This month's focus is oils for pregnancy and babies and the timing couldn't be more perfect! My firstborn is about to have her first baby and essential oils used safely can be a great support during this time.
I will cover uses for occasional nausea to mood support, skin care, energy boosts, and even creating a safe haven for your little one. As I type this I think these tips are useful for anyone, not just for pregnancy. Here is a pdf download summarizing this post.
✨First things first: consult your doctor or midwife before using essential oils. Pregnancy is a very special time, and we need to be more cautious of the use of essential oils and, as a matter of fact, with everything we consume or put on our skin.
The best way to use essential oils during pregnancy is topically and aromatically.
- Aromatically: Add a drop or two of essential oil in your palm, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Add your favorite essential oil into a diffuser and enjoy the aroma in the room.
- Topically: If you want to use essential oils on your skin, be aware of diluting it more. Meaning, add more fractionated coconut oil or your carrier oil of choice.
- Dilution: For children, elderly people, and pregnant women, it's advised to use a dilution of 1% (2% is usually the norm for healthy adults). This means 5-6 drops of essential oils in 1 fl-oz/29ml of carrier oil. You can also think of it like 1 drop per 100 drops or 1 teaspoon is 1%.
- Hot oils: Just like some foods can be too spicy during pregnancy, some essential oils can feel strong or "hot" on the skin. Oils like Clove, Cinnamon, and Cassia can give a warm or tingly feeling because they are strong. Just like we avoid spicy foods during pregnancy, it's a good idea to be cautious with these oils.
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Essential Oil Uses for Pregnancy
🌿Hormones: citrus oils like Lemon, Wild Orange, Grapefruit are uplifting or try essential oil blends designed to support our emotions like Adaptiv or Balance grounding blend.
🌿Nausea support: Peppermint, Ginger, and Cardamom or DigestZen digestive blend.
🌿Breast tenderness: Geranium essential oil may offer relief for breast tenderness during pregnancy due to its potential to balance hormones and soothe discomfort.
🌿Fatigue support: open the bottle of Peppermint and inhale deeply or add 2-3 drops of Peppermint to your diffuser for a long-lasting aromatic experience. PS: Once your little baby is born and if you are choosing to breastfeed, you need to be a bit more cautious, as Peppermint can decrease milk supply.
🌿Hospital bag: (I will be packing these items for my daughter!)
- Sleep: Adaptiv®, Serenity®
- Uplifting: Wild Orange, Grapefruit
- Baby: Calmer® + Fractionated Coconut Oil to further dilute
- Muscle Support: Deep Blue® Stick with Copaiba
🌿Calm the nerves during labor: Add Lavender to a tissue paper to inhale and feel more relaxed. Besides lavender, try using Wild Orange, Balance or Adaptiv in a diffuser or on a tissue paper for some calm nerves.
🌿Sleep: A diffuser will be your best friend in the days at home. Add 1-2 drops of either Serenity, Adaptiv, Cypress or Cedarwood in your diffuser before bedtime. Remember, if you have your little one nearby, move the diffuser a bit further away and be more conservative with the amount of drops you add to the diffuser.
🌿Relaxing bath: When you're expecting, or after the delivery of your baby, self-care becomes essential. Here's a delightful bath recipe just for you:
- Grab 1-3 cups of natural, unscented Epsom salts. No added fragrances are needed.
- Mix in your favorite essential oil combo. My go-to is 1-2 drops of Lavender and 1-2 drops of Frankincense into the Epsom salts. Give it a quick stir.
- Sprinkle this fragrant blend into your bath and soak your cares away.
Tips for using Essential Oils with Baby
When using essential oils around your baby, remember to keep it safe.
- Dilution Is Key: Always dilute essential oils when using them around babies. A safe dilution is generally one drop of essential oil per one tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Gentle Oils: Opt for mild, baby-friendly essential oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Frankincense. These are known for their soothing properties.
- Diffusion Distance: Place the diffuser in a well-ventilated area, away from the baby's crib, to ensure gentle diffusion. Consider diffusing for shorter amounts of time and with less essential oil than you normally do. For example, you could use a diffuser with an intermittent setting that automatically diffuses in five-minute intervals. If you usually put several drops of essential oil in your diffuser, just put one or two drops instead.
- Test First: Before exposing your baby to any new essential oil, perform a patch test on a small area of their skin to check for sensitivity.
- Monitor Closely: Keep a close eye on your baby's reactions when using essential oils, and discontinue use if you notice any adverse effects.
- Consult a Professional: When in doubt, consult a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your baby's needs.
