Taking care of the body and health is fundamental to ensure the well-being of moms and babies both during pregnancy and postpartum. But medicines are not always the best options, especially as medicines may have contraindications and end up doing some harm.
An alternative in these cases is aromatherapy, a technique based on the use of well-concentrated natural substances extracted from leaves, flowers and even seeds of herbs. These natural substances are known as essential oils that, in addition to providing the aroma to the plant, carry vitamins, antibiotics and various chemical components that can increase immunity, provide euphoria, enthusiasm and even reduce anxiety, insomnia, tension and stress.
• Oils can be used both in the home or baby's room environment, and also to massage it. Aromatherapy provides a feeling of warmth and affection for the baby. It is an excellent alternative for mom who wants to avoid medication when their children have constipation, difficulty sleeping, low immunity among others ?, says aromatherapist Daiana Petry.
When to use aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be used for many different purposes, according to each person's characteristics. And there is no contraindication regarding age, as long as you are careful about the number of drops that will be used in the environment or at the time of massage. For up to 1 year, the aromatherapist's advice is to use only two drops of essential oil.
Among its main benefits are: combating stretch marks that arise in pregnancy; at birth or shortly after the birth of the child, to provide a welcoming environment; or even to take care of problems that arise after birth, such as diaper rash.
Aromatherapy oils and their functions
- Rosehip vegetable oil: for baby's diaper rash and mommy's stretch mark reduction.
- Essential oils of sweet orange, lavender or lemon grass: to flavor the environment.
- 1 drop of sweet orange essential oil and 1 drop of basil essential oil diluted in 10ml of rosehip vegetable oil: to massage the baby's belly in cases of constipation.
- Sweet Orange: Increases immunity, regulates digestion, calms and provides joy.
- Lemon grass: balances sleep.
- Basil: Does it regulate digestion?
If you want to use other essential oils, the recommendation of the aromatherapist is to seek a specialist to have the correct guidance on the use and the amount of drops. Some essential oils should not be used with children, such as peppermint, cinnamon, cloves and ginger.
How to massage the baby
The aromatherapist teaches the correct way to do the massage:
- Drip the essential oil droplets into the vegetable oil and mix well.
- Drip a few drops of the oil that has been prepared on your hands and rub it on the baby's belly, making clockwise movements to assist with bowel movement.
- The massage can last from 5 to 10 minutes, it is not necessary to extend the recommended time.
The essential oils penetrate the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Afterwards, they are gradually released into the dermis and, consequently, into the bloodstream, reaching the whole body ?, concludes the aromatherapist.
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