Do you use essential oils at home with your children? They are a great way to help calm your child, prepare them for bed, help with their concentration or even with colds. But it can be difficult to know which oils are safe to use. I've asked a lot of different people for help when using essential oils with my children but I've often received mixed messages and some terrible over the counter advice, so I want to share with you what sources I've actually found useful!

There really aren't a bunch of essential oils that are 'kid safe', it depends on the child's age and how you use them. Before I use any essential oils around Otto (14 months) I check in my essential oils for children bible The Complete Book of Essential Oils for Mama and Baby: Safe and Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth, and Children. This really is a complete guide with a list of oils that are safe to use at different ages and lots of recipes/blends and suggested uses. If it's not listed here I don't use it! It also includes how to use the oils and dilutions required. This article Safe Essential Oils Use with Babies and Children is by the same author and is a great starter article. 

The tough thing about using essential oils is that they can be expensive especially if you want to make or experiment with various blends. I also don't want twenty or so oil bottles sitting around that might only be used once or twice a year. Which I why I've always found it easier to buy some blends rather than make them at home.

I can't tell you how excited I was to find the Plant Therapy Kidsafe Range (some available on Amazon), a range designed specificially for children. This isn't sponsored and I have no affiliation with Plant Therapy. The Kidsafe range is safe to use with children over the age of two years (always follow instructions). I use these blends in the diffuser and we use the pre-diluted roll-on bottles. So far every blend we've used has been spot on. We currently have the Organic Germ Destroyer and Sniffle Stopper on high rotation.

With my older children I always ask for their consent before using essential oils on their bodies or in their spaces. I invite them to make their own blends. Otis (7yrs) has made his own room spray. I also help them, especially Caspar (11yrs), use his essential oil roll-ons independently. I want for him to be in touch with his body, recognise when he needs some help and to appy the roll-on. It can also be very soothing for me to apply the roll-on for him at bed or when he needs help relaxing.

If you are interested in using essential oils with children you might also like my previous article DIY Homemade, All Natural Sleep Balm for Children. If you are looking for adult recommendations, I personally love and use Remedies to Roll (in the UK).

If you use essential oils with children including babies or toddlers, I'd love to hear your recommendations.