It is an exciting time when a new parents welcomes a new baby into their family! We have some great ideas to use essential oils for both mom and baby to enhance wellness, increase happiness, and sooth those fussy moments.
Before we dive in, I would like to share a quick disclaimer. Information in this post and on this site are used for educational uses only. The intent of this content is not to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical ailment. If you need medical attention, please consult your doctor. Also, we do use affiliate links in many of our posts that could potentially result in us receiving commissions on purchases after clicking. In no way do these commissions impact the prices you pay and are based on negotiations with the sellers.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, when you're not bogged down with morning sickness. We chose a more minimalist route to having both of our boys, but a few things were especially helpful that we are sharing here. The baby carriers were a lifesaver with our oldest, and having the bouncer remove from the swing we had was incredible for saving space, but also being able to have the boys in the bathroom while I was able to shower.
Our favorite baby gear:
Looking at all the products created just for babies and pregnant moms, I have to cringe a massive cringe. The ingredients are abhorrent. Whoever decided it was ok to put hormone disrupting, neurotoxic carcinogens as ingredients in products “designed” for sweet babies seriously needs Jesus!
And here it is… a big cry for your attention… PLEASE for the love of that baby, know what the ingredients are in the products you're planning to use.
Don't feel obligated to use anything toxic someone else gives you. If you see parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or things you can't pronounce or readily identify, please look up what they can do to your baby's health and make an educated decision. Even the “tear free” stuff marketed just for babies can set your baby up for future health problems. You and that sweet child both deserve better!
My favorite skincare company has a few baby items that we thoroughly enjoy using. Both my boys have thrived with their baby oil, baby wash, and skin balms, AND they provide me with the peace of mind that comes with knowing the ingredients are tested for safety (banning 2,500 common skincare toxins… far more than any country in the world).
DIY-ing your own products is totally acceptable too, and not very difficult. I know DIY isn't for everyone, so we found and tested out our favorites and have them listed below for you. Most of them use essential oils because they are much safer than alternative products, especially when used properly.
Essential Oil Ideas for a new mom and baby
Please note, using essential oils while pregnant and on infants is highly controversial. Please do your research and use your discretion prior to using essential oils during such a vulnerable time of life. Please consult a health care professional well versed in essential oil use, if you're unsure on whether or not you wish to use essential oils during pregnancy or around infants.
Essential Oils and Oil-Infused Products for New and Expecting Moms
Pregnancy is no joke! I know both mine resulted in hospital visits from some nasty 1st trimester nausea that made it difficult to eat and keep food down. This was a total lifesaver for us!
The number one complaint I kept hearing from my birth support team was I needed more protein (didn't help that I had some massive cravings for nothing but cucumbers). The Pure Protein Complete was a total lifesaver! (I love adding a scoop to smoothies)
Ginger essential oil is great for helping with the morning sickness nausea, or the feeling after eating something that doesn't quite settle with you. Just a tiny bit diluted in some carrier oil (I recommend one drop per 5ml carrier oil).
You may also be experiencing low magnesium… try getting a magnesium spray to spray on your arms and/or legs. We used the magnesium spray from Ancient Minerals and it worked wonders!
**Quick tip… if you or the mom-to-be in your life can't handle the ginger smell, use a little cardamom diluted on her ear lobes instead of ginger.
Nourishing Body Butter
Taking care of that growing belly is incredibly important, and can even reduce stretch marks (or prevent them all together). Keep your skin healthy while your belly grows and recovers after birth.
I LOVED using this recipe (and still use it being postpartum. Often I use mango butter instead of shea butter, but both ways turns out great.
Radient Mama Body Butter
- 1 cup Shea Butter
- 1/2 cup Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup Almond Oil
- 10 drops each Lavender and Frankincense essential oils.
Melt, combine, stir the oils… adding the lavender and frankincense after the oils begin to cool but still in liquid form. Once solid, whip up your creation to make it silky smooth with a butter-like consistency.
Don't want to DIY? This Body Butter Collection is my absolute FAVORITE to use and to give away when I don't make my own!
Rest Well
Keeping well rested is also incredibly important. Growing a baby takes a lot of energy, and sleeping at night becomes less and less as trips to the bathroom become more frequent. Enhance your quality of sleep with Peace & Calming or Tranquil essential oil blends!
Peace & Calming is a gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. This fragrant oil is a wonderful, gentle addition to your meditation, evening routine, or playtime with the kids.
