Calm Your Baby Naturally with Lavender

Here are some tips on using lavender to create a more relaxed atmosphere while caring for your baby:

Massages: Both baby and mom can benefit from a relaxing lavender massage. Try a ready-to-use lavender massage oils, or mix a few drops of the essential oil with sweet almond oil or unscented lotion to create your own. Lavender is one of the most gentle essential oils and needs only a little dilution for application to even a baby's skin.

Baths: A soaking bath with lavender is another wonderful way to relax. Choose from a variety of lavender bath products, or simply add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the bath water. For baby's bath, use just two or three drops; for Mom, use five to ten.

No time for a baby bath?: Rub a few drops of lavender into your baby's hair for a fresh, floral aroma, or add 2-3 drops of lavender to a bowl of warm water to enhance a quick sponging off.

In baby's room: Use a diffuser or a lavender mister to disperse the scent of lavender throughout the room during naps and bedtime. And don't just limit these to baby's room-- lavender will help you feel more relaxed too.

Laundry: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the baby's laundry (including the crib sheets), not only for the aromatherapy benefits, but also for the soft, clean aroma it will add to your baby's things.

In the car: Parents are usually excellent multitaskers, but trying to calm a fussy baby while negotiating traffic is never easy. To help keep peace in the car, sprinkle a few drops of lavender onto the baby's car seat or a handkerchief or use a special car diffuser (which plugs into the lighter).

Diaper cream: Add a drop or two of lavender oil to diaper cream to help protect and soothe baby's bottom.

Note that essential oils are extremely concentrated. Follow usage directions carefully and keep them tightly closed and out of the reach of children.