Essential oils are beautiful. Lavender for sleep, chamomile for calm, eucalyptus for clear breathing—these little bottles have been used for centuries to comfort, cleanse, and soothe. I love them, and I use them personally.
But when it comes to babies, natural doesn’t always mean gentle.
Essential oils are powerful plant extracts. A single drop contains the concentrated essence of a whole flower, peel, or leaf. And while that’s wonderful in many contexts, it can be too much for delicate baby skin and tiny developing systems—especially when used undiluted, too early, or too often.
This post isn’t here to scare or shame anyone. It’s here to help you feel calm, informed, and confident about how and when to use essential oils around babies. We’ll look at:
- Which essential oils are considered safe (and when)
- Which ones are best avoided for now
- Simple, gentle ways to use oils safely if you choose to
We’ll also share our approach at Matylda Baby, and why in our BUM + BODY BALM, we use a tiny drop of Ylang Ylang, well within conservative safety guidance for babies.
Let’s dive in.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Babies?
The short answer? Some essential oils can be safe for babies—but only in the right form, at the right time, and in the right amount.
Essential oils are incredibly concentrated. A single drop of lavender oil, for example, contains the essence of dozens of flowers. That potency means they can soothe—but also irritate or overwhelm if used too early or too strongly, especially on baby skin or near developing lungs.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Under 3 months
It’s best to avoid essential oils altogether. Baby’s skin is highly absorbent and their systems are still adjusting to the outside world.
After 3 months
Certain oils may be used in very low concentrations and with proper dilution—usually in a carrier oil or balm.
Always dilute!
You should never apply essential oils directly to baby’s skin. Even a tiny amount should be diluted well below 1% (more on this later).
Less is always more
Babies don’t need daily essential oil exposure. Used thoughtfully and occasionally, they can be lovely—but aren’t necessary for everyday care.
Essential oils aren’t “bad.” But for babies, we approach them with care, not trendiness.
Can You Use Essential Oils in a House with a Baby?
Yes—you can use essential oils in your home with a baby. But how you use them makes all the difference.
Essential oils don’t have to be completely off-limits, but they should be treated with respect, especially when diffused into the air that your baby breathes.
What's Generally Safe
- Using a diffuser in a well-ventilated space, away from where baby sleeps or rests
- Diffusing gentle oils only (more on those in the next section)
- Short sessions (10–15 minutes), then airing out the room
What to Avoid
- Diffusing oils in small, enclosed rooms
- Running a diffuser while baby is sleeping nearby
- Using strong oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree near young babies—they may be too intense for developing lungs
A Gentle Rule of Thumb:
If you can smell the oils strongly, your baby is probably getting too much.
If you love using essential oils in your home (and many mums do), just keep baby in mind. Use lower amounts, ventilate well, and avoid diffusing around babies under 3 months old.
Are Any Essential Oils Safe to Diffuse Around Babies?
Some essential oils can be diffused around babies—if you choose carefully and use them gently.
Diffusing is one of the safest ways to introduce essential oils into a space, but even then, babies are more sensitive than we are. Their airways are narrower, their immune systems are still developing, and their tolerance for strong scents is much lower.
Essential Oils Commonly Considered Safer to Diffuse Around Babies (3+ months):
- Lavender — calming and well-tolerated for sleep or wind-down time
- Roman Chamomile — gentle, soothing, and skin-friendly
- Mandarin or Sweet Orange — light, uplifting, and not overpowering
- Frankincense — grounding and mild when used sparingly
Always use a high-quality, pure essential oil—not fragrance oils or synthetic blends.
Oils to Avoid Diffusing Around Babies:
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
These are too stimulating, irritating, or strong for babies and should be saved for adult use.
Safe Diffusing Tips:
- Keep the diffuser out of baby’s direct space—use it in an adjoining room if possible
- Run it for short bursts only (10–15 minutes)
- Always ventilate the space after
- Never use essential oils around newborns under 3 months
Used thoughtfully, diffusing a soft oil like lavender can be a lovely part of your evening rhythm. Just remember: less is more, and none is also okay.
Essential Oils to Avoid Completely in Baby Care
Some essential oils are just too strong, too stimulating, or too risky to use around babies—especially on their skin or in enclosed spaces.
Even in tiny amounts, these oils can cause irritation, breathing issues, or overwhelm a developing nervous system. While they might be lovely for adult use, they don’t belong in baby care routines.