Tranquil combines the comforting aromas of Lavender, Cedarwood, and Roman Chamomile into a blend that is easy to apply and even easier to love. The Tranquil Roll-On applicator provides convenience and portability, and its proprietary essential oil combination offers a warm, slightly sweet fragrance. Just inhale deeply or roll onto your wrists to enjoy a moment of tranquility.
Both Peace & Calming and Tranquil are fantastic for helping reduce stress too… nothing quite like taking those bothersome thoughts that cause your blood pressure to raise and for you to feel a bit like panicking and melting them into a nice relaxed mood, which is especially important while pregnant.
Love Yourself Too
Pregnancy can be rough with all sorts of mixed emotions flooding through. Keeping your mood up with this diffuser blend of tangerine, grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot helps to uplift the mood in the room and keep new moms happy!
Happy Mama DIY Essential Oil Diffuser Blend:
- 3 drops Tangerine
- 3 drops Grapefruit
- 2 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Bergamot
Fill the rest of a 10ml roller bottle with a carrier oil (we love Sweet Almond)
Happy Mama DIY Roller Blend:
- 10 drops Joy essential oil blend
- 10 drops Grapefruit
- 10 drops Bergamot
Fill the rest of a 10ml roller bottle with a carrier oil (we love Sweet Almond)
A carrier oil can be any cold-pressed, seed-based oil (ideally organic and unrefined). This includes most cooking oil, like coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil. Personally, we LOVE using sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and the V6 Carrier oil (made by Young Living). This is the best way to dilute your essential oils for topical use.
Not interested in DIY?
Gentle Baby, Joy, and Harmony pre-made essential oil blends are all excellent alternatives. Easily among my top 10 favorite blends as a mom to use as perfumes, to help uplift my mood, and to help recenter my mind.
Fitness
Maintaining your fitness and activity levels (unless otherwise instructed by your doctor) is so very wise!
After your walk, jog, or workout, lounging with some frankincense and copaiba in a magnesium bath (or Epsom salts) can help ease your muscle tension!
Keep a roller bottle on hand too to apply before and after your workouts to reduce muscle fatigue and soreness.
Active Mama DIY Roller Blend:
- 5-10 Drops each Frankincense, Copaiba, Grand Fir (White Fir)
Fill the rest of a 10ml roller bottle of your favorite carrier oil.
A carrier oil can be any cold-pressed, seed-based oil (ideally organic and unrefined). This includes most cooking oil, like coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil. Personally, we LOVE using sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and the V6 Carrier oil (made by Young Living). This is the best way to dilute your essential oils for topical use.
Need empty bottles? You can order them from any bottle supply shop that offers essential oil bottles or even off Amazon. Personally, we save our old essential oil bottles, remove the labels, and reuse the bottles with a roller fitment. On occasion, we indulge in a YL branded roller bottle (they're so pretty). To reuse your bottles, ensure they are clean by soaking the empty bottle disassembled in boiling water for at least 15 minutes. Then let dry. Need a fun roller bottle?
Preparing for baby
Being prepared for your baby's arrival is a must!
Whether your planning a home birth, a hospital birth, or to go to a birthing center, you should have your bag ready to go, so you are prepared to head out right away, or for a last minute backup plan.
We don't go anywhere without our hand sanitizer and cleaning spray… because… germs. We also advise keeping some extra oils in your bag so you don't have to worry about adding them at the last minute when you're rushing out the door.
** Quick tip ** If you're planning to use essential oils during labor, have them dropped on cotton balls in zip lock bags. This way you can breathe in the lovely aroma when you want, but you're not stuck with it diffusing (or previously being diffused) if your sense of smell heightens and becomes unbearable.
Great gift ideas for new moms include:
- Nontoxic Hand Sanitizer,
- Nontoxic Cleaning Supplies
- Peace and Calming essential oil blend,
- Gentle Baby essential oil blend,
- Lavender essential oil
- Seedlings Bundle, featuring healthy, nontoxic:
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Baby Lotion
- Baby Wash and Shampoo
- Baby Oil
- Linen Spray
- Rope Basket
- Hooded Bath Towel
- Washcloth
- Sofie teething toy,
- 6-12 month size clothes (many babies – including mine – are too big for newborn sizes when born, so larger sizes will be appreciated, though they are most often overlooked)
- And of course some fun little books (because I'm a total sucker for books)
Essential Oils and Oil-Infused Products for New Babies
Babies do require special care, especially when using essential oils. Their small bodies are much more sensitive than ours. The chart below shows the maximum amount of oils you should add into carrier oils.
