Aromatherapy for Baby Ailments

Colic
Baby colic commonly affects young babies and is bouts of tummy pain. The baby will often cry inconsolable until the griping pain stops. The pain can come in waves over several hours and can recur regularly every day. Other signs could include the abdomen feeling hard to the touch and the baby may draw up their legs to the stomach or may clench their fists. To help with this problem make sure that the baby's feeding times are relaxed and peaceful. When the baby feeds too quickly they could take in a lot of air with the milk which will cause flatulence. Take time to wind baby properly after each feeding. If you are breast feeding also make sure that your own diet is free of foods that can cause flatulence.  

It's important to remember that there are other options out there.  My baby is 10 months old now and growing more beautiful every day.  When he was younger he too had colic. I used the blend listed below to help with the pain and Lavender to help sleep.  After a few days I realised that this wasn't enough and contacted a gentleman who practices a therapy called Amatsu (see links page for contact details). 

This natural movement orientated therapy works with the bodies natural agencies to correct and align injuries, sites, postural faults and enhance movement performance.

He worked on my baby for less than 30 minutes and I learned that the reason for my babies colic was purely trapped muscles in his neck that needed releasing.  That was the end of the colic.

Advice
Make up the colic blend and add 2 drops of the blend below to 30ml of sweet almond oil. Gently massage a little of this oil around baby's tummy in a clockwise motion and then massage a little of the oil into the baby's neck and back to ease and relax baby. Seek further help.

Nappy Rash
Nappy rash is something that can affect most babies at one time or another. The red rash is caused by the baby's urine. It can be painful and worrying to baby and if left untreated could cause a fungal infection. After you have cleaned off baby's bottom you can use a mixture of 4 drops of the blend below in 500 ml of water. Gently sponge the baby's bottom with this and after making sure that it is thoroughly dry add a little ointment to which you have added your essential oil blend. You would add 3 drops of essential oil blend to 30ml of ointment. You could also add 1 drop of the blend to baby's bath water. Changing Nappies frequently will help to prevent this problem.

Teething
Babies will generally start teething around the age of six months and by the time they are 2 or a little older, they will have twenty 'baby' teeth. Some teeth will pop out with no difficulty but often there will be some inflamation, soreness and swelling. Signs you might see include dribbling, rashes around the mouth, runny stools, fever, irritability, crying, not sleeping, biting on anything. You could make a compress with chamomile which you can place along the baby's jawline. Or make up the teething blend below and then add 3 drops of this to 30mls of Sweet Almond Oil. Put a very little of this onto your fingers and gently massage it around the baby's cheek running down gently to the jawline.

Fussing
Babies can be fussy for a variety of different reasons and touch is often a great way to help calm them. You could try doing a gentle, rhythmic massage of their little legs and feet. Baby may take a little while to settle down but often this can calm them down really quickly. You would add 2 drops of the blend below to 30 mls of Sweet Almond Oil.

See mother and baby page for ready mixed blends

Read on for more information on Aromatherapy Essential oil massage for babies.

Aromatherapy for babies

Aromatherapy massage during pregnancy

Aromatherapy massage during Labour

What is Aromatherapy

What are Essential oils

Baby Massage

Step-by-step guide to baby massage