Essential Oil Safety and Toxicity for Babies
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, Poison Control, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect essential oil safety and toxicity for babies, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Many essential oils are dangerous for babies and young children. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils can slow breathing in infants. Ingestion of even small amounts can cause seizures, liver damage, and respiratory failure. Undiluted oils on skin can cause chemical burns. Diffusing essential oils in a nursery is not recommended for babies under 6 months, and many oils should be avoided until age 2 or older.
Key takeaways
- Many essential oils are dangerous for babies and young children. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils can slow breathing in infants. Ingestion of even small amounts can cause seizures, liver damage, and respiratory failure. Undiluted oils on skin can cause chemical burns. Diffusing essential oils in a nursery is not recommended for babies under 6 months, and many oils should be avoided until age 2 or older.
- Usually normal when: You briefly diffused lavender oil in a well-ventilated room while your older baby was awake and they showed no symptoms
- Call your doctor if: Your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, Poison Control, NIH guidelines, many essential oils are dangerous for babies and young children. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils can slow breathing in infants. Ingestion of even small amounts can cause seizures, liver damage, and respiratory failure. Undiluted oils on skin can cause chemical burns. Diffusing essential oils in a nursery is not recommended for babies under 6 months, and many oils should be avoided until age 2 or older. At 0-6 months, young babies are extremely sensitive to essential oils. Their skin is thin and absorbs chemicals more rapidly, their airways are narrow and easily irritated, and their livers cannot metabolize these compounds efficiently. Do not diffuse essential oils in a room where a baby under 6 months sleeps. Do not apply any essential oils to a young baby's skin, even diluted. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and camphor can cause respiratory depression. It is generally considered normal when you briefly diffused lavender oil in a well-ventilated room while your older baby was awake and they showed no symptoms. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- Your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, is wheezing, or has slowed breathing after exposure to essential oils (especially eucalyptus, peppermint, or camphor)
- Undiluted essential oil was applied to your baby's skin and there is a chemical burn, blistering, or significant redness
By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Young babies are extremely sensitive to essential oils. Their skin is thin and absorbs chemicals more rapidly, their airways are narrow and easily irritated, and their livers cannot metabolize these compounds efficiently. Do not diffuse essential oils in a room where a baby under 6 months sleeps. Do not apply any essential oils to a young baby's skin, even diluted. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and camphor can cause respiratory depression.
6-24 months
Older babies and toddlers are at risk for accidental ingestion as they grab and mouth small bottles. Even 2-3 mL of certain essential oils can be life-threatening for a toddler. If diffusing, use in a well-ventilated room for short periods and choose only oils considered safer for this age group (lavender in very diluted form). Never apply undiluted oils to skin. Keep all bottles locked away.
2-5 years
Some essential oils become safer at this age when properly diluted and used topically (0.5-1% dilution). However, eucalyptus and peppermint remain unsafe for children under 6 and 10 years respectively according to safety guidelines. Ingestion remains a serious poisoning risk. Never refer to essential oils as "medicine" to children.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed essential oil safety and toxicity for babies and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby was exposed to a diffuser running essential oils and developed a cough, watery eyes, or nasal irritation.
- Mention if you applied a product containing essential oils to your baby's skin and notice redness or irritation.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- You briefly diffused lavender oil in a well-ventilated room while your older baby was awake and they showed no symptoms
- A tiny amount of diluted (carrier oil) lavender touched your toddler's foot and there is no skin reaction
- Your baby was exposed to a diffuser running essential oils and developed a cough, watery eyes, or nasal irritation
- You applied a product containing essential oils to your baby's skin and notice redness or irritation
- You want guidance on which products are safe to use around your baby
- Your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, is wheezing, or has slowed breathing after exposure to essential oils (especially eucalyptus, peppermint, or camphor)
- Undiluted essential oil was applied to your baby's skin and there is a chemical burn, blistering, or significant redness
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice essential oil safety and toxicity for babies — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that you briefly diffused lavender oil in a well-ventilated room while your older baby was awake and they showed no symptoms — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-6 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures.
Related Resources
Breathing Difficulty Triage
Assess breathing concerns and know when to seek emergency care.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is essential oil safety and toxicity for babies normal?
When should I call the doctor about essential oil safety and toxicity for babies?
When is essential oil safety and toxicity for babies normal?
What causes essential oil safety and toxicity for babies?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about essential oil safety and toxicity for babies?
Is essential oil safety and toxicity for babies normal at 0-6 months?
Is essential oil safety and toxicity for babies normal at 6-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for essential oil safety and toxicity for babies?
Does essential oil safety and toxicity for babies go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Essential Oils and Children. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [2]National Capital Poison Center. Are Essential Oils Safe? Poison Control
- [3]National Library of Medicine. Pediatric Exposures to Essential Oils. Clinical Toxicology, 2022. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Essential Oil Safety and Toxicity for Babies.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed essential oil safety and toxicity for babies and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby was exposed to a diffuser running essential oils and developed a cough, watery eyes, or nasal irritation.
- Mention if you applied a product containing essential oils to your baby's skin and notice redness or irritation.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby was exposed to a diffuser running essential oils and developed a cough, watery eyes, or nasal irritation
- You applied a product containing essential oils to your baby's skin and notice redness or irritation
- You want guidance on which products are safe to use around your baby
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the ER if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, is wheezing, or has slowed breathing after exposure to essential oils (especially eucalyptus, peppermint, or camphor)
- Undiluted essential oil was applied to your baby's skin and there is a chemical burn, blistering, or significant redness
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of essential oil safety and toxicity for babies are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby or toddler ingested any amount of essential oil — call poison control (1-800-222-1222) immediately and go to the er if the child shows drowsiness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, or seizures.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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