Essential Oils & Newborns

6:00 AM Posted by jo

It is a good idea to purchase and make the special blends before the baby is born so that you are prepared. Valerie Ann Worwood only recommends Roman and German Chamomile, lavender, yarrow and dill for the first two months unless other oils are suggested for specific conditions.

Remember to use good judgement and don't hesitate to seek medical help when you think it is needed. This information is not meant to prescribe or diagnose, it is only for information and education purposes only.

She also says it is important not to apply any essential oils on the baby the first 24 hours, and after that it should be a good reason for it. According to Worwood, the most effective way in using essential oils is to allow the molecules to evaporate in the baby's room. This can be done in a couple of ways:

Put a bowl of steaming water on the floor in a spot away from the baby's head. Add no more than 1 drop of essential to a pint of water.

Add 1 drop of essential oil to two teaspoon water and mix well. Add some of this water to the cupped area of the diffuser bowl.

Ideas:

For digestive problems like constipation, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, and regurgitation Worwood recommends to diffuse dill essential oils in one of the methods above.

If the baby is not sleeping well Worwood recommends to use Roman Chamomile in the baby's room.

For purifying the air in baby's room Worwood recommeds lavender for its antibiotic, disinfectant, antiseptic and slightly antiviral properties.

Worwood also recommends this for the baby's first clean:

Baby's first clean
An ideal oil for the baby's skin would be:
Almond oil 2 tbls
Evening Primrose 5 drops (or Borage oil)
Jojoba oil 3 drops
Wheatgerm oil 10 drops
A non aromatic blend.

Wrinkled skin
As mentioned, it should be a good reason to apply essential oils on a newborn after the first 24 hours. A good reason would be wrinkled skin.

Some baby's have dry and wrinkled skin and is common in overdue or induced babies.

Worwood used a two tablespoon blend of 80% of hazelnut oil, 10% wheatgerm oil and 10% virgin olive oil for her own daughter's red flaky skin on her ankles and wrists. She made the following essential oil blend:

German Chamomile 8 drops
Lavender 1 drop

And she added 3 drops to her 2 table spoon skin oil above. The German chamomile as a blue color due to its azulane content.
The rest of the drops can be used one drop at a time in the baby's bath. Mix it with a carrier oil first.

Diaper rash
Diaper rash is a very common problem that is very painful for the baby. You can make two different combinations according to Worwood:

German Chamomile and Lavender

Yarrow and Lavender

Mix equal parts of the oils.

Add one drop of any of the combinations to a bowl with 1 pint of warm water already added. Swish around to mix. Use cotton wool dipped in the solution to wash the baby's bottom.

A solution of apple cider vinegar( 1to 4 ratio) and water can also be used to wash the diaper area. It neutralizes the urine and ammonia and balance the pH as well. It also discourages yeast which is a common cause of the rash.

Cradle cap
Olive oil is often recommended but Worwood thinks that almond oil is better since it is not as heavy.

Cradle cap remedy
Eucalypus lemon 1 drop
Geranium 1 drop

Dilute in 2 tbls almond oil and mix well. Massage the scalp carefully with the fingertips avoiding the fontanelle. Don't use lavender since it makes the skin grow too quickly.

Thanks for visiting!

Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
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