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.

Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salts are made up of the compound magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is important for keeping enzyme activity regular in your body, and it helps your bodily functions to run smoothly. Epsom salt bath benefits include:

• Promoting relaxation and sleep
• Helping strengthen the immune system
• Easing sore muscles and helping nerves function properly
• Promoting concentration
• Flushing toxins out of the system
• Helping relieve cold and flu symptoms
• Promoting digestion and easing constipation

I have personally seen Epsom salt bath benefits with my 4 year old daughter.  Ever since she was a baby she has been overly hyper, always on the go and never wanting to calm down at bedtime. Just trying to keep up with her high-speed pace has caused many new gray hairs on top of my head.

After reading about how the magnesium in Epsom salt can help calm the body, I decided to give Epsom salt baths a try.  I started off dissolving 1 cup of Epsom salt in warm bath water and having my daughter take at least a 20 minute bath.

At first there was no major difference that I could tell.  But after a week I started noticing that she seemed calmer and displayed much better behavior after her baths.

Now, if she starts to get a little unruly or whiny, I ask her if she wants to take a bath (which she always wants to do).  As soon as she starts soaking, she is calmed down and life becomes much easier again.  This also works well to help prepare for the transition to bedtime.

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 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.