Is It Safe To Use Essential Oils Around Infants?

Essential oils can hold a plethora of benefits for adults, but what about children? While older children may be able to reap the rewards of essential oils, young children and infants should wait a little while before being introduced into the world of essential oils. While essential oils are natural, they are strong and highly concentrated, which may potentially trigger allergic reactions, cause discomfort and or irritation to young children and their developing bodies.

Ideally, essential oils should not be introduced to children until they reach at least 3 years of age, and at this time they should be introduced one at a time cautiously starting with the more common balanced scents. Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, bergamot, or chamomile are good starting points for using aromatherapy around children once they get a little older. Once a child reaches around 6 years of age, you can then begin introducing a wider range of diffused oils into your home around your children, as their respiratory systems have developed to a point where the oils aren’t likely to harm or irritate them.