Essential Oils for Pregnancy and Babies

Sorry I've been absent the last week...my computer was on the fritz and needed some repairs!  I'm back with an amazing post on using essential oils during pregnancy, delivery, and with infants.  Enjoy!

Here are some great tips from Debra Raybern, naturopath and master herbalist.

During pregnancy
1. Diffusing: Diffuse 20 minutes prior to napping or sleeping. In cases of illness one combination may be Lemon and Purification for coughing at night.
2. Bath time: Two drops lavender in one ounce V6 or olive oil in bath before bedtime to relax. For a morning bath one drop Gentle Baby® in one ounce V6 oil in bath. If there are skin conditions, select an oil to add to the V6 carrier oil to relieve the rash or itching.
3. Feet: The feet are a great way to apply oils to anyone. A few drops of a selected oil applied neat to the bottom of the feet in the morning or evening. Even some of the “stronger” oils may be applied to the feet, many time NEAT. Peace & Calming before bed, Thieves to support immune system health.
4. Massage: A trained massage therapist can provide relief from achy backs when pregnant. Always make sure you ask to be sure your therapist is qualified and has experience in pregnancy massage.

During childbirth 
1. Diffusing: Diffuse oils the mom likes during labor.
2. Bath time: Many women choose to labor initially in the bath. Add 2-4 drops of the selected oil to one ounce V6 oil in mother’s bath to soothe and support labor.
3. Topical application to feet, perineum, and back during labor and transition.

Infants and small children 
1. Diffusing: Diffuse 20 minutes prior to napping or sleeping. In cases of illness
one combination may be lemon and Purification for coughing at night. Peace & Calming during car rides for upset infants and children.
2. Bath time: Two drops lavender in one ounce V6 oil in babies bath if at nap time or night time; for a morning bath one drop Gentle Baby on one ounce V6 oil. If the baby has skin conditions, select an oil to add to the V6 carrier oil to relieve the rash or itching. Refer to Gentle Babies for specific essential oil suggestions.
3. Feet: The feet are a great way to apply oils to infants and small children. A few drops of selected oil, on go a pair of socks and off to bed or play. Even some of the “stronger” oils may be applied to the feet, many times neat (without a carrier oil). Peace & Calming before bed or nap time, Thieves to support immune system health.
4. Hands and arms: The Thieves waterless hand sanitizer applied to the arms and hands before going off to day care or nursery gives protection against the many cooties found on toys, floors and handles.
5. Massage and Raindrop Technique: a modified version of massage or the Raindrop technique can be very beneficial to infants especially when illness is making its rounds through your home. Gentle Babies has a description of giving a massage to babies.

"I can only recommend the use of Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. I spent two years using many other brands with little results and many unwanted effects. With their quality standards the highest and best in the industry you gain therapeutic results without producing potentially dangerous side effects." -Debra Raybern

Interested in purchasing Raybern's book for yourself or someone you know?  Click here.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the book and/or your experiences using essential oils during your pregnancy, chilbirth, and with your children.