With a new baby comes a wonderful new set of experiences for the entire family. One of these is finding a new sleep pattern that works for mom and baby. That isn’t always easy, but it’s a natural part of the parenting process! Today, the WholeNest family shares just a few ways that aromatherapy can be a part of this transition. 

Relieve Pain

Scent is a powerful thing. Some scents can excite you while others invoke calm. According to Women’s Health Magazine, lavender is great for relieving anxiety and promoting restful sleep. Lavender also has a calming effect, which makes it the perfect addition to WholeNest’s Honey Lavender Magic First Aid Ointment, which can relieve perineal tears, meaning you have one less discomfort to worry about as you try and settle down for a night of rest.

Wake Up, Get Moving

While it’s true that the smell of coffee can help you wake up and get motivated for the day, it’s best to leave it as a scent lingering in the air rather than a staple in those first few sleepless months of parenthood. 

Caffeine is safe in small doses for most healthy babies, according to the Le Leche League. However, if you’re nursing, you’ll want to watch your intake, especially if you prefer stronger coffee-based drinks.  

Instead of relying solely on caffeine, consider incorporating natural alternatives like essential oils to help perk up your senses and boost your energy in a gentler way. Aromatherapy with invigorating essential oils such as peppermint, grapefruit, or eucalyptus can provide a refreshing and revitalizing experience. Go Away Cold! contains eucalyptus essential oil, making it an invigorating way to open up nasal passageways while fighting off colds.

Use a drop in the morning when you’re ready to get moving and plan to grab the stroller for a quick walk. A stroll through the neighborhood shortly after you get out of bed can also help keep your circadian rhythm on target so that you and your little one can enjoy a more restful night's sleep.

Get Ready To Wind Down

Certain essential oils possess calming properties that can help you unwind and prepare for a restful night's sleep. Lavender oil, known for its relaxing scent, has been shown to promote tranquility and ease stress, making it an ideal choice to incorporate into your bedtime routine. 

Chamomile oil is another wonderful option, with its gentle aroma that promotes relaxation and helps to quiet the mind. Additionally, ylang-ylang oil has a sweet and floral scent that can alleviate tension and create a serene atmosphere conducive to peaceful slumber. 

Whichever essential oils you choose, make them a part of your nightly routine. This is especially important when you work from home and are tempted to log into the office when you should be resting.

Ways To Use Aromatherapy

There are many different ways that you can use aromatherapy and essential oils to promote emotional and physical well-being and relaxation. A few ways that you can integrate essential oils and your life are to:

• Use a diffuser. Diffusers make it easy to use just a drop or two of your favorite scent to fill the room.

• Add oil to your bath. If you’re not yet healed from delivery, talk with your doctor about which oils might be safe for your body. Ask your child’s pediatrician about adding essential oil to their bath.

• Make pillow spray. An inexpensive spray bottle filled with water and a drop or two of essential oil makes a perfect pillow spritzer. Go Away Cold! is a great ready-made spray you can use on your pillow to help you sleep better, since it helps relieve nasal congestion and fights off colds. You can also add a few drops to your oil diffuser. Best of all, it’s safe for kids as well as pregnant and postpartum moms!

• Make aromatherapy candles. N Essentials notes that essential oils can help you create luxurious and elegant candles. But more than that, the oils you drop into your homemade candles can also work to diffuse your preferred scent throughout your home. Bonus tip: if you don’t want to make your own candles, buy jar candles, put them on the “warm” burner of your stovetop, and drop your essential oils directly into the wax and stir.

Those first few weeks and months with a baby are days that you will cherish for a lifetime. Although you’ll face challenges, such as a lack of sleep, there are ways that you can promote a sense of serenity, and aromatherapy can help. From using peppermint to wake you up for a walk to adding a few drops of lavender to a pillow spray to help you sleep better when you work from home. Today’s tips can help you establish a sweet sleep routine with your brand-new bundle of joy. 

Blog Post by:  Katherine Williams