Lavender oil not only helps babies and children sleep better – it’s also a kid safe, natural home remedy to help your child with so many more ailments…
Written by Sonoma Lavender Wellness Team
Over 20 years’ experience producing lavender spa products in Sonoma County, California.
STORY AT A GLANCE
• Lavender is one of the very few essential oils safe enough to use for babies above 3 months, toddlers and young children. Well-known for helping your kid sleep better, it also eases pain and colic, soothes rashes and eczema, relieves a cold, cough and congestion - and even helps reduce a fever.
• How lavender essential oil can safely be used as a natural home remedy to effectively treat 12 different health-related problems common to babies and kids.
• Kid-safe solutions on how to use lavender for infants, toddlers and children with a variety of methods including diffusion, skin application techniques, massage, as a spray, in the bath – as well as lavender infused heat therapy.
You want the absolute best for your little one. You want to help them sleep well; feel better quickly if they get sick; and stop any pain or discomfort. Most of all, you want them to be happy and content. And you want to do it using a safe natural home remedy…
Enter lavender essential oil. Just one whiff of lavender can immediately make your kid (and you) feel calm and more relaxed. It’s also by far the most widely used kid safe essential oil to ensure a good night’s sleep for your infant or child.
But lavender’s aromatherapy benefits don’t stop there. It’s also a great pain reliever, can help with colic, diaper rashes and eczema, ease a cold or fever, coughs and congestion, and naturally boost your child’s mood and emotions. Most importantly, lavender is one of the very few essential oils safe enough for babies above 3 months, toddlers and young children…
Here’s how lavender essential oil can help your infant or child sleep better, as well as many other ways you can use this exceptionally versatile natural home remedy…and do so safely…
5 BENEFITS OF LAVENDER OIL FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN
As one of the gentlest of all oils, it’s not surprising that more and more moms are turning to lavender as the best kid-safe essential oil for their baby, toddler or young child. It can not only help ease a baby’s tummy and teething troubles and relieve any pains or sprains, but may very well be the ‘magic potion’ natural home remedy you’re looking for to calm a fussy, restless child or finally soothe your baby and child to sleep.
1. Promotes and Improves Sleep
One study found that mothers that bathed their infants in lavender-scented water experienced multiple benefits for both mom and baby. Mothers became more relaxed, and touched and smiled at their babies more often. Their babies, in turn, looked at their mothers more, cried less often and spent more time in deep sleep after bath-time.
It’s also been found that a lavender oil massage can also help relax a fussy baby and encourage longer and deeper sleep. After introducing a bedtime massage routine with mothers and their babies, a study found that bedtime become becomes easier, and the babies experienced less night-time waking.
2. Calms and Soothes
As lavender essential oil quickly and safely relaxes the body and calms the mind, it can also be a life savior if your little one is anxious, insecure, or in any form of emotional distress - helping to soothe that incessant crying that can be so stressful for any mother.
3. Natural Pain and Colic Relief
As a powerful natural pain reliever, lavender oil helps ease the discomfort of colic as well as relieve the everyday headaches, teething problems, earaches and other pains and sprains that can inflict your baby and child.
A study found that a lavender oil aromatherapy massage can help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of colic. Another study confirmed lavender as effective for treating babies in pain. It was found that newborns who smelled lavender while having a heel prick test felt less pain and were not as distressed as those in a control group.
4. Soothes Rashes, Eczema, Bug Bites, Cuts and Burns
When it comes to diaper rash - or any other skin condition like eczema or cradle cap - lavender helps calm and relieve that as well. It even tames the itchiness and redness of mosquito and other bug bites, and helps soothe and heal small wounds, cuts and sunburn.
5. Relieves Congestion and Fever
Lavender oil can also help with a stuffy, congested nose from a cold, soothe a cough, as well as ease a fever.
12 WAYS TO SAFELY USE LAVENDER OIL FOR YOUR BABY OR CHILD
Here’s how to use the multipurpose aromatherapy benefits of lavender essential oil as a safe and natural home remedy to help your restless, distressed or injured infant, toddler or child – and make your life so much easier…
1. For Better Sleep: If you’re struggling to get your baby or child to sleep, lavender essential oil can be a big help. Try a calming oil massage with lavender and Roman chamomile, or a warm bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil before bedtime.
Otherwise diffuse a blend of lavender and Roman chamomile for 15 minutes and then switch off 30 minutes before your kid goes to sleep.
A lavender infused soft and cuddly stuffed animal warmed up in the microwave can also be the perfect night-time calming comforter for your little one.
2. Calm Anxiety, Crying and Irritability: An essential oil whiz at lowering anxiety and easing any emotional distress (including ADHD), lavender oil can either be diffused as a calming scent, or used as part of a gentle, soothing massage.
