Teething is one of the most painful and frustrating moments a baby will undergo. This can cause irritability in infants, tears, and drooling, making it a difficult time for both the caretaker and the baby (1). Thus, it’s only natural for us to find a remedy for this. One effective way to provide comfort and soothe teething problems in babies is by using essential oils (2). Yes, there are certain essential oils for teething that we can use to alleviate the discomfort these babies undergo. So, if you have a wailing baby at home, here are some potent oils that you can buy right now:
What Oils Can Be Used for Teething
Essential Oils to Sooth Teething Pain
Chamomile is one of the most commonly used oil for teething as stated by healthline (3). This mild oil can be applied to your baby’s skin to calm them. Because it’s mild, it’s safe and does not cause irritation. It can even reduce inflammation, definitely an added bonus. To use this oil, you can massage a small amount of it on your baby’s jaw. This will not only calm your baby but will also relieve some tension in the swollen gums
This is another mild and calming oil as Lavender has a lot of curative and therapeutic properties such as inducing relaxation, treating burns, infections, insect bites, and spasm (4). For teething babies, its wonderful smell helps soothe any frustrated baby. And, as teething can sap out the energy in your baby, this can help your baby sleep and rest better as lavender is a natural and potent plant that promotes drowsiness. You can add a drop of oil on your baby’s bathwater. This can help your baby unwind and get ready for sleep
Clove is considered as a valuable spice because of its food preservative capability and medicinal properties (5). This oil can also relieve pain because of its soothing components. It’s also an excellent antiseptic. However, you must use this with caution as it may be more damaging than therapeutic for your baby. Only apply a small amount of the oil topically and remember to dilute it before using. Also, take note that this oil should only be used for babies who are age two years and above
Carrier Oils
- Olive Oil – full of antioxidants that help soothe a hurting skin;it also has a lot of health benefits when consumed (6) and applied topically.
- Coconut Oil – has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties; currently, its popularity is increasing because of its perceived health benefits (7).
- Sweet Almond Oil – great for the skin as it’s rich in vitamin E; it also has anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects (8). Check out the range of carrier oils from Rocky Mountain Oils here
How and When to Diffuse
Aside from topically using essential oils, you can also diffuse them. Diffusing is a great method when you want to cover a large area in your house with the beneficial aroma these oils have. In fact, as science had stated, diffusing helps battle unwanted germs, alleviate insomnia, and boost concentration (9). However, when diffusing, make sure to have proper ventilation. Also, don’t diffuse for too long as this may be too overwhelming for you and your baby and always keep your baby directly away from the mist of the diffuser as this might be too strong for him or her.
How and Where to Apply Essential Oils Safely for Teething
As stated above, you can topically apply the oils in your baby’s skin. However, make sure that the application is only done on safe areas. This means that you should stay away from dangerous areas like the eyes, mouth, nose, and the like. You can, however, place the oils on the temples, feet, and jaw. When applying the oils, you can use them as a massage oil, use them for bath water, or use them for your diffuser (10). Please have a look at my article on how to use essential oils safely on children.
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Sources for this Article Include:
- Infant and Toddler Health, Mayo Clinic. Link here.
- How to Use Essential Oils to Soothe Teething Pain, The Million Dollar Mama. Link here.
- Emmar Harper, 5 Essential Oils to Use for Teething. 2015 Jul. Link here.
- Peir Hossein Koulivandm Marym Khaleghi Ghadiri, Ali Gorji, Lavender and the Nervous System. 2013 Mar. PMID 23573142
- Diego Francisco Cortes-Rojas, Claudia Regina Fernanded de Souza, Wanderley Pereira Oliveira, Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum): a precious spice. 2014 Feb. PMID: 25182278
- Buckland G, Gonzalez CA, The role of olive oil in disease prevention: a focus on the recent epidemiological evidence from cohort studies and dietary intervention trials. 2015 Apr. PMID: 26148926
- Wallace TC, Health Effects of Coconut Oil – A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. 2019 Feb. PMID: 30395784
- Ahmad Z, The uses and properties of almond oil. 2010 Feb. PMID: 20129403
- Leigh Winters, How Long Should You Really Be Diffusing Essential Oils? Link here.
- Amanda Barrell, Are essential oils safe for babies? 2018 Jul. Link here.
1 Comment
Thank you for this great article. My baby cries in pain a lot for teething. Will definitely be looking to buy the oils that will relieve teething pain.