Getting your baby to sleep through the night can be tricky; but every new and experienced parent wants to know, What is the safest and healthiest way to get their newborn to sleep? Many parents are turning to herbal remedies to help restless newborns sleep through the night.
Lavender
Lavender is widely known for its sedative effect. For centuries, parents in Europe have been using lavender in pillows to help ease a child off to sleep. Adding lavender to the child's bathwater can help relax the system into a peaceful night's sleep. While most essential oils are not appropriate for direct contact, this is not the case with lavender. Lavender essential oil can be applied directly to the skin, added to bathwater, or dripped on pillows to create a great aromatherapy experience. Lavender is now a common ingredient in many children's bath and laundry products.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another great herb to use to relax restless children, but it also works well to relieve colic and diaper rash. Most people recognize chamomile as a tea, but chamomile can be used as a salve, vapor or balm. However, with chamomile, moderation is essential. Since chamomile is an anti-spasmodic, excessive amounts of tea would not be wise to give to a child. It would be better to simply use the chamomile leaves as a potpourri or fragrance in the child's room to help bring sleep, or use a very mild balm on the child's skin. Chamomile, like lavender, can be found at your local health food store.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is known for its sedative effect, and is usually used in combination with Valerian root. A member of the mint family, it is another herb that can also help relieve colic in infants, much like chamomile. While lemon balm is used mostly in tea and cooking, the leaves can be used in a potpourri to infuse the room with a soft fragrance that will help baby get to sleep--and stay asleep.
Lemon balm can be found at your local health food store, but be sure what you are purchasing is lemon balm, and not lemon oil. If you see lemon balm essential oil, chances are that it is oil from lemons and not the leaves of the lemon balm tree. Be sure to double check with the shop owner to ensure that the herbs you are buying are the appropriate ones and not a different herb, which may have different--and possibly harmful effects--on you and your baby. However, combining these three herbs can guarantee a potpourri fragrance that will relax your baby into a solid night's sleep.
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