Baby Love Part 1: Lavender

​Babies, babies, everywhere! I’ve come to that point in life where many of my friends either have kids or are on the verge of having kids, which is great for me because I can get my baby fill and then give them back when they start to cry Aunties really are the best, aren’t they? Having said that, this is the beginning of a little mini-series all about babies and toddlers! Enjoy, mamas!

​To start off, I thought I’d write about one of the safest essential oils out there – lavender! Unless you have an allergy, anyone can use lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), babies included! Beginning at 3 months up until 2 years of age, dilute lavender at a 0.5% ratio (that’s one drop into 2 tsp of carrier oil) It doesn’t seem like much but trust me, it’s plenty for a little body that is still adjusting to life outside your tummy!
Lavender EO has a very calming effect on us, therefore it’s great to use if your baby is restless or having trouble sleeping! Diffuse some in their room or dilute it as mentioned above and add some to the bath or give your baby a gentle little massage with the oil!
Don’t want to use yucky chemicals on your baby’s skin but also fear them being eaten alive by mosquitos? Lavender is a natural bug repellent! It also takes away the itch if your little guy/gal does get bitten.
Baby’s got the sniffles? Dilute some lavender and rub it on their chest for quick relief. It relaxes and eases breathing, making it suitable for various respiratory problems.
Finally, you can purchase Lavender hydrosol which is the water by-product that is produced when essential oils are distilled. It is very gentle and can be sprayed onto your baby’s pillow/blankets to help them sleep. Hydrosols can be used as is, there is no need to dilute them.
Are you reading this and your baby hasn’t arrived yet but he/she is on their way? Great news! Lavender aids in childbirth! Using it when you’ve gone into labour is said to speed up the delivery process without increasing the severity of contractions.
As with any essential oils, you should always take a break from using them and change them up when you can. Because the options are so limited with babies, I personally think it’s best to use them when they’re needed and not “just because” so your child doesn’t form a sensitivity. Always remember to dilute the essential oil at a 0.5% rate when applying it to your baby’s skin and as with anything else, if it’s causing any irritation, discontinue its use immediately. Other than that, enjoy this versatile oil!
Have a lovely week and from my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Ash XO