As promised, I am excited to share part 2 of “Essential Oils for Pregnancy.” If you missed that post, I talked about essential oils for the first, second, and third trimesters as well as essential oils for labor and delivery.
Today, I am going to talk about essential oils for postpartum and newborns.
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You can use essential oils aromatically and topically for new babies. Some essential oils are considered “hot” oils, and you will want to stay from those until your baby is older.
Hot Oils to Avoid Using Topically
Cassia
Cinnamon Bark
Clove
Oregano
Thyme
HOW TO DIFFUSE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NEWBORNS
For aromatic use, add 4-6 drops of essential oil to a diffuser and diffuse in the baby’s room. Or you can add essential oils to a pot of water and simmer on the stove to release essential oil molecules into the air for the baby to breathe in.
DIFFUSER BLENDS FOR NEWBORN
Sleep Time
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops frankincense essential oil
1 drop vetiver essential oil
Diffuse this blend overnight or during nap times to help the baby sleep more soundly.
Awake Time
3 drops wild orange essential oil
2 drops lemon essential oil
1 drop lime essential oil
Diffuse this blend during the day to promote happy feelings and uplift the mood.
Boost the Immune System
2 drops wild orange essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
1 drop clove essential oil
1 drop cinnamon essential oil
Diffuse this blend to cleanse the air, kill airborne germs, and boost the immune system.
Breathe Easy
3 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
1 drop of lime essential oil
Diffuse this blend to promote clear breathing and open up airways.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR POSTPARTUM: AFTERBIRTH PAINS
These are the worst. You have been in labor for so long, your baby is out, and you thought it was over…but it’s not. The more kids you have, the more painful these are. On a good note, these afterbirth pains are your uterus contracting and returning to its pre‐pregnancy size.
Apply essential oils topically to the abdomen as needed to help with the discomfort.
With the hormone changes, mixed emotions, and change of life, it is quite normal to experience some sort of baby blues. 10-15% of women suffer from baby blues, and I was one of the lucky ones after I had my first baby. I cried when things were good, and I cried when things were bad.
One night I wanted to make potato pancakes for dinner. I whipped up the batter, was frying them, and when I went to flip them, they broke apart. No big deal, right? Maybe not, but when you are 2 weeks postpartum and have the baby blues, it definitely is. My husband walked in from work and thought the world had ended because I was so upset, now it’s laughable, but at the time, I couldn’t control myself.
These essential oils are very uplifting and can promote a positive mood. Diffuse a blend of these oils when feeling down or apply them topically to the pulse points.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR POSTPARTUM: ENERGY
Newborns are hard work 24 hours a day. They love to be held and snuggled, eat often, and need lots of diaper changes. In the beginning, when you are up all night, you are going to be exhausted. Essential oils can be used to naturally boost your energy, stimulate the brain, and help you to stay alert and focused.
Diffuse a blend of these oils or apply topically to the pulse points.
Did you use essential oils on your baby or yourself after giving birth? Share your favorite essential oil blends for newborns and postpartum in the comments below.
Hi Laura, I’ve appreciated your blog and YouTube channel for a while, but now we’re expecting our first baby and I’m discovering a whole other world! I have a question about the healing spray. How would I apply that? By spraying my pads, or by spraying it on myself?
Hi Laura, my baby is 2 1/2months. I see you have in your post that 4-6 drops is safe for diffusing. For what quantity of water would this be for? I have the 150 ml Doterra petal diffuser. Secondly, is it safe for me to run it all day or is there a time limit due to baby’s age? Thanks so much!
It more depends on room size and preference than it does the size of the diffuser. Only do about 1-2 drops total in the diffuser for a baby and keep doors open to keep it from getting too strong.
Hi Laura.thanks for the info.
about the post partum roller bottles for the mommy ,do you have a video of a blend that you made or the amount of drops you used of the citrus or flower oils?
Question… is peppermint okay to diffuse while breastfeeding? I do not want to apply topically. I have a 1 month old who is a little congested and I am using your newborn “breath easy” diffuser recipe, but I do not want the peppermint to affect my milk supply. Thank you!
Most people are OK diffusing it, it is mainly a problem for milk supply when using topically or internally. Congrats on your little one! I have a 5 week old 🙂
Love these recipes and will make them for my daughter and new grandson. Just wondering if you have a recipe for the afterbirth pain combination, or just put equal amounts of each?
Thank you for your post! I currently don’t have any oils so I’m trying to narrow down where to start. I financially can’t buy a lot right now. Im due in March and I’m really interested in clary sage. Is this safe for baby to dilute and apply to my nipples since I’m breastfeeding?
Missy says
Hi Laura, I’ve appreciated your blog and YouTube channel for a while, but now we’re expecting our first baby and I’m discovering a whole other world! I have a question about the healing spray. How would I apply that? By spraying my pads, or by spraying it on myself?
Laura says
Thanks so much! I would spray on the pads or even soak them in it.
Iris says
Hi Laura, my baby is 2 1/2months. I see you have in your post that 4-6 drops is safe for diffusing. For what quantity of water would this be for? I have the 150 ml Doterra petal diffuser. Secondly, is it safe for me to run it all day or is there a time limit due to baby’s age? Thanks so much!
Laura says
It more depends on room size and preference than it does the size of the diffuser. Only do about 1-2 drops total in the diffuser for a baby and keep doors open to keep it from getting too strong.
Ernest Pawell says
thanks after sharing
Shade Vrutaal says
Hi Laura.thanks for the info.
about the post partum roller bottles for the mommy ,do you have a video of a blend that you made or the amount of drops you used of the citrus or flower oils?
Laura says
All the recipes are in the post and I do have a video on youtube as well.
Emily says
Question… is peppermint okay to diffuse while breastfeeding? I do not want to apply topically. I have a 1 month old who is a little congested and I am using your newborn “breath easy” diffuser recipe, but I do not want the peppermint to affect my milk supply. Thank you!
Laura says
Most people are OK diffusing it, it is mainly a problem for milk supply when using topically or internally. Congrats on your little one! I have a 5 week old 🙂
Linda says
Love these recipes and will make them for my daughter and new grandson. Just wondering if you have a recipe for the afterbirth pain combination, or just put equal amounts of each?
Laura says
I do equal parts of each.
Carol chavez says
For the roller bottles .. Do u use 10ml and 1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of frankincense and fill remaining bottle with friction oil correct
Laura says
Correct!
Twyla Bolling says
I love essential oil and I have been assigned the duty of oil combination after 1at grand is born Oct. 7. Where do you purchase your oils?
Laura says
I use doTERRA. Here is a link if you want to check them out: https://shopoils.com/laura-ascher/.
Tina says
Can you rub newborn head at birth with frankincense oil (diluted)
Laura says
Frankincense is a great oil for babies. I would dilute one drop in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil for a newborn.
Christen Clower says
Thank you for your post! I currently don’t have any oils so I’m trying to narrow down where to start. I financially can’t buy a lot right now. Im due in March and I’m really interested in clary sage. Is this safe for baby to dilute and apply to my nipples since I’m breastfeeding?