All the mamas out there really want one thing for their children. That is to have them experience life to the fullest with minimal pain and suffering. Keeping our children healthy and safe can be a challenging task and using essential oils to keep children healthy naturally is no exception. So how can we use essential oils with our kids?
Many times, we tend to think that because something is an “all natural” product that it cannot do us harm. This is not the case when it comes to essential oils since they are very highly concentrated and have a combination of certain chemical components. There can be serious consequences to using essential oils, especially if applied undiluted.
Children are particularly sensitive to aroma as well as products that are applied to the skin. A child’s immune system also needs to be considered as it is very different than the adults and takes years to fully develop. Because of this, children cannot deal with adverse effects which can occur when products such as essential oils, which are highly concentrated, are applied to the skin without dilution.
The brand of essential oils that is used does not change the makeup of the oil. There are oils such as peppermint, certain chemotypes of rosemary and eucalyptus oils, for example, which should be monitored carefully because of cineol 1,8 and menthol and it’s effect on slowing down respiration. Peppermint should be avoided with children under 6, rosemary and eucalyptus should be avoided all together for children under 10 years of age. (Tisserand, 2013)
Sensitization is another thing to consider when using essential oils with children. This is because sensitization can occur over time and may not be visible in comparison to an allergic reaction which shows up sooner. Sensitization is not reversable and involves the immune system, and if a child has been using undiluted oils since they are babies they may grow up sensitized to essential oils.
Safe Practices
Some things to keep in mind when using essential oils with children is that they should be used with caution and with a certain intention. More caution should be applied to premature babies, avoiding all essential oils until they reach at least 3 month after their due date.
It is recommended that oils should be avoided with children before 3 months due to their thinner skin and immature immune systems. It is also safest to introduce one oil at a time when it comes to babies. Any sort of irritation will develop within the first 12 hours, with more severe reactions occurring within the first hour.
In case of an allergic reaction, it is recommended that a carrier oil be applied such as coconut oil or olive oil, on the site of the irritation to wipe off and then wash off with warm, soapy water.
Babies should never ingest the oils. This is the number one reported case of accidents with children involved and that is them ingesting the oils according to Robert Tisserand.
Poison control recommends that you call your pediatrician right away and bring the bottle with your to the ER or the pediatrician office if your child does ingest any oils. It is also recommended that you watch your child for any signs of poisoning such as: diarrhea, stomach pains, dizziness, fever, headaches and loss of appetite.
Buying Essential Oils
With so many different type of plants, it is important to use the correct species of essential oils. When purchasing essential oils, be sure to note the Latin name of the oil you are buying, to make sure you are getting the right oil.
Safe Oil Practices
Using oils safely depends on the stage that your child is in. Here are the stages broken down as a reference:
0-3 months
It is recommended that at this stage your child does not use any oils topically. They have very sensitive skin and can develop a reaction to the oil if applied. If you have a congested baby on your hands then you can still diffuse an oilto help them with a congestion, but to not diffuse it all day. Instead to try and diffuse it on for 15-30 min and then turning it off. It is also best to avoid any daily uses with any oils.
3-6 months
At this stage you can start introducing oil one at a time. Allow 24hrs to pass before introducing any new oil to make sure there is no reaction. Always dilute the oils used on your baby. If any reaction will occur you will see it within those first 24 hrs. More severe reactions happen within the first 15-30 min. The dilution ratio during this stage is 2 drops per 2 TBSP (30ml). Yes that does sound like a lot of carrier oil, but your baby really does not need that much oil to reap its benefits.
6-24 months
It is safest to try to introduce your child to one oil at a time still. However, this may be too hard and you have to really watch out for those reactions on the skin. Those typically appear within those first 24hrs and more severe reactions within the first 30 min. The dilution for this stage should be 4 drops of oils per 2 TBSP (30ml).
2-6 yrs
The fun stage! Include your child in the process of picking out their oils. They will be involved with their personal care and start learning the uses for each oil they pick. Their immunity is well built at this stage but if your child has a special condition such as asthma, please let your pediatrician know what you plan on using.
6 yrs onward
All oils are generally safe for children at this stage. But again if your child has a specific issue that is a chronic issue, you will want to let your pediatrician know which oils you are using.
Get a free guide of age appropriate oils and how to use them down below.
Do not hesitate to reach out!
Much love,
Krystina
