Pregnancy and Baby Aromatherapy - Just the Right Touch

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Pregnancy and Baby Aromatherapy - Just the Right Touch
September 12, 2010

Massage, Bodywork, Somatics, Aromatherapy, Wellness, and More

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September 12, 2010

Hello,

This week, I'm going to give you some information about essential oils and pregnancy from the book Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England. She is an aromatherapist and nurse who runs an aromatherapy clinic for mothers and babies in England. As with all things during pregnancy, work with your healthcare provider.

Rather than looking at essential oils to avoid (about which there isn't consensus), let's look at how Allison says you can use aromatherapy in pregnancy. For any use, she recommends a one percent (1%) dilution:
- To 3.5 ounce bottle (100 ml) carrier oil, add 25 drops essential oil.
- To 1/3 ounce carrier oil (10 ml or 2 teaspoons), add 2 drops essential oil.

Bergamot: Mix with water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.

Roman Chamomile: Use for relaxation with massage, skin care, baths, or vaporization.

Cypress: Use after the fifth month for problems associated with sluggish circulation, such as fluid retention, cramps, and varicose veins.

Eucalyptus globulus: Use to help clear mucous and congestion.

Lavender: Use for relaxation or to help relieve headaches with massage, skin care, baths, or vaporization.

Other essential oils you can use during pregnancy: lemon, mandarin, neroli, petitgrain, sandalwood, tea tree, and ylang-ylang.

Another resource is Aromatherapy During Your Pregnancy.

Aromatherapy for Babies

Caution: Do not let a baby's skin come into contact with undiluted essential oil. If your baby is obviously ill, see a doctor.

Sniffles: Add 2-4 drops of either lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree essential oil to a diffuser in the baby's room.

Constipation: Give your baby or toddler a warm bath to which you have added 1-2 drops lavender diluted in one tablespoon whole milk. Or give them a gentle tummy and lower back massage using one drop Roman chamomile and one drop mandarin diluted in one tablespoon carrier oil. Massage in a circular clockwise direction.

Diaper Rash Cream: To two ounces (50 grams) of unperfumed cream (that does not contain lanolin), add two drops German chamomile and two drops lavender. (If your healthcare provider thinks the rash is caused by fungus, use four drops tea tree oil instead.)

For a calming bath: Add 1-2 drops Roman chamomile to one tablespoon whole milk. Add to bath.

For a colic baby massage oil: To 2.5 tablespoons carrier oil, add one drop of either tangerine, mandarin, or Roman chamomile oil. Directions for colic massage.

Another resource: Aromatherapy For Babies And Children