Lavender, the Perfect Toddler Oil

You should always approach essential oils with caution, especially on the skin.  Generally one of the safest essential oils for toddlers and small children is: Lavender Oil.  The great thing about Lavender Oil is its relaxation qualities.  Start with a single drop and make sure there are no adverse affects to the child before trying to increase the amount.  I've known one person in my entire lifetime who had an allergic reaction to lavender; it is not very common, but is possible.

Ways to use Lavender Essential Oils for small children and toddlers:
1) In the bath tub.  Add a couple drops of Lavender Oil to the bath tub to help the toddler relax before bed or nap time.  It also works great in the process of a detox for a small child/toddler if they had a bad vaccination reaction.
2)  On the pillow.  Add a couple drops of Lavender Oil to the toddler's pillow to aid with a good night's sleep.  I do this myself also to help me sleep.
3) On clothing.  Rub a few drops of Lavender Oil to a toddler's shirt.  I've seen this calm a very active toddler I used to care for on a regular basis.  It was one of the few things that stopped him from being a "wild boy," but it took time for it to kick in, usually about 30 to 45 minutes.  Sometimes I would rub a few extra drops if it didn't seem to be effective enough.  The time varies from child to child.  You can also add a few drops in the washing machine to make clothing smell great.

Those are some of the main uses, but some people are a little more creative.  For a different 2 year old I used to care for from time to time, his parents would light a Lavender candle that I made using pure therapeutic-grade essential oils for a brief period of time in his room before he napped.  His was an autistic child, and the scent from my candles were one of the few things that helped him go to sleep with ease.  Of course with candles you have to make sure you keep an eye on them and they are out of possible reach of small children and NEVER left alone in a room with a small child, especially a toddler, potential fire or burn hazard.  That is common sense though...