3. Soothe Burns: Add up to 5 drops of lavender oil to a tablespoon of soothing aloe vera and mix well. Apply liberally to inflamed skin 3 times a day to help soothe pain and heal quicker.
4. Relieve Colic: A comforting tummy massage with lavender oil diluted in warmed olive or coconut oil can help relieve the pain, help relieve the pain, promote sleep, decrease crying, and soothe a restless child. Otherwise, warm up a lavender infused heat wrap in the microwave and drape over the stomach. Warm lavender baths have also been found to help relax and soothe colicky infants.
5. Ease Colds, Coughs or Congestion: Blocked stuffy nose or an irritation cough? Try a diffuser blend of lavender, frankincense and lemon oils in a well-ventilated room.
6. Soothe Cuts and Wounds: Add 2-3 drops each of lavender and tea tree oil to 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and mix well. Using a cotton ball, gently apply to the wound 2 to 3 times a day.
7. Relieve Diaper Rash and Eczema: Also helps with heat and many other rashes; lavender can even soothe eczema. To relieve irritation and redness, blend 1 drop lavender and 1 drop Roman chamomile with 2 tablespoons of warmed coconut oil and apply.
8. Ease Earache: Combine 2 tablespoons of carrier oil with 2 drops lavender, I drop Roman chamomile, and 1 drop tea tree oil. Put a drop on a cotton ball and place on the surface the ear, and also rub a small amount on the neck and behind the ear.
9. Reduce a Fever: Dilute 1 to 2 drops of lavender in two tablespoons carrier oil, and massage a small amount on the neck, feet, back and behind the ears. Chill a lavender infused weighted blankie in the freezer to help reduce a high temperature.
10. Relieve Mosquito Bites, Bug Bites and Itchy skin: Mix 1-2 drops of lavender oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and apply directly on the affected areas at least twice a day. Good for Mom and Dad too!
11. Ease Pain: For pain relief from minor headaches, aches or sprains, mix a few drops of lavender oil in a bowl of hot water. Soak a small towel and use it as a hot compress to help it heal quicker. Another simple way is to use a lavender spa mask as a hot or cold compress to relieve the pain.
12. Teething Pains: Try one of these simple home remedies - a gentle jawline massage with diluted lavender oil, a lavender-infused warm compress along the jawline, or a diffuser blend of 2 drops each of lavender and Roman chamomile, to help ease the pain.
The Many Remarkable Lavender Oil Uses You Probably Want To Know About – Read More
HOW TO SAFELY USE LAVENDER OIL FOR BABIES AND KIDS
You may be wondering if essential oils are safe for your baby, toddler or child. They definitely can be - provided you stick with kid safe essential oils and follow specific usage guidelines. Lavender is well known as one of the best, mildest, gentlest - and safe - essential oils for babies and kids. But like all pure essential oils, lavender is highly concentrated and potent, so extreme care is needed before use.
When using lavender essential oil on your child, it’s very important to properly dilute the pure essential oil with carrier oil as their skin is so much more sensitive. It’s also best to do a patch test safety-check to assess skin sensitivity before use. Apply a small dime sized amount of the diluted essential oil to an arm or a leg, and leave for 24 hours. If there is any reaction - like redness or pain to the touch - discontinue use, and try again when the child is older.
An Important cautionary note.
No essential oil should ever be used for newborns under 3 months. Similarly, they should never be ingested by a baby or child. It’s also advisable to avoid using with infants or children who have asthma or apply on broken skin.
There are many different ways you can use lavender essential oil for babies, toddlers and kids. Just choose which would be the best for both you and your child…
1. Diffusion
A diffuser is recommended as one of the safest ways to use essential oils for all children above 3 months of age – from infants and babies to toddlers and older children. It’s best to avoid using humidifiers and nebulizers for your little ones.
Never use adult doses for children – always check the diffuser instructions on how much oil to use for your baby or child. If in doubt, a broad rule of thumb is to use 1-3 drops of lavender oil starting off with the lesser amount for young babies and toddlers.
Diffusers should also only be run intermittently - turn on for 15 minutes, then off for 30 minutes – in a well-ventilated room. It’s also best to avoid diffusing if your baby has asthma or respiratory sensitivities. It’s also best to avoid diffusing if your baby has asthma or respiratory sensitivities.
2. Apply To Skin:
Lavender essential oil should always be well diluted in a carrier oil before using on the more sensitive skin of a child. Common carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil.
For children older than 3 months, safe dilution ratios of between 0.5% to 1.5% are recommended:
0.5% dilution for babies 4 months-1 year (1 drop of essential oil in two teaspoons carrier oil)
1% dilution for ages 2-5 (1 drop of essential oil in one teaspoon carrier oil)
1.5% dilution for ages 6-15 (3 drops of essential oil in two teaspoons carrier oil)
Perform a patch test first to check for sensitivity. Then apply a few drops on the back of the neck, chest and tummy - in fact, anywhere on the body where your child is unlikely to put the treated area (like their foot) in their mouth.
