Can babies take epsom salt baths

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. It’s a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.
Despite its name, Epsom salt is a completely different compound than table salt. It was most likely termed “salt” because of its chemical structure.
It has an appearance similar to table salt and is often dissolved in baths, which is why you may also know it as “bath salt.” While it looks similar to table salt, its taste is distinctly different. Epsom salt is quite bitter and unpalatable.

Some people still consume it by dissolving the salt in water and drinking it. However, due to its taste, you probably don’t want to add it to food.

Possible Benefits Of Epsom Salt For Babies

The correct use of Epsom salt under expert guidance may provide the following benefits to the baby.
Skin exfoliation: Bathing with Epsom salt can exfoliate the skin, that is, remove the dead skin cells, and improve skin health . Removal of dead skin cells improves the skin’s texture and improves its appearance.
Anti-itch or antipruritic: Using Epsom salt compression during bath time is a common home remedy for alleviating itching due to sunburn, swimmer’s itch, bug bite, and skin rashes . Diaper rash, psoriasisi, and eczemai are other skin conditions where Epsom salt bath is sometimes recommended to relieve itching.
Muscle relaxation and pain relief: Epsom salt may promote blood flow by vasodilationi (widening of blood vessels), which helps relax the muscles. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesici properties that could reduce swelling and alleviate aches and cramps  However, more research is needed to ascertain these effects.
Sound sleep: Naturopathy practitioners use Epsom salt bath to relax the mind and the body and promote sleep. Magnesium in Epsom salt is believed to stimulate the production of melatonini, a sleep-inducing hormone. However, these effects are not clinically proven.
Most of these benefits are researched among adults, and it is not known if they apply to babies as well.

Are Epsom Salt Baths Safe For Kids?

It is absolutely safe to take an Epsom salt bath for toddlers, children, and adults.

When the salts are dissolved in bath water, they release magnesium and sulfate ions that are absorbed through the skin. More than half of all Americans have a magnesium deficiency, which is believed to be a factor in all kinds of health problems.

Sulfate also plays an important role in the way your body works: It has a role in the formation of brain tissue and joint proteins, and it can strengthen the walls of the digestive tract.

Taking an Epsom salt bath helps restore magnesium and sulfate in your system. Building healthy joints, improving brain activity, and reducing stress are key reasons why an Epsom salt bath for kids is a great idea.

How To Bathe Your Baby Safely With Epsom Salt?
Care should be taken while bathing a baby, and it applies to Epsom salt baths as well. They are usually considered safe if used as directed. The infographic below highlights some safety measures while bathing your baby.

How Much Epsom Salt For Kids?

You may be wondering how to make an Epsom salt bath for kids and how much salt to use. Here is a general guideline:

• For children under 60 lbs, add ½ to ¾ cup Epsom salt to warm bath water.
• For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1 cup salt to the bath.
• For 100 lbs and over, add 1 ½ to 2 cups to the bath.

If you want to make your own Epsom salt bath recipes, try adding Essential Oils! Lavender, orange, and eucalyptus are soothing scents that your kids will love in their special bath. Simply add about 10 drops of essential oil per 1 cup of Epsom salt.