I came across this wild idea today, whilst browsing through newborn photography work of a couple of awesome American and Australian photographers, and I realised it’s really popular outside the UK. Not only the photography itself, but the actual herbal baths for newborns as a way to combat certain illnesses, relieve colic etc., so I got reading! Here are some things I found out about the benefits of herbal baths for newborns.

Somehow I’ve never came across this phenomenon before, even though it’s as old as the world. It may have something to do with my own experience of experimenting with essential oils, whilst finishing an aroma therapy course years ago. I was told there are oils you should use sparingly on your skin, oils that should never be used directly on the skin, and oils that should be diluted quite heavily in order for them to be usable. The biggest no-goes when it comes to skin contact were oils of a citrus origin. When applied by a heavy handed person, those could cause serious burns. Of course those also smell delicious, and why would I listen to someone when I can just test those myself?!

After a day at college, I came back home via a local Holland and Barrett shop, and with ample supplies of different bottles of essential oils. I proceeded with my plan of having the most delicious bath, filled with scents of mandarine and lemon. I might or might not have used about 30% of each bottle. The soak was very aromatic.

Within the first 10 minutes I started to feel tingling. Kind of like one of those minty foot gels you use in the summer. “Ooo! It’s working!” I stayed immersed for over half an hour..

I’ve managed to achieve the “brits abroad” look fasten than if I was to sunbathe in Sahara. The burning sensation when I got out was excruciating. I looked like a lobster boiled in a bucket of lemons. Every delicate part of my skin was on fire. Underarms, behind my knees, my bikini zone, all burning. This was the end of my herbal bath experience.

You can imagine my fear, when I spotted the newborns immersed in herbal baths. Maybe if I, myself, stuck with herbs as opposed to things that were pretty much black listed as additives for any sort of bath, I wouldn’t feel this way. I have since done a bit of research on the subject of herbal baths for newborns and here are my finds:

• When done as prescribed, herbal baths for newborns are safe and can help solve issues such as coughs, colic, and irritability amongst many others
• They help to nourish and protect skin, and prevent dryness
• They help prevent newborn acne
• They relax and soothe baby
• They begin the healing process for the umbilical cord stump

If you decide to jump in the bath with your little one, there are tons of benefits for you, too!

• Herbal baths reduce swelling and discomfort
• Can prevent infection
• Provide pain relief for healing tissues (great for cesarean & vaginal sutures and vaginal tears
• Help muscles relax
• Relieve perineal burning and soreness
• Shrink and heal haemorrhoids

You can make your own herbal baths for newborns and mommas, here’s an example of a lovely mixture:

1 ounce lavender (relaxation, help with bruising)

1 ounce calendula (knits wounds, soothes inflammation, controls bleeding, heals damaged tissues, it’s antiseptic and antimicrobial)

1 ounce shephard’s purse (reduces bleeding and bruising)

1 ounce uva ursi (antiseptic, antimicrobial, and astringent)

1 ounce comfrey (knits wounds, speeds healing, astringent, anti-inflammatory and soothing)

1 cup himalayan pink salt (helpful in soothing, cleansing and healing of wounds)

1 large bulb fresh garlic (you won’t smell it!)

All all the herbs to 8 cups of water. Simmer the tea and let it set for some time before straining. Simmer the leaves again to get their full benefit. Peel and whiz the fresh garlic and add this, as well as the salt, to the mixture. Freeze the tea if you are planning to keep it for more than two days.

There are plenty of other recipes online, but I am having a wild guess here, you may not have that much time nowadays for brewing your own baths, so there are of course herbal baths for newborns available for order online: iHerb and Amazon have some worth checking out. Bulk Herb Store has got some amazing stuff if you don’t mind ordering from abroad.

Enjoy your bath, as I am sure your newborn will love it! x