There is a wide selection of essential oils for babies that you can give. But before applying it to the baby, pay attention to the type and the rules for its use so that its safety is maintained.
As with the use of essential oils in pregnant women, giving essential oils to babies should not be done haphazardly. Because in addition to the baby's skin is still thin, the baby's immune system is also not fully developed. Babies are susceptible to health problems, such as poisoning, if essential oil is not given properly.
Choosing Safe Essential Oils for Babies
There are various choices of essential oils for babies that are believed to be safe and bring benefits. Here are some of them:
- ChamomileThis essential oil for babies is calming so that it can overcome the problem of sleeplessness in babies. In addition, essential oils chamomile It has also been shown to be able to calm a fussy baby. Oil mix chamomile with lavender oil is also able to relieve the symptoms of colic experienced by your baby.
- LavenderThis essential oil for babies can be applied to the skin of babies who are bitten by insects or mosquitoes, because it can relieve itching. In addition, by massaging the baby using lavender oil, the baby can sleep more soundly. Recent studies have revealed that lavender is effective in treating colic symptoms in babies.
- Eucalyptus radiataEucalyptus type radiata It is safe to be applied to the baby's body and is claimed to be able to relieve breathing, especially when the baby has a cold. This essential oil which is similar to eucalyptus oil is also effective in preventing babies from being bitten by mosquitoes.
- Tea tree oilTea tree oil believed to contain natural antimicrobial and antifungal. Mix a few drops tea tree oil in other natural oils can help treat diaper rash and yeast infections. However, because this oil is quite harsh, it is best to test it on a small part of the baby's skin first to see the reaction. It is recommended to avoid using tea tree oil in infants less than 6 months of age.
- Chinese or CItrus reticulataAlmost the same as lavender oil, mandarin oil has a calming effect so that it can overcome baby's difficulty sleeping at night. Compared to other citrus essential oils, mandarin oil has a sweeter aroma and is more friendly to the skin so it is not easy to cause skin irritation.
Rules for Using Essential Oils in Babies
Although the various essential oils for babies mentioned above are considered safe, there are things that must be considered when giving or applying essential oils to babies. Here are some of them:
- Check the packaging labelWhen buying essential oils, read the packaging label first. It is important to use essential oils according to the method, properties, and suitability for the baby's body. From the packaging label, you can also find out the ingredients for the oil. Avoid using essential oils mixed with alcohol and synthetic fragrances, as they can irritate baby's skin. Choose a truly pure.
- Pay attention to baby's ageActually there is no specific benchmark regarding the age of the baby that is safe to use essential oils. But to be on the safe side, avoid using essential oils on babies under 3 months old. Some essential oils are also not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. Do not hesitate to ask questions or consult a doctor before applying essential oils to babies.
- Dilute it first before dirubright to the skinEssential oils for babies must be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the baby's skin. If you don't have a carrier oil, you can use coconut oil or coconut oil almonds to dilute it. The dose of essential oil dilution depends on the age of the baby. For infants over 3 years of age, the safe and recommended dilution ratio is between 0.5-1%.
- Rublittle by littletIt is recommended that you apply a small amount of diluted essential oil to your baby's legs or arms before applying it to other parts of the body. If within 24 hours there is a reaction in the form of redness or inflammation, discontinue use. This could be an allergic reaction to the content in the oil.
Make sure essential oils for babies are safe to use. Avoid giving certain types of essential oils to babies. These include fennel oil, eucalyptus type globus,verbena, peppermint, rosemary, and wintergreen. This is because these types of oils have not been tested for safety for babies.
In addition, in certain medical conditions, the use of essential oils in infants is also not recommended. It's best for parents to ask the doctor before using essential oils on babies.