How to get a baby to sleep with essential oils
It can be so easy to help your baby sleep with essential oils. One of the most powerful, yet often underestimated, ways to use oils is aromatically. Just smelling a pure, therapeutic grade essential oil can have a profound effect on us physically, emotionally and mentally. We can accomplish this through diffusing, putting oils on a favorite toy or applying topically.
I am a mother of 5 and since my youngest was born we’ve been using essential oils as part of her “time to go to sleep” routine too. With her my favorite is Serenity blend. Here are some tips:
1. Use the same oil consistently when its time to sleep. The same is true about what your before-bed rituals are, change them in the same place, use the same sound machine setting or CD, etc. This teaches babies and children what to expect. Adding an essential oil to the routine not only signals to them that its time to sleep again but actually helps them fall asleep because of the calming properties of a pure essential oil like those from our favorite company.
Gentle oils for sleep are Lavender, Serenity blend, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile and Frankincense.
Always dilute 1-3 drops of essential oil per 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (virgin or fractionated coconut oil, olive, sweet almond, jojoba, etc) and 1-3 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon for children and adults.
I made up a little roller bottle of Serenity blend, 1-2 drops per 10mL roll-on bottle, and would put it on behind her ears, on her feet, across her jammies, across her sheets, and on me since I’d be rocking her. Whatever worked best that night is what I did, sometimes all of those, sometimes just one or two. Every few months you can change it up.
2. When your baby is old enough to sleep with a little blanket or beloved stuffed animal friend. This as a safe and easy way to help baby sleep with essential oils. Here is my baby girl’s favorite bunny:
Just add a drop or two to the stuffed animal or blanket and they can cuddle up with it and fall easily asleep!
*Do not use strong oils undiluted on their animal or blanket, like peppermint, eucalyptus or cinnamon as it could burn their eyes or be too strong for them to breathe in
*please never use a blanket in your baby’s crib before 12 months of age. Please follow all safety guidelines for stuffed animals, toys and blankets near your baby/toddler when they sleep.
3. When your child is old enough, let them help!
We have several roller bottles around just for our youngest, with oils like Balance blend (great for tantrums), Serenity and Frankincense. I typically use about 5 drops in a 10mL roller for her age now, the rest I fill with fractionated coconut oil. She LOVES to roll them on her own feet and put them on her babies and I love that its so safe. It makes them feel special to put on their own oils and develops a love for natural solutions and taking care of themselves. (roller bottles can be found on aromatools.com)
My daughter is 20 months now and she will remind me to put oils on her bunny if I forget. 🙂
4. Here’s a popular blend to use to calm children.
5. Finally, a diffuser is a great way to deliver a calming essential oil consistently through the night. For overnight use its best to have one without a light, since that disrupts sleep patterns, as well as either an automatic shut-off or controls that allow you to use it all night with a low output. (Learn more about diffusers)
Are you desperate for some more sleep? Would you like some guidance on how to use help your baby sleep with essential oils? Click here to learn how
Happy sleeping!
nadia says
Hello my name is Nadia and i see your post is really old, but still really really helpful. I have a new born baby who will be 2 months on the 17 of this month. She is really fuzzy. Like super fuzzy! She only naps for a while(like 20 minutes) if she isnt being held. Its a struggle to get her to sleep because she fights it and she is just crying and screaming none stop until she finally passes out. I was reading alot of your blogs and i have a question. If i was to use the chamomile qith the diffuser do i have to dilute that or no since its not going on the skin? Also what other oils would you recommend for her fussiness?
Alexandra says
Hi!
I was wondering at what age is it save to youse breathe blend?
Thx
Regan says
I have diffused it to help my 9 month old with no problems!