Essential Oils Safe for Babies
Are essential oils safe for babies?
In short, the answer is yes. When used properly, and in moderation, essential oils can be highly beneficial for babies and young children. To ensure your little one gets the most out of essential oils, we’ve outlined some best practices below.
Best practices for baby-safe essential oils
Always dilute essential oils to a rate of 1-3 drops per ounce of carrier oil or wash (1 oz = 2 tbsp).
Don’t allow your child to ingest essential oils.
Essential oils should be used sparingly on babies and young children. Everyday use is not recommended.
Avoid using essential oils around your baby’s eyes, head, and ears.
Use only pure essential oils from a trusted brand.
Store your baby’s essential oils properly to preserve their potency.
Consult with a medical professional before treating your baby with any holistic alternative.
Educate yourself on aromatherapy techniques for children. We highly recommend the book Aromatherapy for Babies & Children by Shirley Price
Which essential oils are safe for babies?
Whether your little one’s suffering from sleepless nights, indigestion, or is just generally feeling fussy, chances are there’s an essential oil that can provide both you and your baby with some relief. The following oils are recommended for use on babies over 6 months old. Never use synthetic fragrance oils such as those used in scented soaps or candles, but rather opt for 100% all-natural essential oils.
Bergamot - aroma is basically citrus, yet fruity and sweet with a warm spicy floral quality, and is reminiscent of Neroli and Lavender oil. Blends well with other citrus scents.
Cedarwood - scent is woodsy and warming, is a nice base note blended with bergamot, cypress, lavender
Chamomile, Roman - Chamomile smells fresh, sweet, fruity - almost like an apple! Blends well with bergamot, lavender, lemon, rose and tea tree.
Cypress - aroma that is almost like a fresh evergreen, with balsamic undertones. Blends well with Cedarwood, lavender, ylang ylang, and chamomile.
Frankincense - smells woodsy, spicy and balsamic with a hint of citrus. Frankincense is a nice base note blended with lavender, orange, neroli, rose and ylang ylang.
Geranium - A sweet and heavy floral scent. Blends well with lighter florals like lavender, ylang ylang or chamomile.
Grapefruit - This essential oil is tangy, like a freshly cut grapefruit. Can be phototoxic (can cause sunburns if applied topically before out in the sun). Mixes well with other citrus like bergamot, sweet orange, mandarin or lemon or light florals like lavender and ylang ylang.
Helichrysum - aroma of a sweet, earthy, green floral. This oil blends well with all citrus, lavender, rose, and tea tree.
Lavender - Sweet, herbal, floral aroma. Very calming, this oil blends well with bergamot, lemon, tea tree, and cypress.
Lemon - smells of a clean citrus, just like a freshly cut lemon. Blends well with other citrus, chamomile, ylang ylang and frankincense.
Mandarin - Light, fruity citrus, similar to Sweet Orange aroma with a little more depth to it. Smells amazing with chamomile, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, and ylang ylang.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree) - A vaporous, woodsy smell. Some people find this oil a bit pungent, so the smell is easily diluted when mixed with bergamot, lavender, ylang ylang, lemon, or cypress.
Rose - Deep and rich floral, a little rose goes a long way in each blend. Dilute scent with lavender, ylang ylang, mandarin, lemon, geranium, or helichrysum.
Sweet Orange - Sweet, sugary citrus like a freshly cut orange. Mix with other citrus, frankincense, geranium, and lavender.
Yarrow, Blue - Light herbal scent. Blends well with cedarwood, chamomile, cypress, grapefruit, lavender and ylang ylang.
Ylang Ylang - Rich, sweet floral. Aroma will blend well with bergamot, chamomile, lemon, mandarin, rose and orange.
While all of the essential oils are safe for babes over 6 months and have fantastic aromatherapy properties, some of these oils can cost quite a bit more than others. We've included a list of other essential oils that each of these scents will blend with so that you can pair the more expensive oils with some cost-friendly options. Pairing essential oils not only creates an amazing and unique aromatherapy experience, but it’s also easier on your bank account!
Baby Safe Essential Oil Blend
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
3 drops Geranium Essential Oil
3 drops Cypress Essential Oil
2 drops Rose Essential Oil
Mix these scents in with a baby-safe carrier oil, and use it for things like bath or bedtime. Use 1-2 drops of blend per tablespoon of carrier oil. A few of our favorite carrier oils for babies include: Sunflower Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil.