Essential Oils for Baby’s Stuffy Nose

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When your baby wakes up stuffy and fussy, you want a remedy you can reach for that you trust to help them breathe easier while also being gentle enough for their little body. Essential oils can help you achieve both of these goals using natural plant extracts that have been proven over thousands of years.

Aromatherapy is a reliable and gentle therapy that can help treat all types of illnesses and disorders in adults as well as children. Aromatic oils from various plants around the world have been proven to reduce congestion, manage respiratory problems, shorten the length of a cold or the flu, and address all sorts of common ailments. So, which are best for using with your little one’s stuffiness?

The Best Essential Oils for Stuffy Nose

Eucalyptus, also known as Eucalyptus radiata, is nature’s expectorant. It can help relieve chest and sinus congestion, which is why it is such a favorite ingredient in many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. Note that eucalyptus radiata differs from another common variety, known as eucalyptus globulus, which is safe for adults but should not be used on children younger than 2.

Lavender is an excellent essential oil for calming the fussiness associated with congestion, too. If your little one is having trouble sleeping due to their stuffy nose, a little lavender oil can relax them and help them sleep more soundly.

Frankincense essential oil can help to clear excess mucus from your baby’s sinuses, and it is gentler than eucalyptus. Tea tree oil is also an excellent expectorant that also thins mucus and relieves congestion.

Lemon essential oil is a wonderful, natural disinfectant, which can help combat the germs that are causing your child’s stuffy nose, too.

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Essential Oil Blends for Your Baby

If you want to create an excellent stuffy nose blend to use in your child’s room, combine the following into a diffuser and place in your nursery or near where your baby sleeps.

Germ Prevention Blend

Combine two drops each of lemon, lavender, and tea tree oils in your diffuser. This is excellent to use when others in the house are sick, and you are trying to protect your little one from illness.

Nighttime Blend

Combine one drop each lemon, frankincense, and lavender oils in your diffuser. This is good when your child is already stuffy and needs to get a good night’s sleep.

Congestion Blend

Mix two drops each of lavender and tea tree oil in your diffuser to open up clogged sinuses or clear congested lungs. This works well when your infant has allergies, too.

Using Essential Oils with Babies

In general, essential oils are safe to use on children older than three months. Always use proper dilution and application methods for children rather than adults, as essential oils can irritate young skin and delicate airways.

Always ensure you are using essential oils that are manufactured with strict purity standards. Never use oils that have been diluted with alcohol or that include added, synthetic fragrances. These do not have the same health advantages, and they can cause irritation and even severe reactions in children.

Never apply essential oils directly to your child’s skin. You should always mix them with a carrier oil. You should also perform a patch test when using new oils to determine any possible skin reactions your child may have.

When using an essential oil in your diffuser around your baby for the first time, use just a small amount of any new oil for one hour to test for any potential irritation or reaction.