Teething. Along with the infamous “terrible twos”, teething has got to be one of the most traumatizing “t” words for all mothers, especially those who currently have toddlers.
I will be honest: while I am writing an article about essential oils for teething babies, it has been a number of years since my youngest was teething. That being said, now that I’ve successfully made it through the teething phase with all four of my children (I made it… I can’t believe I made it… I never thought it would end!), I feel like I have so valuable insight to offer those of you who are moms-to-be or current moms searching for answers.
So here’s the question at hand:
What are the most effective essential oils for teething babies?
Thankfully, I have an answer. Three answers, to be exact. And here they are:
Clove
This is one of the most commonly referenced essential oils for teething babies. DoTERRA Clove Essential Oil has been used for years in dental preparations, candy, and gum for its flavour and ability to cleanse the mouth. Its main chemical component, eugenol, makes it a very stimulating and energizing essential oil that can be used as a warming massage oil. Clove also contains powerful antioxidant properties and supports cardiovascular health when taken internally.
DōTERRA has specifically mentioned Clove essential oil when discussing teething, and pretty much any article about using essential oils for teething babies will mention Clove oil at some point.
Now, a word of caution: because Clove oil is extremely powerful, it should not be used without be diluted. In the link above, dōTERRA mentions using fractionated coconut oil to dilute the concentration of Clove oil before applying it directly to your baby’s gums. There are some who argue that Clove oil should never be used internally and placed on in your baby’s mouth, regardless of whether it is diluted or not.
Ultimately, these are the two important facts to remember: Clove essential oil is not harmful for humans, whether they are adults or children. In saying that, we must also be cognizant of the fact that babies are tiny and therefore do not need the amount or the concentration of essential oils that an adult normally would.
My suggestion? Be wise. Remember that nobody on the internet—including me—has all the answers. So use discretion and do what makes you feel comfortable.
Lavender
If you are looking to use a less controversial essential oil for teething babies, you should definitely consider using doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil. In fact, I would highly, highly, highly recommend using dōTERRA’s Lavender Touch blend. Not only does it come pre-diluted with fractionated coconut oil, which is absolutely safe for children, but it also comes in an awesome little rollerball bottle that makes application super easy, whether you are in the car or the grocery store!
Why use Lavender? Well, Lavender is widely known for its calming and relaxing properties and ability to soothe occasional skin irritations. As I mentioned already, DōTERRA Lavender Touch combines Lavender essential oil with fractionated coconut oil to provide these same benefits to individuals who have delicate or sensitive skin (translation: you can use this for babies!!).
So you should definitely consider keeping Lavender Touch on hand when you need help calming a restless child! You can use it along your baby’s jawline in order to ease teething pain. (You can also apply it to the bottom of your baby’s feet if you want to ease fussiness, which is always useful!)
Roman Chamomile
While Roman Chamomile might not be the first oil that comes to mind when thinking about using essential oils for teething babies, it can be super useful. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil has distinctly anti-inflammatory effects, making it ideal for easing teething pains in children. It is also not quite as powerful as Clove essential oil (not in terms of concentration, since all dōTERRA essential oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, but in terms of taste and feeling with potential skin sensitivity), making Roman Chamomile an ideal alternative for those of you who prefer to err on the side of safety.
The recommended way to use Roman Chamomile essential oil for teething babies would be to combine it with a carrier oil (I personally prefer to use fractionated coconut oil) and then rub it gently on your baby’s jawline, cheeks, and chin. Roman Chamomile is also known to have a calming effect on the skin, mind, and body, so you can add a few drops of Roman Chamomile to a diffuser or apply it to the bottoms of the baby’s feed, just to get that added benefit of combatting any fussiness or restlessness.
BONUS: The Grouchy-Be-Gone Blend
3 drops of doTERRA Balance Essential Oil
3 drops of doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil
Combine these essential oils in your hand, along with some fractionated coconut oil. After mixing them together, apply them gently to the back of your baby’s neck and the insides of your baby’s wrists.
NOTE: If you can get your baby to inhale the mixture, great! If not, just inhale the smell of the mixture yourself. The chances are that you need the Grouchy-Be-Gone Blend more than your baby does! (Trust me, I’m not judging. I’ve been there too. Remember to just keep holding on!)
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