When your baby is teething, it can be hard not just for them, but for the parents too. What would calm them down on a regular basis will just not work when those pearly whites are popping out. So, what can you do as a parent to help your child during this irritating and painful phase they have no control over? Have you considered essential oils?
Yes, essential oils for infant teething pain could just be what you are looking for. Wondering what essential oils are good for teething? Read on to find out.
In This Article
- What are Essential Oils?
- How Can Essential Oils Help a Teething Baby in Pain?
- Essential Oils for Teething Babies
- Safety Tips For Using Essential Oils
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are extracted from plants and are used in aromatherapy. The essence in these oils derived from the plants gives a soothing and calming effect when used. These are generally highly concentrated and have to be highly diluted with a base oil and applied topically.
How Can Essential Oils Help a Teething Baby in Pain?
Many parents prefer the use of essential oils to any form of medication for teething pain. Essential oils have a calming effect and can act as mild sedatives too. This can be very helpful to calm down a baby in pain. It can also help them sleep better as teething is one of the biggest reasons for sleep disturbances.
Essential Oils for Teething Babies
Different oils have different properties. Not all oils can be used for babies of all age groups. Here we have split up the use of essential oils for teething based on the age of the baby:
1. For the Early Teethers
While some babies may sprout teeth around the time they turn a year old, some can have teeth as early as 4 – 7 months too. This can be very tough on the tiny babies and the parents too. This is the stage babies generally get introduced to solid foods. Teething along with new foods can be confusing and very challenging for infants. So here are a few essential oils for teething babies that can soothe the pain:
A. Chamomile Oil
This is one of the most commonly used essential oils for teething pain due to their sedative effects and non-toxic nature that can help calm down a baby in pain.
How To Use: Diffusing essential oils for teething is the best option when it comes to young babies. Fill a vaporizer with water and add a drop or two of this oil.
B. Lavender Oil
Lavender can be very soothing not just for adults, but for babies too. With the use of lavender oil, a teething baby’s pain can be reduced. Its natural antiseptic and sedative qualities make it a good and safe choice for young babies.
How To Use: Dilute this oil (less than 0.5%) with a base oil and gently massage this along the infant’s jawline.
2. For Babies Over 6 Months
The majority of the babies tend to start growing teeth when they are 8 months+. The gums are not very tender as in a 4-month-old.
A. Ginger Oil
This oil can reduce muscle pain and other aches due to teething. This being a strong oil can cause irritation if not diluted properly.
How To Use: Dilute this oil with vegetable oil and apply it directly to the aching gums.
B. Marjoram Oil
More commonly used by adults to increase blood circulation and reduce pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis, this essential oil can be used for babies too.
How To Use: Dilute this oil with a base or carrier oil and gently massage it along the baby’s jawline.
3. For Children Above 2 Years
Babies’ teething phase can extend until they are above 2 years of age until all 20 teeth have grown. Some of the essential oils for teething toddlers are:
A. Clove Bud Oil
This oil is more commonly used by adults for their dental pain. It can help reduce pain caused by muscle tension. Since this is a strong concoction, it should not be used for babies below 2 years and should not be ingested.
How To Use: Use this blended oil at a ratio of 0.25 percent and massage along the infant’s gums. Check with your child’s pediatrician or dentist before you use this oil on your child.
B. Copaiba Essential Oil
Using the essential oil of copaiba for pain relief is not unheard of, but copaiba for teething? Yes, when you use copaiba oil for teething, it can help reduce your baby’s pain and also heal the wounds in their gums.
How To Use: Use a drop or two of this oil per ounce of carrier oil like avocado or grapeseed oil to dilute. Massage the gums with it.
Safety Tips For Using Essential Oils
Even if you are using the best essential oil for teething, here are 4 safety tips to follow:
- Always do a patch test to check for allergic reactions
- Dilute the oil with a base oil in a 0.5% ratio. Never apply it directly.
- Massage the diluted oil gently. Do not rub it vigorously.
- When diffusing the oil, ensure the diffuser is kept away from the baby’s reach.
Teething can be a tricky phase. Try out these soothing oils or check with your doctor for remedies to help your baby during this difficult time. If your baby shows any adverse reactions to the oils mentioned above, discontinue usage immediately.