❌ Essential Oils to Avoid for Babies
- Peppermint — can slow breathing and irritate skin
- Eucalyptus (especially E. globulus) — too strong for lungs under 2 years
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca) — linked to hormonal disruption and irritation
- Clove & Cinnamon — hot oils, likely to burn or sensitise skin
- Rosemary — stimulating to the nervous system
- Lemongrass — too harsh, can cause contact reactions
- Oregano, Thyme, Wintergreen — far too strong for little bodies
Even if a product says “baby-safe,” it’s worth checking the label—and steering clear of anything with these oils, especially in the first year.
A Note on Pre-Made Baby Products:
There are many balms, bath blends, and baby oils that include essential oils marketed as “gentle” but still contain some of the above. When in doubt, choose fragrance-free or herbal-infused products over essential oil blends.
When Not to Use Essential Oils at All
Even if you’re using baby-safe oils, there are moments when the best choice is to skip essential oils altogether—and let the skin (and body) rest.
🚫 Times to Avoid Essential Oils:
On broken, inflamed, or rashy skin
Oils can sting or worsen irritation, even if they’re normally well-tolerated. If your baby has nappy rash, eczema, or open spots, it’s best to keep things simple and essential oil–free.
During active illness
If your baby is fighting off a cold, has a fever, or is unsettled from teething or tummy trouble, stick with comfort, hydration, and gentle touch. Oils (especially diffused) can be too stimulating or interfere with breathing.
If your baby has allergies or sensitivities
Essential oils can be unpredictable for sensitive babies. Skip them entirely if you’re unsure—and patch test carefully if you ever try something new.
If you’re unsure or overwhelmed
Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t need it. There’s no gold star for using oils—simple, natural care is more than enough.
At Matylda Baby, we often say: less is more, and none is sometimes best.
Safe Ways to Use Essential Oils Around Babies:
If you do want to incorporate essential oils into your baby care routine, it’s absolutely possible—with a few gentle guidelines.
Used occasionally and with care, essential oils can be a lovely addition to bedtime routines or calming moments. The key is dilution, environment, and intention.
1. Massage Blends
A drop of Roman chamomile or lavender diluted into a carrier oil (like jojoba, calendula-infused oil, or tallow) can be used for a calming pre-bedtime baby massage.
Tip: Stick to 0.25%–0.5% dilution (see previous section), and avoid any broken or rashy skin.
2. In the Bath
Mix one drop of essential oil with a tablespoon of full-fat milk or carrier oil before adding it to the bathwater. Never drop oils directly into water—they won’t disperse and can irritate skin.
3. Diffuser in a Nearby Room
Use a diffuser in a large, well-ventilated space (not baby’s sleep zone) for short sessions—10–15 minutes is plenty. Choose a gentle oil like lavender or chamomile and always supervise.
4. Pre-Made, Low-Dose Products from Trusted Brands
If you do choose products with essential oils, look for transparent labelling, low concentrations, and clear safety guidance. This is one reason we take such care at Matylda Baby to include only the tiniest trace of Ylang Ylang in our BUM + BODY BALM.
Used well, essential oils can be beautiful. But they’re never necessary for good baby care—and the real magic is in the touch, the rhythm, the love—not the scent.
Why We Choose to Skip Them (Most of the Time)
At Matylda Baby, we love the idea of essential oils. They’re beautiful, natural, and full of tradition. But when it comes to newborn and baby skincare, we’ve chosen a different path—one that prioritises simplicity, purity, and gentleness above all.
Here’s why we leave them out (most of the time):
- Newborn skin is still developing. Even gentle essential oils can be too active, too soon.
- Many babies are extra sensitive. We wanted our products to be suitable even for those with eczema, allergies, or easily irritated skin.
- Fragrance isn’t necessary. A baby doesn’t need to smell like anything other than themselves—and parents often appreciate a break from scented everything.
- Herbs can do the job, naturally. Instead of essential oils, we use slow-infused herbs like calendula for calming and healing support.
That said, we do make an exception—a ting drop of Ylang Ylang in our BUM + BODY BALM. It’s included in trace amounts, well below safety limits, for its calming properties and gentle scent. It’s the softest whisper of an essential oil—just enough to support, never overwhelm.
We believe in being honest about what’s in our products, and even more honest about why it’s there.
Want to see what gentle, essential-oil-minimal skincare looks like?
Explore our BUM + BODY BALM — made with calendula, grass-fed tallow, and just the softest touch of Ylang Ylang.
Leave a comment