children naturally contributes to a healthier future for them and our planet. Keep learning, keep growing, and enjoy the wonderful journey of parenthood!
