|
Issue #2 June 2007
Summertime Baby and Child Care with Aromatherapy and Herbs
Part One
Aromatherapy and herbalism are invaluable when caring for young children. Careful use of pure, natural herbals and essential oils provide a natural alternative to chemical drugs. Essential oils are the highly concentrated aromatics from plants and may be used for everyday common ailments and as complementary treatments for general well-being. They are not intended to replace the primary health care practitioner, however, and for any serious or ongoing condition a professional should be consulted. Remember to always keep your essential oils safely locked away from children.
New Borns
Children from as young as 48 hours old may be gently massaged daily using lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils in very low dilution in a carrier oil. This will help bond mother and baby and ensure security and stability. A good idea is to use the same soothing music at bath-time each day when you massage. Always make sure that the environment is warm. Apricot kernel or jojoba carrier oil is very nourishing for young skin. If in doubt, use just the carrier oil—don’t deprive baby and yourself of the joys of spending this time together. Remember to never use commercial baby oil as it is mineral oil and leeches vitamins from the body.
For baby’s bath use fresh herbs in the water or add 1 drop of lavender oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. For massage, blend 1 drop of lavender oil or Roman chamomile oil to 10 ml of carrier oil. These two oils calm the nervous system, and remember that coming out of the womb is a big shock to baby’s nervous system!
To introduce aromatherapy to babies place 2 drops of essential oil of lavender or Roman chamomile on a tissue and keep it nearby when you are feeding him or her. Alternately you may choose to use a little of the fresh herb in a sachet or wrapped in a handkerchief. Baby will come to associate the aroma with love and comfort. Then you may use this scent at night to help baby go off to a safe and secure sleep. Later, when you leave the child with a sitter the aroma will be comforting and reassuring.
1 to 5 years
Children love it when their bath water smells good. Lavender and Roman chamomile are good choices for small children, however calendula, tea tree and grapefruit may be used, and geranium, lemon, palmarosa and rose may be now added to the essential oil safe list. Or pick aromatic leaves from the herb plant or float flowers in the water. Dried herbs are not such a good idea as unless you make a tea and add the tea to the bath water and always remember to watch the temperature. Of course, if your little one has allergies you will take care with which herbs or essential oils you choose.
Remember it is always safest to add the essential oils to a carrier for the bath. With children add the essential oils to some milk or liquid soap or a carrier oil before adding to the tub. If using a carrier oil be extra careful when the child stands up. Use 1-3 total drops per bath. Be sure to keep all bottles of essential oils away from children.
Children love a hand massage and who doesn't like their feet being rubbed! Remember everyone likes to be pampered. Use 3-5 drops of essential oils per tablespoon of a base or carrier oil. You don’t have to get anything elaborate, just a little olive oil from your kitchen will work.
Common Use of E/Os for Children
Colic Use a compress on tummy, or massage tummy with gentle clockwise circles, using 1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of geranium oil in 15ml carrier oil.
Coughs and Colds Add 3 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil to a bowl of boiling water and place the bowl under baby’s crib or cot. Or make a tea with the fresh or dried herbs and put under baby’s crib or cot. Be careful never to place it anywhere near where baby may be injured. Also use 1 drop each of lavender and tea tree essential oil in a 15ml carrier and massage in light circles on baby’s chest and back.
Cradle Cap Massage a blend of 1 drop geranium and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil in 15 ml avocado carrier oil into scalp in morning and leave on all day. Wash at bath time and gently lift any loose pieces. Repeat daily till the scalp is clear. Worried about using the essential oils? Try using a little garlic in olive oil, but baby will smell a little strange!
Crying/Irritable Baby Place 1 drop lavender essential oil or a little fresh or dried lavender in a handkerchief on your shoulder and rock the baby to sleep while the baby's head rests on your shoulder.
Diaper or Nappy Rash
Mix 1 drop each of lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils to 20 ml of calendula oil and apply to baby at every change until completely healed. (Also, be sure to take special care to wash and dry baby well after each nappy or diaper change. Be especially careful of using powders with mineral oils as they clog the skin. Avoid plastic pants and disposable diapers or nappies as they discourage the circulation of air around the baby’s body, while retaining body heat and moisture.)
Heat Rash Bathe baby in a bath in which 2 drops of lavender essential oil has been added to one litre of cooled chamomile tea.
Insect Bite and Burns Use 1 drop of lavender essential oil in 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and mix into a paste with a little cold water. Apply as often as necessary.
Insomnia My favourite recipe to help a small child go off to sleep is to give them a warm bath to soothe and calm them. Wrap them in a warm towel and dry them off. Put them in clean pajamas and tuck them sitting up in bed. Let them sip a cup of warm chamomile tea, while you read them their favourite story. Then place 1 drop of Roman chamomile or geranium or lavender or mandarin oil on each side of their pillow as you tuck them in for the night—you may need to take them for a quick visit to the bathroom before you tuck them in. Lift the covers from the bottom of the crib, cot or bed and massage their feet with 1 drop of a safe essential oil mixed with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Finish off with a great big gentle hug followed by lots of light butterfly kisses. Mmmm, who wouldn’t sleep well after a treat like that!
 If your child has problems sleeping due to the “monster” in the closet, make a “Monster Blend”. Use a hydrosol, i.e. lavender or rosewater, and add a few drops of some calming essential oils. When your little one cannot sleep, spray the room with the blend and tell the monster to go away!
Teething Take a wash cloth and place it in a small bowl of water containing 1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil. Place against baby’s cheek to relieve teething pain. Use a blend of 1 drop each of lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils in 20ml of carrier oil gently along baby’s jawline, upper neck and cheeks as often as necessary.
Essential oil blends may be purchased from Emma Fairbrass info@schoolofct.com at the School of Complementary Therapies or specific blends may be made for your personal needs. Contact us with your requirements.
Of course, I have only covered a few things that can benefit from herbs and aromatherapy in the summer time. If there are other issues you would care to discuss or that require a more in-depth consultation either in person or by phone, please contact me at 613-232-4224 or Jacqueline@schoolofct.com for an appointment.
Keep well,
Doctor of Naturopathy
613-232-4224 -- 1-877-206-7726
schoolofct.com
Jacqueline@schoolofct.com.
"I work with people who want to feel better and people who want to help others feel better."
 Acceptance CD
Using the power of your own mind you can learn to completely relax in the comfort of your own home. The CD "Acceptance" is now available.
Progressive Relaxation Volume 1 "Acceptance" is used by the Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario (ADAO) as part of their 14 WeekProgram.
$1 from each retail sale of the CD goes to the ADAO to help fund programmes for people living with anxiety conditions.
To Order:
Click on the BUY NOW button below
Or
Send cheque for $26.75 (includes GST) to:
The School of Complementary Therapies
317 Catherine Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 5T4
AND
Email admin@schoolofct.com or phone us at 613-232-4224 or 1-877-206-7726 with your mailing address. As soon as we receive
payment the CD will be mailed to you.
CD available for purchase at The Crystal Dawn.
Only $26.75 CAD
ID / SKU: CD-001
S & H: Included
|