You can also make your own roller ball for easier on-the-go application for young kids. Fill a 0.25-ounce glass roller ball bottle with a carrier oil, and add 1 drop of lavender essential oil (a little over 1% dilution).
3. Massage:
A wonderful relaxing option for babies and toddlers which not only calms and soothes before bedtime, but also makes for a closer bond with your child. Mix one tablespoon almond oil, ½ tablespoon olive oil and ½ tablespoon coconut oil (melt over low heat if solid) together with 1 to 3 drops lavender essential oil.
A safe dilution ratio for babies is 0.5% to 1%, meaning 10-20 drops of lavender oil per 7 tablespoons of carrier oil. Always perform a patch test before using.
4. Sleeping Spray:
Mix 7-15 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and stir. Add 3 tablespoons water and pour into a 4-ounce spray bottle. For babies and toddlers, use as an air freshener or a sleeping spray in an open well-ventilated room as part of their pre-bedtime routine.
Once your toddler has got past the stage of putting everything in their mouth, a ready-made lavender linen spray can be used to mist their pillows and other bedding items half an hour before they go to sleep.
5. Warm Bath:
Dilute lavender essential oil in a carrier oil as above. Simply add a few drops of the diluted oil to a warm bath. If your little one loves to splash about as part of their bath-time routine, bathing with essential oils is not advisable as they may get some oil in their eyes or mouth. Once they are older, you can switch to pure lavender bath salts or bubble bath as simpler bath-time options.
6. Weighted Lavender Blanket or Heat Wrap:
It’s well-known that many kids sleep better under a weighted blanket, particularly if they are hyperactive. If that blanket is infused with the calming scent of lavender, even better.
Choose a soft, plush, weighty lavender blankie that can not only be warmed in the microwave to promote sleept, but also chilled in the freezer to reduce a fever or temperature. Or try a lavender heat wrap to soothe localized pain in smaller areas like the stomach.
7. Lavender Stuffed Plush Animal:
One of the easiest ways to introduce your toddler or child's life and sleep routine is with an adorable heatable lavender stuffed animal that will quickly become a favorite cuddle buddy.
The Cutest, Softest and Cuddly Heatable, Scented Stuffed Animals You Won’t Be Able To Resist – Read More
IMPORTANT NOTES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
It’s important to consult with a medical practitioner before using essential oils near babies and children. It is also highly recommended you seek additional advice from a certified aromatherapist. Essential oils should never be used on newborn babies under 3 months and kids who have asthma, or ingested by children.
Always ensure you use a 100% pure lavender essential oil (lavandula angustifolia) from a reputable brand like Sonoma Lavender, and not a ‘fragranced’ oil, which will not only won’t work as suggested, but in the case of babies and kids, may even cause harm.
Keep essential oils out of children's reach. If an oil is ever ingested, give the child an oil-soluble liquid such as milk or cream. Immediately seek emergency medical attention. A few drops of pure essential oil shouldn't be life-threatening, but for your protection, it is best to take these precautions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is lavender oil safe for babies and children?
It’s best to avoid using any essential oils around babies under 3 months old as their little bodies and skin are far too sensitive.
However, for babies of 3 months and older, lavender is one of the gentlest oils for careful use, such as in lotions, very light diffusion or diluted in a carrier oil.
Suggested dilution ratios for topical (skin) applications on babies and children: -
Infants (6-12 months) – 0.25% (1 drop per 4 teaspoons of carrier oil)
Toddlers (1-3 years) – 0.5% (1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil)
Children (3-6 years) – 1% to 2% (1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil)
Children (6-15 years) – 1.5% to 3% (2-3 drops in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil)
Patch test 1 drop in two tablespoons of carrier oil beforehand to check for any sensitivity. Apply a few drops on the back of the neck, chest and tummy - in fact, anywhere on the body where your child is unlikely to put the treated area (like their foot) in their mouth. Ensure you avoid any sensitive areas near the eyes, mouth, or on broken skin.
How do I use a diffuser safely for kids?
For babies over 3 months and toddlers, diffuse in a water-based vaporizer using 1 drop lavender oil in a well-ventilated room and run intermittently for 15 minutes at a time, followed by a 30-minute break. For children aged 5-16 years, you can gradually increase to 2-3 drops over time, always monitoring for any reaction.
Diffuse on the side of the room that is opposite the child. Do not allow the diffuser to run non-stop or leave it on overnight. Avoid diffusing essential oils inside a child’s bedroom.
Immediately turn off a diffuser and seek medical attention at the first sign of a stronger side effect, such as breathing difficulties, coughing, headache, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.