15 Most Safest Essential Oils for Babies and How To Use Them

Overview

Essential oils are great for the whole family, even babies, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious. We’ve listed some safe essential oils for babies and how to use them.

Aromatherapy For Babies

Essential oils are packed with health benefits for the mind and body, so it’s no wonder that you’d want to share them with the newest additions to your family. However, it’s always good to be cautious when introducing a new product to a newborn as they can be extremely sensitive.

Our recommendations are: consult your pediatrician or health care provider before jumping in, only use essential oils on babies who are above three months old, properly dilute the essential oils before topical application, and perform a patch test on your babies’ arms or legs.

In this article, we’ve carefully picked the safest essential oils for babies, how to use them and essential oils you should keep far away from your little bundle of joy.

What essential oils are safe for babies?

Let’s get into it! Here are 15 essential oils safe for babies.

1. Organic German Chamomile Essential Oil

Use Organic German Chamomile Oil for baby or babies with sensitive skin, as it can soothe irritation and has a sweet, herbaceous scent that calms a crying toddler.

2. Lemon Essential Oil

If you’re thinking “is lemon essential oil safe for babies?” yes it is! Bright and zesty Lemon Oil uplifts moods. We recommend diffusing it after nap time.

3. Organic Lavender Essential Oil

Put your baby to rest with the soothing scent of Lavender Oil. Lavender Essential Oil for babies may also boost the mood. However, we do not recommend applying lavender oil on your baby’s pillow as they might accidentally ingest the essential oil.

4. Mandarin Essential Oil

Mandarin Oil has soothing properties similar to lavender, making it a great bedtime alternative for babies who don't like or are irritated by the scent of lavender.

5. Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil

If you’re looking for essential oils for overall health, look no further. Tea Tree Oil for babies has many properties suitable for babies. However, avoid using it on babies younger than six months old and patch test on older infants as Tea Tree Oil may be harsh on the skin.

6. Petitgrain Essential Oil

Petitgrain Oil is an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. Its floral and woodsy scent uplifts moods for adults and infants alike.

7. Organic Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil

Sweet, earthy and woodsy Organic Atlas Cedarwood Oil is great for the body and promotes overall wellbeing.

8. Organic Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Extracted from the freshest roses, Organic Rose Geranium Oil relaxes the mind and body with its sweet and floral scent. It also moisturizes the skin and soothes restlessness in babies.

9. Organic Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Exotic and floral, Organic Ylang Ylang Oil calms moods to leave your little ones relaxed and ready for nap time.

10. Bergamot Essential Oil

With its sweet, zesty and tangy scent, Bergamot Oil has uplifting properties that improve low moods. It also soothes the mind.

11. Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Sweet Orange Oil has a sweet and citrusy scent that also uplifts moods. Diffusing a few drops in the bedroom will cheer up a baby.

12. Organic Frankincense Essential Oil

Dubbed as ‘The King of Oils’, Organic Frankincense Oil soothes skin and promotes peace of mind.

13. Myrtle Essential Oil

If you’re looking for essential oils for babies with colds, you’re in luck. Fresh and sweet with camphorous notes, Myrtle Oil clears congested breathing while soothing coughs and colds.

14. Grapefruit Essential Oil

Keep the nursery free of musty smells. Grapefruit Oil cleanses and freshens the air with a citrusy aroma that energizes the senses.

15. Tangerine Essential Oil

Last but certainly not least, Tangerine Oil can be used to create an ambience that soothes the mind of both babies and parents.

Baby Scent Essential Oil

Baby scent essential oils are (generally) carefully crafted blends designed to offer a delicate and soothing aroma for babies. These oils often incorporate safe, baby-friendly essential oils like lavender oil for babies, chamomile, or mandarin, ensuring that the fragrance is both calming and mild. Chamomile oil for babies, for instance, is a baby scent essential oil as it has a mild fragrance that does not affect the respiratory senses of the baby.

We always advocate to exercise caution while using essential oils around babies, but these specially formulated blends are designed to provide a touch of aromatherapy in a gentle and comforting manner. Essential oils on babies enhances the sensory experience for both babies and parents. Always ensure that the selected baby scent essential oil is age-appropriate and safe for your little one's delicate skin and senses.

But is it safe to use essential oils around babies?

Yes, essential oils around babies (diffusion) and essential oils on babies (topical application) are safe as long as essential oils safe for babies are used (listed in this article).

Essential Oils For Gassy Baby

When addressing gas discomfort in a baby, gentle essential oils like chamomile oil for baby or fennel oil for baby, appropriately diluted and applied in a massage, can provide relief. As always consult a pediatrician first.

Essential Oils Not Safe For Babies In Diffuser

While we are talking about the essential oils safe for babies, it is only fair to talk about the essential oils not safe for babies in diffuser. Not all essential oils are safe for babies in a diffuser. Oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint can be too strong and may cause respiratory issues.

Some of the other essential oils that should be avoided on or around babies are thyme, cumin, bay leaf, lemongrass, citronella and oregano. Again, always consult doctor before using essential oils on or essential oils around babies. It's crucial to choose mild, baby-friendly essential oils like lavender oils for babies or chamomile oil for babies when diffusing around infants.

Dilution Recommendations

Pure Essential oils are very concentrated and must be diluted with a carrier oil or cream when used on the skin. Even after diluted, they may cause skin irritation and sun sensitivity. We recommend performing a patch test on your baby's arms or legs, with each new oil introduced, and to keep them shielded from the sun for the next 24 hours or so.

