Essential oils to use once baby is born

[The Benchwarmer]

Hello, Aroma-Folk!

I'm going to put together a few aroma oil and cream blends for a friend of mine who's about to have her first baby. The blends would be to use during labour, then after baby's born. I know what I want to use for the first blend (clary sage, for instance, to aid contractions and as a pain-killer), but what about when she's breast-feeding - it will all be whizzing round in the new mum's bloodstream, won't it?

Anyone got any suggestions for oils that wouldn't harm baby?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Simples xD]

In the birth blend you can add rose otto and jasmin to aid contractions and yes, it will enter the baby's bloodstream which makes my next point sound a bit daft, but then that is the state of current teaching on this subject!

You shouldn't really use them if breast-feeding. Having said that I would only ever use mandarin essential oil on babies and pregnant mum's anyway, though I have used other blends when really needed, ie chronic muscle pain etc.

Mandarin is lovely and safe for babies, but you will find that people advise against using oils at this stage.

Up to you really. Are you an aromatherapist? Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs...but if you aren't I wouldn't do it as you need to know percentage blends etc. If you are then use 0.5-1%. That ok?

Bit confusing really I suppose!

 

[RaeRae]

Hi Candie,

Thanks for that. Yes, I am a qualified aromatherapist, but I always thought it was a bit confusing allowing oils like clary sage for the labour, when it would still be in the mother's bloodstream while she's breastfeeding.

Thanks for your help, I shall buy some mandarin immediately, and use much smaller quantites than I usually would.

 

[uksawatdii]

Hiya. Had a little think about this today and thought to myself 'I wouldn't use clary sage'. I'll give an example (I have used it such a lot and it is a favourite).

I had a chap who is 6' 8" (okay he hung off the bed a little) and I used it in a blend for him. I always err on the low side of percentage blends. He was totally off his face after the treatment and I was concerned about him driving home. He was delighted I have to say (he was very stressed) and so was I. But seriously, I thought about him today and the use of clary sage and thought it might be best not passed onto little mite about to enter the world!

Mum would like it though!

 

[apoffdakAbold]

Hi there,
I am a massage doula and have worked with aroma oils only as an advanced student. I haven't yet qualified but i did my training along side a qualified midwife at a hospital near me. The hospital use essential oils and have a protocol which states that clary sage should only be used if the pregnancy has no complications, not if epidual is used not if any c section has been preformed before or is expected. I would also suggest mandarin as it is uplifting to the spirits and dosn't have an affect on the child. It will do a similar physical action as the clary sage but will not stupify the mother or child. You should also be very wary of using jasmine or rose if there are any complications. I would advice that you only use oil to massage and have the essential oils on a tissue which can be next to the mother and inhaled but can be removed if, as women do, there is an emotional or physical change which means the oils affects are not benifical.
I truely belive in the use of essential oils in pregnancy and labour but i think we all need to be very aware that physical change during this period is rapid and womens needs alter dramatically. There can be some major changes that complicate the use of the oils so always era on the side of caustion.
I would recommend that you use massage, positions and activity. Encorage the couple to have fun and keep using distractions like music yoga belly dancing breathing techniques visualisation and pattens of behaviour that help to re-enforce confidence.
After the birth if you use the tissues techniques, the essential oils can be removed. Massage is still possible with base oils, creams and can have a dramatic effect.
I wish you well and hope the birth is the joy and forfilment that the couple deserve.
Warm regards
Helen

 

[mentizmoskvii]

Thanks for all that info.

I personally think Clary Sage is fantastic for people who are really stressed and it does break that pattern, but there is no doubt that it is very powerful and stupeifying is about the best description for it!

I would imagine that it could lead to distress etc in the mum and the baby and you are right it would be very unpleasant and difficult to do anything about once the oil has been applied.