As this holistic blog is for everyone, it also includes babies and if there is one thing babies love its the sense of touch. When we touch one another we are not just interacting on a physical level but also on a spiritual level. Massage is one of the most ancient therapies of all. Think back to your childhood when you fell over what soothed you more than anything else, it was kissing or rubbing your bruised knees better, it is this exchange of energies from one to another that soothes and heals. So what better than to soothe a fretful baby. The best time to massage a baby is not immediately after a feed, their little splincter valve at the top of their stomach is not fully strong and you are liable to make them regurgitate their feed back up. Nor should you massage them when they are very hungry, they wont appreciate your massage. The best time is after a bath.
Massage on its own is soothing for a baby but to relax and soothe a baby for sleep one good way is via Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy oils are very potent and if you are unsure how to use them, don't consult a qualified Aromatherapy practitioner first. They should ALWAYS BE DILUTED and like medications the dosage should be the lowest possible as babies are more receptive and sensitive to essential oils. Not all essential oils are suitable for babies and no essential oils should be used even diluted with a carrier oil on a new born.
Using an electric diffuser such as a ceramic aroma stone is one of the safest ways to diffuse essential oils into the room and can be left on safely unlike a candle type of diffuser. Another way to diffuse essential oils whilst massaging the baby is to put one drop on to a tissue and place near the baby. Essential oils work on the limbic system in that they inhaled in tiny molecules in the atmosphere and picked up by olfactory receptors high in the nasal chambers whereby they have a direct influence on the hypothalamus, the area of the brain responsible for moods and emotions amongst others including homeostasis in the body.
The safest oils to use on babies and small children are Mandarin, Tangerine, Chamomile and Lavender, one drop of these oils can be added to the baby's bathwater but even then the oil should be diluted in a little carrier oil such as grape seed as its the most innocuous of carrier oils or failing this a little milk. Diluting essential oils for adding to bathwater is advisable right across the board babies and adults alike, for oil floats on water and if the essential oil is not diluted it can touch the skin and cause irritation.
Grape seed or Avocado oil, which is richer make the best carrier oils for the massage. Mineral oil, commonly marketed as Baby Oil, is not plant based and is a by product of the petroleum industry and is not suitable as a carrier oil, the essential oils won't blend with it effectively and it sits on the surface of the skin, mineral oil is notorious for blocking pores for this reason, whilst vegetable oils sink into the skin won't block pores and blend with essential oils since they are plant based like essential oils.
The dilution should be NO MORE THAN 1% and blends in carrier oils and bath water and only on babies older than 3 months before this use a diffuser or a drop of essential oil on a tissue near the baby when doing massage. Remember Babies have very delicate and sensitive skin.
For the massage you do not need a copious amount of carrier oil either a dessert spoon of carrier oil is more than enough for a small person, which should be measured out into a small bowl.
How do I work out & measure this percentage?
1 % equals one-drop essential oil to 100 drops carrier and 2% blend equals two drops essential oil to 100 drops carrier.
Does that mean I have to count out 1OO drops of carrier oil?
– No, 100 drops of oil is equivalent to 5mls or one teaspoon,
therefore 1 % dilution would be one drop of essential oil per 5mls and
2% would be two drops per 5mls. A dessert spoon is equivalent to 10 mls. Whatever you do NEVER ALLOW UNDILUTED ESSENTIAL OILS ON A BABY'S SKIN Remember essential oils are still effective diffused in the atmosphere, so if in any doubt consultant a qualified Aromatherapist before commencing using essential oils.
Mandarin and Tangerine essential oils are good for colic
Lavender is good for sleep
Chamomile for colic, relaxation and the discomfort of teething
The video above details a simple routine and the oil used should always be warmed in the palm of the hands first never pour the oil direct on to the baby and a little goes a long way, you do not want your baby glistening like an oil slick apart from being unnecessary it makes it difficult to turn the baby over as baby will slip from your grasp and unsafe. Remember the room should be warm and the safest place for the massage is on a warm towel on the floor.
You should find your baby is relaxed ready for his feed and bed
Maggie Brown (Author)
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