Diluting essential oils is very important for infants and young children. The recommended dilution ratio is 0.5 to 1 percent, that is, 1-2 drops of essential oils to 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians does not recommend that essential oils are used on infants under three months old as they have extremely sensitive skin.

How To Perform A Patch Test

Apply less than a dime-sized amount of diluted essential oil to a baby’s leg or arm.
Wait for 24 hours to see if there is a reaction.
If a reaction such as redness, inflammation, or pain occurs, discontinue use.
If no reaction occurs, it’s likely safe to move forward with applying the essential oil.

How To Use

Through A Baby Massage

Start by warming a small amount of diluted essential oil between your palms. Slowly rub the oil into the baby's skin, starting on the legs. To massage the chest and belly, spread your hands out towards the sides of your baby and use your fingers to make small circles.

In A Diffuser

When it comes to diffusing essential oils around babies, it's much safer than using them on the skin. But even then, it can be irritating to some. We recommend only diffusing 1-2 drops of essential oils and not diffusing essential oils for babies longer than an hour.

Research – Essential Oils Safe for Babies

So far we have learnt about the safest essential oils for babies.

But, what does science say?

Have there been researches that validate the use of essential oils on babies.

Are essential oils really safe to use on babies?

People use the oils mentioned in different ways; either they diffuse the oil or use carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba oil and apply it topically. Proper dilution of essential oils for using it on babies younger than 6 months is mandatory.

Using the oil may be harmful if you do not know the dose; sometimes 1 drop is enough for babies.

A study investigated the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of lemongrass on the Staphylococcus strains segregated from infants. It reported that the C. citratus oil was effective as an antibiotic. The study was conducted and published in 2019. (1)

A double-blind randomized controlled study in 2020 reported that inhalation of the aroma of lavender oil offered pain relief in premature infants. Furthermore, it did not interfere with other medicines. (2)

A study by Nabila Raniah, Ira Kusumawaty and Desy Setiawati found that massaging babies between 3 to 6 months with lavender oil increased their sleep duration. Even aromatherapy with aromatic lavender oil significantly increased sleep times of babies, because of its sedative properties. Hence the oil can be diffused in the child’s bedroom or applied on the baby’s feet. The research was published in the Journal of Maternal and Child Health Science in 2021. (3)

Babies cry… a lot. Excessive crying due to unknown reasons is referred to as infantile colic. A randomized controlled trial published in the International Journal of Nursing Practice in 2012 concluded that aromatherapy with lavender oil was effective in mitigating the symptoms of colic. (4)

Essential Oil Safety For Babies

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when using essential oils on babies.

Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
Avoid using essential oils on sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
Don’t apply it on broken skin either unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
Keep it out of reach of kids and fur kids.
Do not use essential oils in your baby’s bath in case they swallow the bathwater.
Do not overuse oils. Keep track of how often you use essential oils on your baby. Even when diluted, oils can build up in your system if used frequently throughout the day.
Do not use essential oils on or around babies who are younger than three months.
Do avoid sunlight for some essential oils.
Do not take essential oils orally.
Do not use the following essential oils on your baby, as they are too potent and unsafe for young ones: a. Basil Essential Oil
b. Sage or Clary Sage Essential Oil
c. Wintergreen Essential Oil
d. Peppermint (Mentha x Piperita) Essential Oil
e. Eucalyptus (Globulus) Essential Oil
f. Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to have essential oil diffuser around babies?

The internal organs of babies are in its nascent phase of development. Hence, it is recommended to place aroma or essential oil diffusers away from babies.

Are essential oils safe for newborn babies?

Essential oils must not be used on newborn babies. Several manufactures have launched essential oils for babies, however even these oils must be used only after the baby is at least 6 months old.

What essential oils are good for babies sleeping?

To learn more about the essential oils that aid an infant in sleeping, contact a pediatrician.

Which essential oils are dangerous for babies?

Every essential oil should be used with caution around babies. However, some essential oils should never be used on babies.

These oils are:

Oregano
Tea tree
Black pepper
Clove Ginger
Citronella Lemongrass
Thyme
Cumin
Bay

Is rosemary oil safe for babies?

No, rosemary oil is generally not considered safe for babies, especially when used in undiluted form or in high concentrations. It's always advisable to consult with a pediatrician before using any essential oils on or near babies.

Is diffusing essential oils safe for babies?

Diffusing essential oils around babies can be safe when done with great care. One has to ensure that the essential oils used are baby-friendly, well-diluted, and diffused in a well-ventilated room. Start with milder oils like lavender or chamomile oil for baby, and use a high-quality, cool-mist diffuser. Consult with a pediatrician before using these oils and always monitor your baby's reactions.

Is lavender oil safe for babies to inhale?

Yes, lavender oil is generally considered safe for babies to inhale when used in moderation and with proper dilution. It is one of the milder essential oils and is often used to promote relaxation and sleep. However, ensure that it's well-diluted in a diffuser (or taken in small doses), and monitor your baby's response to the aroma. If you have any concerns, consult with a pediatrician.

Is lavender diffuser safe for babies?

A lavender diffuser can be safe for babies if used with caution and proper dilution. Always monitor your baby's response. Use diffuser safe for babies by choosing high-quality, cool-mist diffuser.

4 Sources