Keep your family safe by understanding when and when not to diffuse essential oils around your babies or children.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAre Essential Oils Generally Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Although they\u2019ve been used for centuries, essential oils have become increasingly popular over the past decade. It\u2019s been estimated that by 2025, annual sales will exceed $5 billion dollars. So many essential oil companies exist and highlight the myriad benefits that result from their use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some companies<\/a> even promote their ingestion, which can lead to illness if not done under the supervision of a medical professional. Although there can be a lot of benefits to using essential oils for fragrance, cleaning, and topical treatments, you should be cautious as well. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive positive promotion of these botanical oils can blind a person to their potential pitfalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a story updated for the New York Times<\/a> in 2021, doctors reported that of the few research studies that exist on the effects of essential oils on humans, children have rarely been tested.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since essential oils aren\u2019t regulated by any government agencies, these companies don\u2019t have to prove the safety or effectiveness of their products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This puts the ball in your court<\/strong>. It helps to be selective about what you introduce to the environments where your babies and children will be spending time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are multiple forms of electric diffusers. Ultrasonic ones are the most popular and accessible but heat diffusers, and nebulizing diffusers also exist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nebulizing diffusers release the most concentrated mist of essential oils because there\u2019s no water involved. The oils aren\u2019t diluted, as with ultrasonic diffusers, and the molecules are broken down as with heat diffusers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inhaling these oils in mist form makes it easy for them to travel through the respiratory system, to the brain, into the bloodstream, and even reaches into the cellular level of the body<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies are still developing after they emerge from the womb. Their bodily systems are more sensitive than children and adults even months after they\u2019re born. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, it\u2019s best not to expose infants to diffused oils until they\u2019ve reached 6 months. Some sources suggest 3 months, but Dr. Anna Esparham, a board-certified pediatrician suggested the more conservative 6 month age limit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With an even more conservative position, doctors at Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia<\/a> suggest that only children over the age of three should be exposed to aromatherapy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your baby is older than 6 months and grows to become a toddler, then it might be acceptable for them to be exposed to some essential oils for an hour or less per day. Some oils suggested by Dr. Esparham<\/a> are cedarwood, sweet orange oil, or ginger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Definitely refrain from diffusing any mint or camphorous oils as they\u2019re known to cause seizures infants and children under 30 months<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond age, pre-existing medical conditions and any prescription medications they might be on can impact which oils your little one can be exposed to and for what length of time. It\u2019s best to discuss this matter with a pediatrician in order to meet the needs of your child within the home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Top Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reed diffusers are an evaporative form of diffusion. Diluted oils are carried up through the small holes of thin bamboo reeds and then evaporated into the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is still a form of aromatherapy and babies should not be exposed<\/a> to fragrances in this way. They\u2019re too vulnerable. Their bodily systems are too underdeveloped.<\/strong> And there\u2019s insufficient research to support statements about the benefits of aromatherapy for babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not many toddlers or young children would have the self-control to avoid investigating reed diffusers. Attractive bottles, colorful liquids, and intriguing objects sticking out of the bottles are magnets to the hands of little children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And since they don\u2019t have the developmental capacity to understand the dangers of handling these sticks or the oil, it\u2019s up to you to keep reed diffusers as far away from them as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been a number of poison control incidents<\/a> where children get the oil on their clothes and then end up with irritated nasal passages or lungs. If they accidentally tip the container over or purposely play with the oil, you don\u2019t know what amount of oils is being absorbed into their skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy far the greatest danger to children occurs when highly concentrated oils are accidentally swallowed, spilled onto the skin or splashed into the eyes.”<\/p> (NYT article<\/a>)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Even diluted oils can irritate a child\u2019s skin, so it\u2019s best to store reed diffusers in a place that\u2019s out of your child\u2019s reach.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To a child, these oils might look like a syrupy beverage, but essential oils are not recommended for internal use, in spite of what some companies promote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reed diffusers are too enticing to be placed within a child\u2019s reach and should only be placed in their environment (out of their reach) after age 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children are more sensitive to the adverse effects of essentials than adults are. Inhaling these oils can cause tremors, nausea, upset stomach, or a host of other symptoms. Skin contact could produce a rash, chemical burn, or irritation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More specifically, camphor oil can cause seizures in children under five if swallowed. Wintergreen oil can cause labored breathing and high fever. Organ failure and death are worst case scenarios. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Times article mentioned above further states that some children become sedated by oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree, and they might find it difficult to breathe post-exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are really common oils that can be found in most homes, but they can be dangerous for children. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This information is not intended to scare you, but instead, it\u2019s shared to inform you so that you seek proper guidance from medical professionals, not from corporations or uninformed influencers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s safest to refrain from using essential oils around your babies or children altogether unless a medical professional suggests otherwise. But here are some parameters to consider when diffusing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under no circumstances should babies 6 months and under be exposed to diffused essential oils. Some physicians suggest waiting until your baby turns 3 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Little ones are curious. They\u2019re learning, and in order to do that, they must explore, touch, and taste. You have to make sure your children don\u2019t have direct access to essential oils, even when diluted. Store them as if they\u2019re prescription medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you realize that your child has a persistent cough, has begun wheezing, developed a rash, or is experiencing any other side effect, then take action. Refrain from diffusing the oil and then contact your child\u2019s pediatrician or the Poison Control center<\/a> for direction on what to do next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hinging on the last point, you may want to start by having a conversation with the pediatrician first. Before buying the diffuser or essential oils, ask your baby or child\u2019s physician what\u2019s best for your child specifically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to refrain from diffusing, then limit their exposure to an hour or less per day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The one thing that would be even worse than excessively diffusing essential oils around babies or children would be to diffuse synthetic oils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chemicals and compounds found in synthetic fragrance oils would more gravely impact your child or baby\u2019s health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Essential oils might help some adults cope with anxiety, depression, and other medical conditions, but there\u2019s insufficient research to support the benefits of essential oils for children or infants. You don\u2019t want to self-diagnose remedies for their ailments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might be nice to diffuse oils for relaxation, and you might have even been told that diffusing them for your baby or child is the healthy thing to do, but you have to take pause and contact a professional before diffusing essential oils around babies and\/or children. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAre Electric Diffusers Safe to Use Around Infants & Children?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are Reed Diffusers Safe Around Babies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are Reed Diffusers Safe Around Children?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Risks of Diffusing Essential Oils Around Babies & Children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ways to Safely Use Essential Oils Around Your Little Ones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Age Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Properly Store Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take Notice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seek Professional Guidance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reduce Diffusion Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Never Diffuse Synthetic Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Closing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n