When you welcome a little one into your life, you may sometimes feel a little helpless when faced with small problems they may encounter, as very few solutions are suitable for babies from birth. But have you considered hydrosols?
Hydrosols are so gentle that some are safe to use from birth and can be used to care for a baby's body naturally.
An article by Marion Pezard, naturopath and producer of the Healthyliving Podcast
What is a hydrosol?
A hydrosol is an aqueous base containing light, volatile aromatic molecules. It is obtained when essential oil is extracted: the most volatile aromatic molecules evaporate with the steam and then condense to form the hydrosol. The heavier molecules remain in the essential oil.
Always ensure that any hydrosol or floral water you come across is pure, natural and food-grade (which is the case for Bioflore hydrosols 😉).
When and how to use it?
For very young children, you can use a hydrosol in bath water, on a cotton pad for local application on a nappy, or as a spray for its olfactory benefits. It can also be used in food, in water, a bottle, a meal (e.g. compote or purée) or by the teaspoon, depending on your baby's needs and age. If ingested, stick to a maximum of 2 to 3 teaspoons per day.
Once the bottles have been opened, it is best to store them in a cool place.
Which hydrosols are suitable for my baby?
Expert Danièle Festy* recommends five hydrosols that can be used on your little ones from birth: lavender, cornflower, witch hazel, orange blossom and Damask rose hydrosols.
My favourite among these is orange blossom (neroli), which has very soothing properties and a comforting scent. I recommend adding a tablespoon to bath water, but it can also be sprayed in the baby's sleeping area to help them fall asleep. It can also be useful when digestive difficulties (colic, reflux) are observed, which are often linked to the nervous and digestive systems, which are closely connected and both immature at this age. You can offer a few drops on your finger, for example, if you are breastfeeding, or in the bottle if you are bottle-feeding your baby.
If you don't like the smell, Damask rose hydrosol is a good substitute.
Fine lavender hydrosol is very useful for skin problems, minor scratches or mosquito bites. If you are breastfeeding, don't forget that breast milk can also be very effective when used in conjunction with fine lavender hydrosol, for example to treat cradle cap or infant acne.
You can then turn to witch hazel hydrosol for wounds, irritations or itchy skin. For example, when chickenpox occurs years later, a bath with witch hazel hydrosol and oatmeal placed in a clean sock or tea bag will provide immediate relief.
It will also be very useful for treating any perineal scars the mother may have after giving birth.
After the baby is 3 months old, you can expand their range of hydrosols by adding, for example, peppermint for its digestive aid and refreshing effect, or lemon balm to help soothe colic or nervousness.
One last hydrosol that can be very useful when your baby's first teeth start to appear is German chamomile (= Matricaria chamomilla). Keep it cool and soak the corner of a nappy in it, then give it to your child to chew on to soothe their sore gums.
*"Soigner ses enfants avec les huiles essentielles", Danièle Festy and Anne Dufour, Leduc Editions
My recipe for orange blossom liniment
I love hydrosols so much, especially orange blossom hydrosol, that I've come up with a little recipe for a homemade liniment that's both soothing and smells wonderful!
Here is the recipe for the hydrosol liniment
Ingredients:
- 150g orange blossom hydrosol
- 150g lime water, ideally filtered
- 300g organic extra virgin olive oil
- 15g organic beeswax pellets
Step-by-step:
- Heat the olive oil in a bain-marie.
- Add the beeswax so that it melts into the olive oil.
- Remove the oil mixture from the heat and add the lime water and hydrosol.
- Blend with a hand blender until the desired texture is achieved.
- Ideally, store in a pump bottle.
You now have a few natural tools to help you care for your little one. It's up to you!
