It’s not always easy getting sleep as a new parent, or getting a new baby to sleep, for that matter.
Even if there are no other issues on hand, like colic, sleep just doesn’t always come as naturally as everyone and everything would have you believe.
When the nights get long and restless, there aren’t always a lot of options, and every baby and family is different.
One thing that seems to work very well for a lot of infants (and even children and adults) is essential oils. Quite popular for all the things they are said to help alleviate, heal, and relieve, essential oils are used the world over for sleep.
Whether it’s overexertion, anxiety, bad dreams, or illness, there is an oil that will help your baby reach or get back to la-la land. Here is just a sampling of many oils believed to work well for sleepy babies and their parents.
Diffusing a few drops of these oils in water at night is suggested for use, as some oils can be irritating to sensitive skin, and are therefore not safe for topical application.
Lavender
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Lavender essential oil is probably the first oil just about anyone thinks of off the top of their head for help with sleep.
Truly, there is science behind the effectiveness of lavender anything producing a calm and relaxed state, therefore helping you to fall asleep easier and faster, and it works just as well for babies.
There is a reason why so many baby products on the market are formulated with some amount of lavender scent – it works.
Chamomile
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Another really popular essential oil for sleep is chamomile. If you’ve ever had a cup of chamomile tea to calm you down before bed, then you know just how relaxing and settling it can be.
Diffusing chamomile oil before and during bedtime can relieve insomnia and fight off anxiety, helping you both to get those long-lost zzz/s.
Peppermint
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If your significant other’s (or yours) snoring is keeping baby awake, try diffusing some peppermint essential oil in the room during sleep to help clear the nasal passages and relax your breathing to allow for smooth and shallow breaths.
It is a great oil to use for allergies and stuffy noses as well!
This and eucalyptus essential oil go hand in hand for relief from snoring for all.
Eucalyptus
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A necessary item during cold and flu season, eucalyptus essential oil helps to break up chest and nasal congestion, allowing for easier breathing at night for you and your little one.
It also calms the nerves and helps you relax, so using it any time you or baby aren’t feeling great is highly suggested.
Sandalwood
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One of the more expensive essential oils on the market, sandalwood oil has a very unique and highly sought-after aroma that relaxes the mind and helps with all kinds of negative emotions.
It is calming and sleep-inducing, and the scent is mild enough to use around your baby as much as you want.
It can help ease symptoms of asthma as well, so it is great to have on hand for all kinds of breathing issues.
Ylang Ylang
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A nicely subtle, floral scent that helps to wind down the mind and prep for sleep is ylang-ylang essential oil.
Its anti-stress properties are very powerful, and with its light and airy aroma, it is perfect for nursery bliss for baby.
It also mixes well with other oils to create a powerful oil blend for many relaxing purposes.
Infant Sleep Blend DIY Recipe
3 drops chamomile
2 drops lavender
4 drops sweet orange
3 drops ylang-ylang
Dilute into the water, and diffuse anywhere baby will be sleeping to help promote sleep. It is suggested to keep using it in the same place to build a habit of sleep in one particular area.
DO NOT INGEST OR APPLY TOPICALLY TO INFANTS.
As with all essential oils, these oils are not endorsed nor approved for use to treat any disease or aid in the relief of any symptoms by the FDA. Use all oils at your own risk. All humans are different and react differently to everything, so what works for one person might not work for another. Babies are more sensitive to oils than children or adults, so practice caution with all use.
Related Essential Oil Articles:
- 20 must-have essential oils
- Essential oils for use in pregnancy
- Top 5 essential oils for stress and anxiety
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