Having a child is one of the greatest gifts there is, which is why you'll do anything to make sure that you don't endanger either your pregnancy or your baby when he/she arrives.
When it comes to the relationship between humidifiers, essential oil diffusers, pregnancy, and newborns, there's still a great deal of research to be done. However, scientists know enough to have deemed them safe, with certain caveats surrounding when you should use them.
With that in mind, let's walk you through what you need to know so that you don't endanger either yourself or your baby, starting with humidifiers.
Are Humidifiers Safe for Pregnant Women?
If you're set to carry a child over the colder, drier winter months, then a humidifier can be an excellent device to help you through your pregnancy. Depending on where you live, humidity levels can drop to as low as 10% drying out your skin and rendering you more susceptible to coughs and colds.
With a humidifier, not only can you relieve the symptoms associated with dry skin, but you can also alleviate flu and cold symptoms at a time when many over-the-counter remedies are out of the question. Humidifiers can render up to 86% of airborne germs powerless by increasing the weight of airborne particles, which is why they give such excellent protection against colds, coughs, and cases of flu.
Locking in moisture to your skin will also be beneficial as your belly expands, helping your skin retain its elasticity.
Are Humidifiers Safe for Babies?
For your newborn baby, you may be wondering if the risk level changes when using a humidifier, given how fragile and sensitive they are in their first 12 months. However, the benefits that apply to you during your pregnancy extend to your new arrival.
Babies have soft, fragile skin, which means they often develop dry, flaky skin when confronted with drier environments such as outside the home or inside during winter when heating systems dry out the air. Using a humidifier helps to moisturize their skin, alleviating some of the most common skin complaints in early development.
On a similar note, sensitivity to infection while your baby develops a robust immune system over their first six months. Dry air dries out nasal passages vital to mucus production, which forms a layer of natural protection against exterior pathogens. Even if your breastfeeding and passing on critical antibodies, it makes sense to one step further and use a humidifier. This will help keep your baby's sensitive nasal passages naturally moist, protecting them from nasty airborne germs.
Are Essential Oil Diffusers Safe for Pregnant Women?
When it comes to diffusers, and more specifically, essential oils, things are a little less clear cut. While research is lacking, there is broad agreement within the scientific community that contact with essential oils should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy (first 13 weeks). This is because there is a small risk that essential oils could cause uterine contractions that may adversely affect the fetus.
However, once you've crossed into the second and third trimesters, certain essential oils can provide relief from many pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, swollen ankles, and stretch marks.
Here is the full list of essential oils approved for use during pregnancy by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA):
- Benzoin,
- Bergamot,
- Black pepper,
- Chamomile,
- Cypress,
- Eucalyptus,
- Frankincense,
- Geranium,
- Ginger,
- Grapefruit,
- Juniper,
- Lavender,
- Lemon (not to be mistaken for Lemongrass Oil),
- Mandarin,
- Marjoram (sweet),
- Neroli,
- Petitgrain,
- Rose,
- Sandalwood,
- Orange (sweet),
- Tea tree,
- Ylang ylang
However, due to the way that certain essential oils interact with the body, NAHA recommends against using the following essential oils during both the pregnancy and during the breastfeeding period:
- Aniseed
- Basil
- Birch
- Camphor
- Hyssop
- Mugwort
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal
- Sage
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thuja
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
They also recommend avoiding the following essential oils associated with uterine contractions and possible miscarriage during pregnancy, while further research is carried out:
- Bay
- Cinnamon
- Citronella
- Cumin
- Lemongrass
- Lemon verbena
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Tagetes
- Thyme
During pregnancy, lavender oil is likely to be your essential oil of choice for its stress and pain relief properties. Sweet orange oil is also perfect for combatting nausea and morning sickness.
Are Essential Oil Diffusers Safe for Babies?
As stated above, babies are extremely sensitive in their first few months. Therefore, it's not recommended to diffuse any essential oils until they are at least three months old, with a preference for at least six months.
Once they are old enough, some essential oils have had a beneficial effect without irritating their incredibly sensitive skin. For example, eucalyptus essential oil is a natural expectorant that can help unclog your baby's respiratory congestion. This makes eucalyptus a favorite during the cold winter months when colds and coughs are more prevalent.
Of course, lavender essential oil is well-known for its ability to help soothe a baby to sleep. But recent studies have shown that it's also an effective treatment for infantile colic. Finally, tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and disinfectant agent. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to an unscented oil can help with diaper rash and fungal infections. Tea tree is a more potent oil that can be harsh on the skin, so it should be avoided on babies younger than six months old and carefully patch-tested on older infants.
For the same reason, for remaining essential oils, it's necessary to wait until a baby is at least six months old before diffusing them. Ideally, consult with your doctor before using a specific oil, since it may cause irritating rashes on your baby's skin.
Buy Your Humidifiers and Diffusers for Your Pregnancy Today
Whether you're due to give birth in the next few months, or your baby is over halfway to their first birthday, humidifiers and diffusers can help with a wide range of ailments. In particular, humidifiers present no harm to pregnant women and babies and, therefore, there's no reason why you shouldn't be using them to avoid illness and keep skin hydrated.
The best part is that you can buy a humidifier that can turn into an essential oil diffuser for later on in your pregnancy or your baby's life. We have a vast range to choose from, and we offer worldwide shipping with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
But hurry, they're only available while stocks last!