Cold season is in full swing and keeping your baby healthy is so important. Here are some great alternatives to tylenol and other over the counter medications for your baby and even the whole family.
When Bree left the NICU she had so many procedures done to her tiny little body that I knew I wanted to reduce the use of medications that have long term effects on babies. So I began looking into safe, and natural alternatives. Essential Oils have been a gift in our home saving us money on everything from doctor visits to allergy medication.
We have used essential oils in replace of baby tylenol, teething gel, diaper rash cream, cold medication etc. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Peppermint
Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral,anti-parasitic,antibacterial,antiviral,anti-fungal, pain relieving
Can Be Used For:
Fever Reducer
Upset Tummies both diarrhea and constipation/ indigestion
Allergies
Headaches
Boost immunity
2. Lavender
Antiseptic, anti-fungal, analgesic, anti inflammatory, anti-convulsant
Can Be used for:
Respiratory infections
Allergies
Burns
Eczema
Tension/ Stress
3. Tea Tree Oil
This is the best way to keep your baby healthy and avoiding sickness altogether! We use tea tree oil on Bree before play date, going out on errands and she has only had one cold! Seriously this stuff works!
Fun Facts: Tea Tree Oil kills strains of staph infection that antibiotics can't!
It is an effective:
Antibacterial, Antinfectous, Antiinflamatory, Tissue Regenerative, and Boosts immunity
Can Be used for:
Allergies
Bacterial Infections
Protect against illness
Bronchitis
Yeast infections
Colds/Coughs
So how do you use it safely and effectively?
1. Always always always use a carrier oil such as: Coconut, almond, olive, and even canola oil if it's what you have. Essential oils are very strong, thus it is not safe to use undiluted no matter how reputable the company. Take a few drops of carrier oil and put in a bowl, your palm etc
2. Less is more! Your child may be really sick and so if one drop works we'll just try five right?! Wrong! Oils are very potent and are meant to be thought of as you would medicine. One to two drops for a baby will do the trick just fine. In some instances I only use a half a drop for her
3. Do not consume. Again, oils are strong and not meant to be consumed, especially for little ones. The one exception is for teething oils in which case the oil is heavily diluted and placed on baby's gums only.
How to Apply
1. Massage:Take your carrier oil and one to two drops of oil mix together and place on the area that your baby may be struggling with most. If his/her tummy is upset doing a tummy massage with the oil is a great and effective way of treating it. Rubbing oil on the bottom of baby's feet is fast and effective as your feet have the largest pores in your body. This is a great trick for drawing a fever out of a baby. For days when Bree is sick and not feeling good I might do peppermint on the bottom of her feet, but give her a full body massage using lavender to calm her down.
2. Diffuse: Having a quality diffuser allows the benefits of the oil to infuse your house, and body. This is a great way to keep sickness at bay, clean the air and help your little one feel better.
3. Bath
This is a great way to help your baby relax and feel better safely. The bath water is the dilutant and so all you need to do is put a drop or two in a bath for your little one to enjoy. A drop or two in a bath makes a baby feel better in no time. For congestion I love using peppermint or eucalyptus in the tub.
Essential oils are a great alternative to over the counter drugs and baby care items, remember to use a therapeutic grade oil and have some fun! If you have questions about oils feel free to leave a comment or message me!
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