Essential oils......using them for a stressed child, can I and which ones ?

[nutcracker]

Have started a thread in behaviour and development about Dd2 who is 6 and rather stressed out.

There is a pattern to it and we usually just ride it out but I would like to help her relax more if I can.

Would any oils help and if so which ones and whats the best thing to do with them.

I understand that lavender and camomile would be good. I've used that combo with a baby before so as long as its properly mixed in a carrier oil, it should be fine for your dd.

Thankyou

Whats the best thing to do with it, just put in on some cloth close by her bed or something ??

She looks so stressed out, even when she is asleep.

Rose is good too.

You can use it in the bath, either add a few drops neat or mix a few drops into a carrier oil and rub it onto her legs before she gets into the bath - which is apparently a gentler and more effective way for children than just putting it straight into the water.

Ahh right thanks WWB, sounds good.

lavender is fab, really aids in sleep (if thats a prob of course) too a wee bit on a hanky tied out of reach.

nice warm bath with lavender in it

mug of hot chocolate in bed while mum reads a story (well chocolate should be an essential oil)

does she do plenty of excercise?

Does she like being touched (some kids do but others hate anything physical) -if shes OK with it how about a simple massage with lavender oil in a carrier oil after a bath.

(DD loves having suncream put on as she says its like a massage! Just long strokes down the arms and legs and across the shoulders)

How about putting some lavender or camomile, or both, mixed in a carrier oil in her bath (make sure it's well mixed before she climbs in). You can buy a carrier oil that doubles as bubbles. She might also quite enjoy any of the citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit) and peppermint is a good one too. I suppose if she's having trouble getting to sleep you might prefer the relaxing ones.
You could also out a few drops on a hanky and put that in her pillowcase and refresh it every couple of days.
Another option may be to buy a burner for her room and put a couple of drops on to heat through (or a couple of drops in a small amount of water) with the door shut half an hour to an hour before bedtime (depending on the size of her room). I'm not sure if I'd be happy to leave the candle going all night (depends on location), but you can also get an electric version of this which I would leave on all night (slight noise rather like a fan shushing away).
Try someone like Butterbur & Sage for the oils, bubble bath and burners/electric burners.
I assume you've already tried talking through her day with her before it's time to sleep.
Would it may be help for her to have her own section/colour on the calendar so she know exactly what's coming up for her in the future.
I once also saw Supernanny using a bean bag with a child who used to get stressed out, teaching the child to go there whenever he/she needed some time out. Maybe you could also create a quiet corner for her somewhere in the house with some books and a comfy chair / beanbag.
Or how about trying some relaxation and/or visualisation techniques help with or without some music. Or even stories on tape.
Finally would a homeopath maybe help out? That and bach flower remedies (rescue remedy - though notsure on it's application with children) have also helped me in the past.

She does plenty of exercise if you count running around the garden after school yes.

Am currently investigating swimming lessons but Dd2 gets cold very easily, blue lips and dithering within minutes of getting in the pool so am not sure about this.

Not sure she'd stand for a massage, but I can try. She loves having her hair messed with and that relaxes her alot so I have been doing that after her bath and before bed.

Will get some lavander first i think and give thata whirl.

Thanks

We do talk through her day yep, and make sure she knows whats coming up at school and home. She just seems to run out of steam near the end of every term and every little thing gets to her.

Nutty - my dd is suffering from stress at the mom - she's not sleeping well, can't relax, been having migraines. I've bought some Sleep Balm from Boots - their own brand. It's got Geranium, Rose and something else in it and you rub it on the temples and pulse points. It seems to be helping - not sure if it's really the balm or just because she's feeling that she's doing something and is more in control IYKWIM. Cost about £4 for a little pot.

Nutcracker, Sorry to hear that your dd2 is stressed. I recently done a short baby massage (for dd) course and started doing it for ds (6yr old) and it has helped him sleep brilliantly. If your ds2 doesn't like massage, take it step by step. You know the usual - dark room, soft music, minimum talking (that bit ds is working on ) and just start with her hands with some organic sunflower oil/sweet almond oil. I only started given him nightly massages because

1. I didn't want him to feel left out and
2. because at night he was anxious/wound up (despite having a story) and needed to relax. Good Luck Nutcracker

Just wanted to add that an aromatherapist once told me that a good way to disperse oils in the bath is to mix them with a little (half an egg cup) of full fat milk. Might be worth a try

I have massaged my dc since they were born and change the oils I use depending on how they are coping.
Dd1 is about to leave her (very much loved) 1st primary school at age 6. For the last fortnight I have been using rose and roman chamomile ( along with lavender and tea tree which I use on a weekly basis to realx her and deal with infection acquired at school). It does seem to have helped - she is talking abou ther fears about moving school and leaving her friends, and is coping OK with a big event.
Must add that my dh, who is a GP, is very much in favour of how we are helping her with this.
We massage, because we have done this since she was a baby (she has a brither of 4 and a sister of 2 as well, I have massaged them alll since birth). But a cloth by her bed, or maybe a head massage before you wash her hair (massage at night, wash in the morning), oor in her bath, or on he rpillow, might help. I have found massage after bath so helpful as a time to chat to dd1 about what is happening, at theh same time as she has the oils, has reallly helped,
Hope your dd2 will relax more soon,
(((hugs))) to you both