Is It Safe To Use Essential Oils Around Infants?
Essential oils can hold a plethora of benefits for adults, but what about children? While older children may be able to reap the rewards of essential oils, young children and infants should wait a little while before being introduced into the world of essential oils. While essential oils are natural, they are strong and highly concentrated, which may potentially trigger allergic reactions, cause discomfort and or irritation to young children and their developing bodies.
Ideally, essential oils should not be introduced to children until they reach at least 3 years of age, and at this time they should be introduced one at a time cautiously starting with the more common balanced scents. Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, bergamot, or chamomile are good starting points for using aromatherapy around children once they get a little older. Once a child reaches around 6 years of age, you can then begin introducing a wider range of diffused oils into your home around your children, as their respiratory systems have developed to a point where the oils aren’t likely to harm or irritate them.
Which Essential Oils Are Safe to Introduce to my Children?
After your child has left the infant stage, crossed through the baby stage, and is emerging on the other side of toddlerhood, you can start introducing some gentle and mild essential oils diffused into your home. Using your nebulizing diffuser, a few oils you may want to begin introducing first are:
- Lavender – Lavender essential oil is a safe, gentle, and soothing essential oil that can be used to alleviate anxiety, calm the nerves, and promote sleep in children aged 3 years old and older.
- Peppermint – Peppermint essential oil can help to alleviate nausea, soothe aches and pains, aid in decongestion, and provide a fresh burst of energy.
- Chamomile – Chamomile essential oil may be diffused to encourage sleep and to soothe nerves while promoting healthy relaxation.
While these are just a few of the safe oils you may begin introducing around your child after age 3, they are some of the most popular amongst users of essential oils. When children are sick, nervous, or sleepless, they can help give you and your child just the boost you both need to start feeling better in no time at all.
When I Have a Baby Do I Have To Stop Using Essential Oils?
Just because you’ve had children doesn’t mean you necessarily have to stop using essential oils, altogether. While your favorite oils may not be used around your infant or young child, some gentler oils may be diffused in rooms or areas of the home away from where the child is present. For instance, if you’ve been feeling under the weather, you can have a bath with peppermint oil to receive the benefits if your child is safely away with another parent or guardian in another part of the home.
Introducing Essential Oils Safely
As your child gets older, and you’re ready to introduce essential oils back into your home, it’s important to remember to start out slowly at first. Not only should you stick to gentle oils, but you should limit your use of essential oils until you see how your child reacts to them. To do this, you should begin by introducing gentle oils for 3 to 5 minutes at a time, and to use them in large open spaces of the home so the scent is not too overpowering for the child. Even with gentle oils, allergies and irritation can still exist in people of all ages. Click here for more info on essential oil safety.
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24 Responses
valerie
Common sense would tell me not to use this around infants; good to know I can at around 3 though
Florence Cochrane
Interesting post. I learned something today.
Kim Camplin
Very good information thank you!
Coline T.
Thank you! This is so helpful and makes me feel so much better about using oils around the kids :-)
Jessica Walker
Great information. Thank you for it.
Ginger
thanks for sharing!
Irena Matković
Thank you for this info. I love peppermint oil.
Ruth Utterback
not until past the age of 3
Ruth Utterback
not until past the age of 3
Ruth Utterback
not until past the age of 3
Manni
This is very useful. I love using natural products for my kids. Thanks
Delores Harris
the short answer is “No”
Maureen C
Thank you for sharing this important information … there are risks involved in both mainstream and alternative/complementary approaches. As I keep reminding some of my friends, “natural”, “organic”, “herbal” does not always mean “safe” … for any age.
Mary J
Great info. Thanks
Debbie Bashford
Good to know for when family or friends with youngsters visit
Calvin
Very important to know about this. Cheers
LAC
As a grandmother, I really appreciated this article that puts the primary focus on the safety of the child. THANK YOU!
Robert
Thank you!
Maria Leandres
I have always used essential oils diffuser in my babys room.
Dacia d Bolton Bates
Great information! I have wondered if they were safe for babies.
Kiki Kentris
Thank you for the great information in your blog regarding safety of essential oils for infants. I will be passing your blog on top friends and family who have infants and young children, thanks again. Kiki
jason kinnin
good topic to discuss
Miri
Thanx fot this article. I was looking for this information because I have baby and I did not know od I can use essential oils. I learn a lot with your blog
Liz A
May 27, 2019
This was really helpful! I didn’t realize 3 was the age you could start introduction.