Can Aromatherapy Benefit Babies?

Aromatherapy is the wonderful smell of a baby fresh from its bath, smelling clean, feeling warm and cuddly. Oh wait, that’s another type of aromatherapy! The truth is, your baby can benefit from aromatherapy and massage. The trick is to use moderation, carrier oil and never using anything but tiny drops of essential oils. Using small amounts of essential oils can be used only when the baby is over three months old.

Massages for babies under three months old can be very beneficial and will help with the bonding between mother and child. Massage is just as relaxing for an infant as it is for an adult. Starting massages on your child can make a difference between a contented baby and a cranky one.

How do you manage a massage on such a tiny little body? First, again, never use essential oils on your child until they are over three months old, and then use sparingly. Massage is comforting and can help ease colic. Choose a time when the baby is comfortable and relaxed. Don’t try to massage just before or just after a meal. After their bath is the best time, warm, cuddly, and relaxed. Take them to a warm room, after unwrapping them from their warm, cozy towel, lay them on the floor or the bed. Lay them either on the front or the back, whichever one they seem to prefer until they are used to their massage.

Pour a little carrier oil into your hands (half a teaspoon is usually enough.) Use carrier oil like Apricot Kernel or Grapeseed. As good as baby oil smells, it isn’t good for your baby. It blocks skin pores and is the worst possible stuff to use on your baby. The baby’s skin can’t breathe and baby acne can usually be blamed on the use of baby oil on your infant. Mineral oil is also not good to use on your baby. If you don’t have any of the special oil mentioned, use a little olive oil.

You’ve warmed the oil by rubbing your palms together now it is time to start on your baby massage. Starting with the front of the baby, place your hand at the top of their chest and gently bring it down in a clockwise motion. You will rub gently over the ribs, down the tummy, circling the abdomen and bring your hand back to its starting position. Gently take both hands and run them gently up and down each arm. Repeat this process ten times. Remember; be firm but tender while doing this massage.

Use the same gentle motion down the legs, if you feel your hands are getting dry; add a few drops of oil. Start at the foot, gently press upwards to the top of the leg, and back down. These also need to be repeated ten times.

Roll your baby over onto their tummy; it’s time to do the back. Begin with the legs, starting at the feet; slide your hands up and down the legs about ten times. Then up the back and that is done pretty much the same way as the front. Start near the shoulders in the middle, slide your hand down in a large circle movement, back up to the starting position then down over the shoulders, down the arms, and back up again. This motion should be repeated ten times just as the front was.

You can use a special massage if your baby is suffering from colic or constipation. These two conditions are equally distressing both for the baby and the parent. Using the same motions but only using the tips of two or three fingers can relieve this. Warming the carrier oil in your hand, place your fingers at the top of the abdomen. This is just under the navel and gently but firmly move them around in a clockwise motion. Repeat this motion ten times. How is your baby responding? If the crying is less, you can do these motions a little longer. The same type of finger massage is good for constipation.

When your baby is three to six months old, you can begin to use essential oils but never more than a drop or two. This massage technique can be continued for as long as it is good for both parent and baby. In time, both you and your infant will look forward to this time of day.

Making a little chest cream can treat colds and coughs. Choose a cream that such as lanolin that has no fragrances or allergens. Add one-drop eucalyptus, Roman Chamomile, and two drops of lavender for each tablespoon of cream. Rub this mixture into the chest going clockwise up, over the throat and continuing behind the ears. Use the same motion for the back.

You can use essential oils in the room but only with a diffuser. One-drop of Eucalyptus and two drops of lavender and be sure the diffuser is not close to their bed. Oils are powerful, natural, but not harmless! In the case of essential oils, more is not better.