Essential Oils and Hydrosols: A Guide for Newborns and Young Children
- mohogane
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 4
If you're thinking about using essential oils to help with your newborn's or young children's conditions but aren't sure how to proceed, this blog could be very beneficial for you.
Understanding Essential Oils and Their Safety
Many parents may believe that essential oils are inherently safe for young children and infants due to their plant-based and natural origins. However, while essential oils are gentle by nature, they are also highly concentrated. This concentration means they are contraindicated (not recommended) for infants and young children under the age of five.
To ensure safety, an indirect approach works best for babies and very young children when using essential oils. On the other hand, hydrosols (aromatic waters with healing benefits) offer a more soothing and gentle approach. They can be used directly with babies and children.
The Indirect Approach to Using Essential Oils
When using a diffuser, it's advisable to run it with the recommended 1-3 drops of essential oils in your baby's room. Before bringing your baby into the room, turn off the diffuser. This indirect approach is considered very safe, allowing your baby to benefit from the essential oil's therapeutic profile without direct exposure.
Additionally, you can apply essential oils to your own skin, allowing your baby to benefit from the aroma without direct contact. Alternatively, replacing the water in your diffuser with a hydrosol (without essential oils) is the best direct approach for babies and young children. Hydrosols are safe for inhalation and topical use for this age group.
Benefits of Hydrosols for Young Children
Hydrosols provide a delicate approach to addressing breathing and skin concerns, especially for young children. They can be combined with aloe, butters, and carrier oils (such as jojoba and sweet almond) for added benefits. These four carriers are among the best suggested for use with babies and children aged five and under.
Among the various hydrosols, three stand out as excellent options: Eucalyptus, German Chamomile, and Lavender.
German Chamomile is popular for soothing skin. Its sweet, fresh, and herbaceous scent is great for irritated skin, such as diaper rash.
Eucalyptus is known for opening the breath and is effective against respiratory infections. It is much gentler on a baby's system compared to other options.
Lavender has a floral, fresh aroma that is calming and restorative. It promotes relaxation and sleep for young children and babies.
The Importance of Dilution
As essential oils are highly concentrated substances, a baby's system is delicate and does not require much to have an effect. Therefore, less is more to avoid overwhelming a child's system. Hydrosols, nurtured by nature, have the potential to support your child's natural healing process without the burden of harsh chemicals and toxins.
Recommended Essential Oils for Young Children
Essential oils indicated (recommended) for babies and young children under age five include:
Lavender
Cedarwood
Roman Chamomile
Sweet Orange
Thyme ct. Linalool
For respiratory infections and congestion, Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils are widely known to be effective for adults. However, they are not suitable for very young kids and babies. These two essential oils are contraindicated (not recommended) for infants and children under five years of age due to safety concerns. Eucalyptus contains 1,8 cineol, while Peppermint has menthol, both of which can pose risks when used around the mouth and nose of young children.
Safe Alternatives to Eucalyptus and Peppermint
White Fir and Black Spruce essential oils are wonderful substitutes for Eucalyptus and Peppermint for babies and young children. These alternatives provide similar benefits without the associated risks.
Embracing Gentle Therapeutics
Embracing the gentle therapeutics of hydrosols and the safe use of essential oils can be invaluable for your child's health year-round. By prioritizing safety and efficacy, you can support your child's well-being naturally.
If you're looking for a dependable source to purchase quality and GC/MS tested essential oils and hydrosols, click the link below:
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