Newborn babies

[Peggy Belknap]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to use calendula on newborns? I am wanting to make up some blends in preperation for my little baby due to arrive in about 6 weeks. I thought calendula would be great for nappy rash and other skin conditions such as cradle cap but I have read in one book not to use it until after 6 months ( although I have seen calendula based products for newborns in shops)?

Also, if anyone has any tried and tested blends for lotions, oils, creams, anything (!) please let me know, I would be very grateful as I am starting to get that 'argh my baby's coming any day and I'm no where near ready' feeling[&:]

Thank you!

 

[sanjit_life]

I have not used calendula on babies but I can strongly recommend 1% chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) in Grapeseed as a tummy massage at nappy change time – it really sorts out colic. On my third baby, I used it for 5 days and the colic went. But it started to come back on the 7th day so 2 more tummy rub days and it went completely….if only I had known that for my first two!
Good old Vaseline for protection from nappy rash and for cradle cap – plain sunflower oil which is gently scrapped off using some cardboard (top of a cereal packet will do) after 20 minutes. Check this out with your health visitor.

Best wishes

 

[Janet712inEngland]

Hi,

Thanks for the really helpful advice, think I will pre make a 1% chamomile blend. This combined with massage seems to be a winning combination for colic.

If anyone knows if it's ok to use calendula please let me know as I would imagine it would be really good for babys skin.

Thanks again mysterious me

 

[linkexchangepaczka2]

Hi Missy,

New borns are extremely sensitive and 200% percent prone to allergies. I'd advice you not to use anything till the first 10-15 days or so. You can then make a very mild blend and try it on your baby.

 

[Xylon]

Thank you both for your advice.
If I have any success using aromatherapy with the baby I will post on here later on

 

[Tryemily Again]

Sure missy.. I'll wait for your post. If possible do send me a pm if you get success in your therapy. Best of Luck for it.

 

[CakeSterz.]

the liver is of a new born is not fully developed, (this is whay so many infants get jaundice in the first 2 weeks). The liver is only close to full funtioning at about 6 months. The liver is one of the main organs involved in breaking down essential oils, so it is best not to use essential oils directly on the skinuntil the liver can cope with it, I'd actually recommend wait until 1yr, but so many people say it harmless...... Using them in a burner can be ok, but usually more appreciated by the mother than the baby

Even Baby Panadol, designed for babies, they say can only be used from 1 month old, because the liver cannot cope before that. And you also have to figure in if the baby is early, the liver is even less developed.

Essential oils are powerful chemicals, just because they are natural does not means they are safe.

A calendula infused oil in jojoba would be OK, in anything else you've got to be a bit careful about worrying about nut oils etc that's up to you. Jojoba is a wax, not an oil, almost the same composition as the skin's own sebum, perobably the best thing you can use. You might be able to find a CO2 extract of calendula in jojoba, I'd dilute that and use it very happily, just be careful as calendula can stain, and the COI1 version is usually quite a strong yellow

 

[ransomedbyfire]

Well I agree with you cola.. but I guess a mother can very well guess after the first 15 days or maybe a month about her babies sensitiveness..