| Baby, it's warm outside. If you are pregnant or | | | | under the age of 3. |
| traveling with a newborn and / or a breast feeding | | | | Repellant for Fleas: Use Orange Oil |
| baby, please take the time to read this great | | | | Repellant for ticks and lice: Use Rose Geranium oil. |
| information about how to make your own, natural | | | | Many of these essential oils, although natural and |
| insecticide. Exposure to insect repellents has always | | | | herbal, are not designed to be ingested or used |
| been a source of concern with regard to adverse | | | | during the first trimester of pregnancy when all the |
| outcomes to the infant because they contain the | | | | organs of the fetus are forming. The compounds |
| chemicals DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or | | | | mentioned have not had any harmful effects noted in |
| permethrin which can cross the placenta and are | | | | pregnancy but we recommend that pregnant women |
| considered toxic in high doses. Generally 6 to 8 % of | | | | should still avoid insect infested areas and not use |
| the repellent is absorbed when applied topically to the | | | | these essential oils on a daily basis. |
| skin. | | | | If you must use a repellent with insecticide: |
| Mosquito Repellant Recipe | | | | |
| For a smaller batch use: | | | | 1. Never spray insect repellent in an enclosed area. |
| - 10-25 drops (total) of Essentail Oils | | | | This might cause breathing difficulties for your baby. |
| - 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Canola OilMix the esential oil(s) with | | | | 2. Never spray the repellent directly on the baby's |
| the canola oil. Store in a small preferably dark, spray | | | | face. Instead, first spray the repellent on your hands |
| bottle, away from direct heat or sunlight. | | | | and then apply to your baby's face and exposed skin. |
| Note that many Commercial available Essential oil | | | | 3. Before trying any insect repellent for babies, apply |
| repellants use a combination of several oils to ensure | | | | a small patch on the baby's arm to check if the |
| protection against more than one species of | | | | baby's skin is sensitive to it or not. |
| mosquito. | | | | 4. Do not use insect repellent near the baby's eyes, |
| For large amounts of mosquito repellant a good rule | | | | mouth and avoid applying the insect repellent on cuts. |
| of thumb is to mis the repellant so that it is 5-10% | | | | 5. Avoid, using insect repellent on the baby's hands as |
| Essential oil. To do this mix 1 part Essential oil to | | | | most babies have the habit of putting their hands |
| 10-20 parts carrier oil, like Canola oil. | | | | into their mouth. |
| To use: Rub or spray the natural insect repellant onto | | | | 6. Avoid applying the insect repellent on the baby's |
| the skin, taking care to avoid the sensitive eye area. | | | | skin more than once a day. |
| Some of the repellants will need to be re-applied | | | | 7. Once you and your baby are back inside the |
| after 1 hour, depending on body perspiration, or after | | | | house, wash off the insect repellent immediately with |
| swimming or exercise. | | | | unscented soap and water. |
| Note: In their report on, " The Best Insect | | | | 8. Never use insecticide on your breast or chest if |
| Repellants", Consumer Reports does not recommend | | | | you are breast feeding. |
| the use of Lemon Eucalyptus essentail oil on children | | | | |