Essential Oils for Babies and Children

What I love about essential oils is that they are a good for the whole family.  We use them to support our immune systems, clean our house, and to uplift grumpy moods and relax tensions.  But before you get started on using essential oils on children, here are a few basics to know:
 

Using Essential Oils Safely with Children

It is important to know that even though essential oils are sourced from herbs and plants, they are much more concentrated and stronger than the actual plants. Because of this, there is more of a chance to experience problems with them such as topical irritation, allergic reactions, and sensitivities, especially with little ones.

Children have smaller bodies than adults, so they do not need the same amount of essential oils as an adult would.  They are also more sensitive to the therapeutic effects of oils, so again, they need a smaller amount. And it is also important to remember that children have not been exposed to as many things that an adults has,  making their bodies more sensitive to new experiences.

It is also good to know that not all essential oils are appropriate for children.  There are many that are beneficial to little ones and support their immune systems, emotional bodies, and overall growth and development.  However, there are some oils that should be reserved for bigger people.
 

Essential Oil Dilution Ratio for Babies and Children

In all of my research on essential oils and children, I have learned that the key factor in safe usage is the dilution ratio.  Many essential oils are strong and not recommended for children under a certain age, but depending upon the dilution ratio used, some of these oils can be used.

The safest dilution ratio for children under 6 years old is a .25% to 1% dilution and for children over 6 years old, the typical ratio is a 1% dilution.  (This ration can vary a bit depending on age and reason for application.)

I recommend using this image from Young Living when learning to properly dilute your essential oils.

Using Essential Oils With Your Little Ones

It is my opinion that as parents we need to take charge of our little one’s health.  It is ultimately up to us to do the research and make the final decisions about what we feel is the best approach to support and nurture our children.  I am in NO WAY a medical expert on essential oils and children. But I was raised using these oils (since I was 8 years old) and I do believe that there are essential oils that are effective and helpful for our little ones, as long as you follow the dilution ratios mentioned in the previous post.

So to get you started on your own personal research, I recommend investing in an Essential Oils Reference Guide.  I have one desk reference that I keep at home and one pocket reference that I take with me on the go. The pocket guide is the one that I’ll giving as a Thank You gift to folks who buy their starter kits through me this month!

Also, I would recommend reading the warnings about essential oils and children according to the book ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY.  I would consider this a very conservative list so do your research and make your own decisions.

I do want to mention that there are a couple of oils that should be used with caution on very small children.  Oils that contain menthol and/or 1.8-cineole such as Rosemary, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus have been shown to cause negative reactions when inhaled by very young children (toddler age).

These potential reactions are seen in a very small minority of children. You could say the same with probiotics, fermented cod liver oil, etc. So at the end of the day, just like with everything else, each mama needs to decide what's best for their kiddos.

Young Living Essential Oils for Babies and Children

One of the most common essential oils is Thieves Oil, which contains both Eucalyptus and Rosemary.   - VERY diluted, of course. I know many other families who do as well.  But it is very important that you do your research and decide for yourself. Use common sense and always start small. A little goes a long way when it comes to essential oils. 

You will also see that Young Living has their own line of toothpaste for children which contains Thieves Oil.  You can see it HERE. Again, use your best judgement.

You can check out THIS video on Essential Oil Safety and Children.  It gives some great alternatives to some of the essential oils mentioned above if you decide not to use them.

Young Living Essential Oils actually carries a line of KidScents that are specifically formulated for children and address the most common concerns of childhood.  Just be sure to do your research to determine if these oils are age-appropriate for your child.