Aromatherapy can prove to be very beneficial to the baby. Though massage is the most common form of giving aromatherapy treatment to the child, there are many ways of giving aromatherapy treatment as well. Just be careful to keep the amount of aromatherapy oil very low as a small quantity of aromatherapy oil is enough for the baby.

As a guide use
Two drops of aromatherapy oil in 4–6 fl oz (100ml. to 150ml.) of a carrier oil or two or four drops of aromatherapy oil in a baby bath. The most suitable oils for your baby are the most gentle ones:

• Chamomile.
• Lavender.
• Rose.
• Neroli.
• Sandalwood.
• Tangerine.

The best carrier oil for children is sweet almond oil, as it has a softening, lubricating effect on the skin and is better than the mineral oil that most commercial baby products are based on.

Baby bath
Most babies enjoy being immersed in water and you can add soothing aromatherapy oils to their baths to create a lovely smell, and soothe their sensitive skins. Camomile, rose or lavender oils are best for this and are healthier than proprietary baby bubble baths.

The nursery
Try using any one of the following oils in a vaporizer in your baby’s room. These oils help to purify the air and keep germs at bay as well as being pleasant and soothing.

• Lavender.
• Frankincence.
• Sandalwood.
• Neroli.
• Camomile.
• Eucalyptus.
• Geranium.

If your baby has been suffering from any sleeping disorder, then try popping a little ball of cotton wool to which you have added a few drops of camomile oil, far inside the baby’s pillow case. The baby will inhale its soothing vapors while sleeping.

Teething
When the baby is teething, camomile oil helps to calm and soothe inflamed gums. Dilute two drops in a little warm water and rub over the affected area three times a day.

Cradle cap
This flaky, red, itchy condition often affects small babies. Aromatherapy can heal this.

Mix up a blend of one drop of camomile oil and one drop of rose oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of sweet almond oil. Gently rub over the cradle cap three times a day.

You can add two drops of camomile oil to your baby’s shampoo, but be careful to rinse his hair thoroughly after shampooing. All shampoos can irritate a sensitive skin.

Colds and blocked noses
When the baby has a stuffy nose or a cold, use any of the following oils in a vaporizer. They eliminate germs and help ease breathing.

• Lavender.
• Eucalyptus.
• Thyme.
• Lemon.
• Pine.
• Rosemary.

Source: health.indianetzone.com