I typically recommend 1 drop of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil the first 6 months. Then 6-24 months I typically only use 2 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil. That keeps it easier to remember, especially if you're little one is more sensitive than most.
Sleep
Sleep is so important for babies. It is during sleep where they grow, and process new knowledge they've learned during the day. Help your baby sleep with lavender and sleepyize essential oils.
Lavender is the most gentile of all essential oils, and can be used for soothing skin in lotions, calming babies in a baby oil (we love the Seedlings Baby Oil that already has lavender in it), and even helps soothe little mouths when those teeth start popping up (just rub on the outside of their jaws).
Sleepyize is an essential oil blend specially made for children. It helps during those moments when baby needs to sleep, but is fussing. A little Sleepyize (just like the lavender) helps calm little ones so they get restful sleep.
All you need is 1-2 drops in the diffuser (be sure not to run more than 20 mins at a time, with 30-60 min break between diffusing sessions).
Sleep Baby Roller Blend:
1 drop SleepyIze to 10ml of a carrier oil (we like to use Sweet Almond because it is the easiest for babies to process). Then roll on Baby's back and/or bottom of feet.
Calm Baby
Peace & Calming is fantastic to add to your routine to help your little one calm down! That is by far my favorite to use in our home!
While Peace & Calming is good to keep on hand, and also can clam down moms too, Stress Away is also great for mom to keep on hand.
Not much will stress a baby more than being tied to a stressed out mom (or forced to cry alone because mom is too stressed to “adult”). Putting some stress away diluted in a roller bottle to keep around is an excellent idea. Stress Away is so good for melting away those stressful emotions that keep new moms frazzled and feeling unable to function.
Happy Tummies
Sometimes baby tummies get a bit upset. Diluting some TummyGize and applying to those little tummies work wonders on helping settle that little belly.
Happy Tummy DIY Rollerball Recipe:
- 1-2 drops TummyGize essential oil blend
- 1 drop Ginger essential oil
- Fill the rest of a 10ml roller bottle with your choice of carrier oil
This roller recipe is fantastic for helping little tummies progress!
If you feel your little one isn't pooping enough, you can also help move things along by lying your baby on a bed or changing table on his/her back, and gently lifting Baby using your index fingers down Baby's lower back. Each time we do this, we end up with nearly overflowing diapers afterwards!
A carrier oil can be any cold-pressed, seed-based oil (ideally organic and unrefined). This includes most cooking oil, like coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil. Personally, we LOVE using sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and the V6 Carrier oil (made by Young Living). This is the best way to dilute your essential oils for topical use.
Supporting Baby's skin
Helping calm your baby's skin is a must in many houses. While lavender is typically our go to (often the lavender lotion already made by Young Living because sometimes DIY is just too much for new moms to take on), sometimes adding a little Melrose essential oil blend can help too.
Melrose is a blend of Naouli, Tea Tree, Clove, and Rosemary essential oils that is powerful cleansing properties that supports the appearance of skin.
Because of its ingredients, the Melrose essential oil blend is controversial to use on children under 6, but we have had a lot of success and experienced no problems with it diluted no less than 1 drop per 5ml of carrier oil.
Combat sniffles
Sniffles seem to be common after the first couple weeks. We had great success seeing our chiropractor and being tested for food sensitivities. Often an unexplained histamine response can be caused by food sensitivities. With babies having immature intestines, they are much more susceptible to reading to sensitivities, regardless if breastfed or formula fed.
SniffleEase blend by Young Living is specially made for kids, and really helps with providing support and soothing stuffy noses. Alternating with Myrtle has been a lifesaver for us while waiting for our results.
Eventhough SniffleEase is pre-diluted with fractionated coconut oil, we still advocate for additional diluting, as with any other oil.
Control Diaper Smells
I laughed remembering hearing so many people telling me baby poop doesn't stink. While it may pale in comparison to toddler poops, baby poop still has its own stink! We didn't opt for a Diaper Genie with either or our boys, and quickly realized how fast a simple trashcan (with a lid) can still stink up an entire room after just one poop. We loved the trick of adding a couple drops of Purification Essential Oil Blend into the trash can. It quickly kept the stink at bay.
I hope you enjoyed these ideas! Please let us know in the comments what you use and which suggestions are your favorite!
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Nicole
P.S. The oils we talked about today can be found through Young Living. If you’re not already a member, we would love to help you get started with a 24% discount, opportunities to earn free oils, and hook you up with our exclusive support groups and favorite resources.
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