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Eucalyptus Oil for Babies - Is It Safe?
Essential oils have been used for treating various ailments for a long time now. They are used widely now as they possess various medicinal properties. One such essential oil, which is used as a home remedy for respiratory problems, is eucalyptus oil as it possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. For the various benefits it offers, you might be tempted to use it on your baby if he suffers from a cold or congestion, but should you use it on your baby? It is important that you understand whether it is safe for babies or not.
What Is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is obtained from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus oil is used in medicines, as a perfume, and also has some industrial uses too. It is a colourless liquid and has a sweet and strong woody smell. More than 700 species of eucalyptus are found in the world, of which only 500 odd species are used to produce the essential oil.
Are There Any Benefits of Using Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is used as a natural therapy to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, cold, and other respiratory diseases. It helps strengthen the immune system too. It improves respiratory circulation and has antioxidant properties. Cineole present in eucalyptus oil is an organic compound which offers a lot of benefits like lowering pain and inflammation.
Eucalyptus oil offers a cure for the following:
Cold and flu – The essential oil cleans the body of harmful microorganisms and the toxins that cause common cold and flu.
Hair damage – Eucalyptus oil is used with olive and coconut oil to moisturise the hair and treat dandruff and itchy scalp. Eucalyptus oil helps nourish the hair.
Allergies – Eucalyptus oil helps treat sinus and allergies and is also used as a room freshener. The anti-microbial properties of eucalyptus oil also help kills germs.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Babies?
A common query among parents is whether eucalyptus oil is safe for babies or not. While it is true that eucalyptus oil has many beneficial properties, using eucalyptus oil for a baby suffering from cold may be unsafe because of the following reasons:
Eucalyptus oil may have very high cineole content which can lead to breathing problems and nervous system issues in young children. The amount of cineole will depend on the chemotype or the species of the plant.
Even if the variety of essential oil you use does not have high cineole content, it may still have compounds that can harm children. These compounds may cause irritation or a burning sensation on your baby’s skin.
Eucalyptus oil, if ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and other side effects like breathing problems and wheezing. Its application may also lead to extreme cases of coma and seizures.
This oil can also trigger asthma attacks in some babies.
Using Eucalyptus Oil for a Cold
If you do want to use eucalyptus oil on a baby’s blocked nose, it is important to know the right and safe way of using it. Plus, you should also know what type of eucalyptus oil is safe for babies. You should avoid using Eucalyptus globulus for children, as it is not safe for kids under the age of 2. Eucalyptus radiata can be used, but even this should be used only after consulting with a paediatrician.
How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
You can use eucalyptus oil to soothe and open the airways of your baby’s nostrils if you follow a few precautions.
To use eucalyptus oil for a cold, put two drops of the oil on a tissue or cotton ball and keep it at a safe distance from your baby.
For a blocked nose, add three drops of oil to a bowl of boiling water and place it under the baby’s crib. The rising steam releases the essential oil and can provide comfort to your baby.
The oil should not be applied near the child’s mouth or nose as it may cause respiratory problems to him.
Although eucalyptus oil may be used with some precautions, it is still not recommended for babies because of its side effects. So here are some alternative methods you can try instead of using eucalyptus oil.
Alternatives to Eucalyptus Oil for Treating Baby’s Congestion
Instead of using any essential oil for treating congestion, you can follow the methods mentioned below to put your baby to ease. These include the following:
1. Nasal aspirator
A nasal aspirator can be used to clear mucus from the baby’s nose. It can also be used to clear the baby’s airways so that the child can breathe easily.
2. Hot water compress
Using a hot water compress can loosen the thick mucus blocking your baby’s nose, throat, or his chest. Take a small cotton cloth dipped in hot water and squeeze out the excess water. Apply the hot water compress on the affected area to treat congestion. Remember, that you should not put the hot cloth directly on your baby’s chest. Furthermore, the cloth should be warm or else your baby may get hurt.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Eucalyptus Oil on Your Baby
No doubt, eucalyptus oil offers a number of benefits, but it is not suitable for children, particularly for kids who are below 10 years of age. Using eucalyptus oil on babies can lead to side effects, which could range from mild to severe. If you do use eucalyptus oil on your baby, and he experiences any breathing difficulties after inhaling the oil, consult a doctor immediately. Some people think that using diluted eucalyptus oil won’t harm the baby, but that’s not correct. Even the diluted eucalyptus oil can harm the baby. Remember: eucalyptus oil is not safe for babies. Hence, you should refrain from using this oil for babies and toddlers.
