Baby Love Part 2: Roman Chamomile

​First off, what a week! No matter who you voted for (and I sure hope you exercised your right to vote!), it sure was interesting to watch all the election results play out! Even more exciting though, one of my friends finally had her adorable baby boy and I can’t wait to meet him! Welcome to the world, Jack! On that note, I apologize for my post being late this week; I was enjoying the beautiful autumn weather on Sunday and watching the election coverage on Monday.
So, here we go! Last week we talked about using Lavender oil for various baby-related problems and this week we are talking about the ONLY other essential oil which is safe to use on babies, period. Roman Chamomile!

This is a sweet smelling, gentle oil that has many uses for both mom and baby. As with lavender, Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) needs to be diluted at 0.5% for babies under 2 years old, which is equivalent to one drop for every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil. This is ideal because honestly, it’s not a cheap essential oil so buying a little will go a long way.
Before I even begin telling you what you can use this oil for, I want to point out that if you or your baby are allergic to Ragweed or other flowers in the daisy family, this oil should be avoided as it is from the same family. If you’re a mom-to-be, avoid using Roman Chamomile during your first trimester.
Let’s get to the good stuff. You’ll notice that lavender and chamomile overlap a bit when it comes to what you can use them for but when I think of indigestion and upset stomach, the first oil that comes to mind is chamomile. Overall, it’s excellent for skin and digestive issues and because it’s so gentle, it’s an oil that most people can use, even those with sensitive skin. Some common physical problems that can be addressed using Roman Chamomile include insect bites, teething pain/toothache, digestive problems, colic, and gas. Chamomile is very calming and sedating, therefore great it’s to use at bedtime as well. As with lavender, you can add it to the bath or dilute it in oil and rub some on your baby’s back/tummy [gently] to provide some relief.
I said that this oil was good for moms too so here you go, ladies! As it is anti-inflammatory, look for products that have chamomile in them to help soothe/heal cracked nipples. It’s also good for dry, itchy skin which makes it ideal to go in a stretch mark cream or balm. If you have a slight case of the baby blues, chamomile may also help, though you should always consult with your physician to choose the right treatment options – this in no way is meant to over ride what your doctor says!
There are various types of chamomile out there but because Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is exceptionally gentle, this is the one most aromatherapists recommend using on babies.
I mentioned using chamomile oil for teething babies and next week, I’ll get into that more when I dedicate an entire post to suggestions regarding teething!
Have questions regarding how to use essential oils on your baby or even yourself? Drop me a line on the contact page, I’d love to hear from you!
Have a great week and enjoy these last few summer-like days, before we know it we’ll be seeing white stuff!
Ash XO