Bringing a new baby
home is one of the most exciting moments of a parent's life. It can also
be one of the scariest. Sure, mom and dad are eager to begin their new
life with baby, but at the same time the unknown can be so daunting. And
many new parents are surprised at how exhausted they find themselves during
the first 3 months of parenthood.
One of the keys to making this new life transition smoother is to prepare
in advance as much as possible. This includes:
- Stocking up on food and other household necessities; prepare casseroles,
soups and other quick meals and freeze them until ready to bake.
- Establishing strong boundaries with friends and family; outline
dates and times you will welcome visitors so you won't be overwhelmed
by constant guests.
- Talking to your birth advisor, doula, or your own mother for advice
and tips to help you adjust to parenthood.
While your focus will obviously be on your new baby, it is ever so
important that you commit to taking care of yourself, too. You, daddy
and baby will all benefit. Find time to relax and sleep when baby sleeps.
Nurture your body and mind--eat well, pamper yourself with a relaxing
massage, read, meditate and exercise. And enjoy the natural benefits
of aromatherapy with these easy aromatic recipes you can create right
at home.
Note: Since babies are extremely sensitive and may react
dramatically to the direct application or diffusion of essential oils,
I recommend you do not use any essential oils on children less than
2 years old. Instead, use the infusion of herbs or hydrosols.
Blends for Baby
Baby's "Sweet Dreams" Bath
Prepare an herbal tea with either chamomile, lavender, or orange
blossom. Allow it to infuse for 10 minutes, then pour the tea into baby's
warm bath water. Its light and soothing aroma will help calm fussy babies.
Natural Diaper Rash Ointment
In a 2-oz bottle, mix the following carrier oils. This natural blend
will soothe the skin, heal and calm any inflammations. Apply directly
to affected area.
- 1-oz Calendula
- 1/2-oz Avocado
- 1/2-oz Sweet Almond
Blends for the New Mom
If you are breastfeeding, you should avoid using concentrated aromatherapy
products. Essential oils can penetrate the different layers of the skin
and go into your bloodstream. But you can get around this rule by adding
a few drops of essential oils into a spray bottle filled with water
(6 to 10 drops per 2-oz) and misting around yourself. Shake the blend
often and vigorously before use in order to disperse the aromatic molecules.
It will be very gentle and you will still enjoy and benefit from aromatherapy.
Energy Boost
- 4 drops Orange
- 4 drops Rosemary
Relaxation Time
- 5 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile
Uplifting Your Spirit/Postpartum Blend
- 4 drops Orange
- 3 drops Grapefruit
- 3 drops Ylang Ylang
Enhancing Self-Love
- 3 drops Rose otto or Jasmine otto
Blends for the New Daddy
You are not forgotten! Here are three aromatic blends that will
help new dads cope with the stress of becoming a new parent, can boost
your energy, and calm your fears of this new life.
In a 10-ml bottle, pour the essential oils and then add an organic vegetable
oil to fill.
Coping with New Responsibilities
- 6 drops Rosemary
- 4 drops Cypress
- 5 drops Cedarwood
Anoint the sacrum and solar plexus. Pour a few drops into the palm
of your hands and inhale deeply.
Energy Boost
- 6 drops Peppermint
- 6 drops Orange
- 4 drops Rosemary
Anoint the sacrum and solar plexus. Pour a few drops into the palm
of your hands and inhale deeply.
Easing Fears
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile
- 4 drops Lavender
Anoint the solar plexus. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands
and inhale deeply.
To purchase or learn more about the essential oils in these blends,
visit http://www.aromalchemy.com/aromatherapy/ouroils.html.
We have added several new essential oils to our collection!
In Good Health,
Françoise Rapp
www.aromalchemy.com
(c) Françoise Rapp, 2001.
This article was originally published by Françoise Rapp in "The Arom'Alchemy
Newsletter," a weekly ezine dedicated to healthy mind, body and soul through
the use of aromatherapy. Join her for many aromatic moments to come by
subscribing at http://www.aromalchemy.com/education.