Even small or diluted amounts of eucalyptus oil can lead to serious reactions in babies, and it is advisable to steer clear of it. Use one of the recommended alternative solutions to clear your baby’s congestion. Read more
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World Breastfeeding Week: My Experience With Breastfeeding
Hello, mommies out there!
I just want to share my experience with breastfeeding. Not to criticise any mom who are bottle feeding.
This amazing journey started two years ago. Being a first-time mom with many questions running in my mind some of which was whether I'm ready to take this new role? What if my supply is poor? What if my baby is not able to latch?
With many such questions finally, the day had arrived which was the best moment of my life. Feelings which I cannot express through words when I held my newborn and he just tried his best to feed. Thereafter, he couldn't latch properly. So he dropped more weight than expected.
From then onwards, I started to take a balanced diet with lots of water and food which would help in increasing my milk supply.
I tried to help my son to learn how to feed by trying different breastfeeding positions, and above all the key to successful breastfeeding is demand and supply formula.
Sometimes they feed every two hours, sometimes hourly, sometimes they just do comfort feeding. Eventually, I tried to understand my son's language, his hunger cues, and requirements. Many people advised to let the baby learn to separate nursing and sleep but they were nights when it was nearly impossible to do that. So what I learnt is to let it go. They'll learn at their own pace.
I always tried to be calm because stress further hampered my milk supply. So don't compare what other mothers are doing. Every mother and child are different and unique. There are no hard and fast rules in breastfeeding. So enjoy the journey with time. Today it may be easy, tomorrow it may be very hard, but everything is a phase and this shall too pass.
Every mother goes through this tough yet beautiful phase. She may go through a lot. Some of them like engorged breasts, blocked ducts, sore nipples for which the solution is to frequently feed with proper latching.
My all-time favourite phrase is breastfeeding on demand With time, my son and I have mastered this phase together and created a special bond between us. Now I'm blessed with a second son and still continuing my breastfeeding journey.
Happy breastfeeding week to all mothers! Cherish and relish these moments with your babies. In the blink of an eye, they all will be grown up. Always trust your body and baby. Keep up the positive attitude. If you face any challenges, always seek professional help.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Manali K Mehta has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
32 mins ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hua white discharge normal h hona
Manali K Mehta
Mom of 2 children
32 mins ago
A. hi parent
I suggest you please consult with your gynecologist because physical examination is important for proper diagnosis and treatment
please maintain hygiene properly with Babyhug instant sanitizer
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
30 mins ago
Q. My baby is 2 months old now. She is suffering with very bad constipation. for a week she is not passing stool.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
29 mins ago
A. That’s completely only not worry about it even if your child doesn’t part with motion for another total 10 days basically then also it wouldn’t be a problem still if you see the child is discounted then in that case you should consult your doctor for some laxative
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 2 months
28 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert Sudden Back ache and abdominal side aches.. 8 th month first week.. What to do
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
17 mins ago
A. hi
you must visit your gynecologist
it is important
please don't sit or stand for long period
take support while sitting and place pillow between your legs while sleeping
prefer to sleep on your left side
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
22 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert .
hai mam , my wife 8 month 2days pregnancy, she have more leg pain'
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
10 mins ago
A. Sometimes leg pain can be commonly seen but if it is increasing or your wife is also facing any kind of a discharge your stomach hardness or pain coming and going then it can sometimes be assigned for an early labour or could be a false labour so better to check with your gynaecologist
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
19 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert Ma'am I am two months pregnant now....can I continue breastfeeding my 17 month old baby ?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
18 mins ago
A. No I’m afraid you’ll have to quit breastfeeding your child because it is not advisable to feed your child when you’re pregnant with the second child is not healthy for you neither for your coming child so you’ll have to skip and quit onto your breastfeeding
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
7 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert is continuous urinary irritation is normal in summer during pregnency
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
6 mins ago
A. in this case it is important to rule out urinary tract infection for which urine report as well as urine culture needs to be done.
in the report if it is found that there is positive urine culture then dr gives antibiotics for around 14 days after which culture report is repeated to see if the infecdtion is gone.
kindly take plenty of fluids to drink to and maintain hygiene of the urinary area and contact your doctor for relevant examination and investigation
at the earliest d
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