Epsom salt has been used since centuries to relieve sore muscles and joint pains. Also known as Magnesium Sulphate, Epsom salt is safe for both adults and children. Epsom salt is generally added in warm water that you are taking bath with. When sprinkled into warm bath water, it acts a soothing balm and restores body’s energy levels. Epsom salt is known to treat children suffering from autism.
Read More: Epsom Salt Bath for Haemorrhoids: Is it Effective?
Benefits of Epsom Salt Bath for Your Toddler
As a parent, you always strive for different ways to take care of your toddler’s health. One such wonderful way to keep your child refreshed and re-energized is make him have a hot water bath with Epsom salt. Listed below are some benefits of Epsom salt bath for your toddler.
1} Provides relief from stress
Your toddler will sleep better and stay more active if he is relaxed and free from stress. One of the best remedies to make your little toddler stress-free is to give him a hot Epsom salt water bath. The magnesium present in Epsom salt relaxes the muscles thereby inducing a good relaxed sleep in your toddler.
2} Reduces inflammation and pain
The magnesium content in Epsom salt helps reduce inflammation and joint main in toddlers. Toddlers hurt during playing can experience great relief from Epsom salt water bath.
3} Eliminates toxins from the body
Toddlers are constantly exposed to the external environment and pick up harmful toxins that are difficult to get rid of. Epsom salt is rich in sulphate that helps draw out impurities and eliminates toxins from your toddler’s body. Making your toddler soak in warm water with 2 cups Epsom salt for minimum of 15 minutes is known to have therapeutic benefits.
4} Fights cold and cough
Epsom salt is an age old remedy to treat infections like cold and flu. If your toddler is constantly suffering from cold and flu, giving him a hot water bath with Epsom salt is a good remedy. Epsom salt triggers the process of vasodilatation which increases white blood cells in the body. This helps your toddler fight illness and boosts immunity.
5} Gives softer skin
Epsom salt is known to have exfoliating and cleansing properties that remove all the impurities of the skin and make it glow. Giving your toddler a bath with Epsom salt will give him clean, clear, and soft skin.
How to give your toddler an Epsom Salt Bath?
Materials Required
- Epsom salt or magnesium sulphate
- Baking soda (for unfiltered water)
- Hot tub of water
- Essential oils (optional)
- Coconut oil and olive oil (optional)
Procedure to give your toddler an Epsom salt water bath
1} Add the appropriate dosage of Epsom salt to warm water in a tub. For young toddlers under 60lbs add about ½ cup of Epsom salt to a tub full of warm water.
2} The next step before putting your toddler into the tub, is to add baking soda. Baking soda helps remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the water.
3} Add coconut oil, olive oil and other essential oils
Coconut oil, olive oil, and essential oils are added along with Epsom salt in hot water, in order to moisturise your toddler’s skin. Epsom salt alone can drain the moisture and dry out your little one’ skin. These essential oils bind to your baby’s skin and keeps it moisturised during the bath.
4} Soak your little one in the tub that contains Epsom salt, and all the other above mentioned ingredients. Take care not to leave your little one for more than 15 minutes in Epsom salt water.
Precautions while using Epsom Salt during Bath
The magnesium sulphate present in Epsom salt is known to be a natural laxative, which when swallowed can increase bowel movement and cause motion irregularities in your toddler. Make sure while giving your toddler a bath, he does not swallow or ingest Epsom salt.
The recommended dosage is 2 cups of Epsom salt in one full bath tub of water. Do not soak your toddler for more than 30 minutes in Epsom salt water. The right limit would be to allow your toddler to soak for about 15 minutes to reap its health benefits. Toddlers having open wounds or cuts should not bathe in Epsom salt water, as it can further aggravate the wounds and delay its healing.
To conclude, Epsom salt does have benefits on toddlers, but make sure you take precautions while using it on your little one. It is strictly advised against toddlers suffering from skin conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Toddlers suffering from allergies are also not recommended to take bath in Epsom salt water. The younger your toddler, the lesser Epsom salt you should use. If you haven’t started using Epsom salt yet, then it’s time to bring some home and use it for your toddler as well.
References
https://www.livestrong.com/article/121914-benefits-epsom-salt-baths/
https://babydotdot.com/epsom-salt-bath-for-kids/
