Common Baby Ailments

Alternative medicine is becoming more and more popular. With individuals choosing natural remedies as a solution or cure for ailments, it is no surprise babies are being treated as well. These methods may be more gentle and have fewer side effects. Because natural remedies are not regulated by the government, talk to your pediatrician before trying any alternative approach. Listed below are a few basic baby ailments and alternative remedies:

Constipation : If your baby is over 6 months, constipation can often be cured by increasing her water and fiber intake; good sources are baby cereal with added fiber and mashed peas, broccoli, or beans. A teaspoon of caro syrup in four ounces of liquid may help as well.

Teething : Homeopathic remedies (extremely diluted forms of a substance) have no documented side effects and may be effective for even the youngest teethers. The remedy Camilla (diluted chamomile) can be given orally as directed several times daily.

Colic : Diluted chamomile or fennel tea relaxes a baby's intestines. To get the correct concentration, steep a bag for one minute in four ounces of warm water. Then give your baby a half-ounce or an ounce by bottle a few times a day, not exceeding four ounces in a 24-hour period. Water can be very filling. Be careful not to use in excess if your baby seems to have a decreased appetite. A very small number of babies may be allergic to chamomile tea, so it's important to talk to your doctor before trying this remedy. Symptoms of a reaction include rash, vomiting, or breathing difficulty.

Cradle cap : Olive oil is an ancient remedy used to help moisturize the scales that come with cradle cap. Rub one tablespoon into the head a half hour before bath time three times a week, gently comb out the flakes or rub them with a soft toothbrush, then rinse.

Tips for Healthy Newborns

• Dress the baby in natural organic cotton.
• Give your baby natural organic vitamins that are age and weight appropriate.
• Feed your infant organic food that you prepare or natural baby food from health food stores.
• The foods that you eat while breastfeeding may cause sensitivities in young infants. Be aware of your intake and how it may affect your young one. It takes about 6 hours from the time you eat to make it to breath milk. It can be easy to track food sensitivities and eliminate offending items from your diet. If breast feeding is not for you, try feeding your infant organic soy formulas.
• Foods or liquids that need heating should be done so in glass cookware as not to absorb unwanted chemicals into your food . Microwaving food “zaps” important nutrients, but the heat in the microwave enables the chemicals (phthalates) in the plastic to enter the milk and then enter the baby. These chemicals can cause sexual changes, particularly in male babies, and lead to breast development in girls at the very young age of six to eight years old.
• Foods that are irradiated have been exposed to radiation for the sterilization or preservation of food. Irradiation can cause a 20 to 80 percent decrease in a food’s nutrients. Irradiated beef can also contain an excessive amount of benzene—seven times the normal level. Benzene is a cause of leukemia in children.
• Cigarette smoke, tobacco, alcohol and harmful chemicals in the air should be avoided while breastfeeding
• Introduce vitamin supplements to your child when you feel they may be at an appropriate age. There are many infant and toddler vitamins designed for little ones that carry many of the daily recommended allowances of necessary vitamins.

Healthy Homes

• Use only natural food dyes.
• Try to avoid products that contain harmful chemicals. Decorate with cotton fabric and try to use only genuine hardwood furniture. Avoid plywood, because it contains formaldehyde.
• Monitor for mold.
• Try using non-allergenic paint if you are redecorating and remodeling babies rooms.
• Do not use any harmful pesticides around your home. There are many non toxic brands on the market that will be more beneficial.
• Cigarette smoke and harmful chemicals in the air should be avoided.
• Exposure to flea pesticides leads to a six-fold increase in your unborn child’s chance of developing some form of cancer (leukemia or lymphoma) by the age of six or seven years.
• Heavily polluted waters contain fish that carry high levels of chemicals, such as PCBs. Babies with elevated PCBs can be delayed developmentally so they talk and walk late, and may experience significant learning problems.
• Use only natural cleaning products for dishes, floors, laundry, disinfectants and deodorizers.
• Use no scented sheets in the dryer. Avoid aerosol or pine-smelling cleaning materials or anything that contains phenol.Use organic cotton or wool blankets rather than synthetic fibers.
• Drink and store purified water in glass containers.
• Avoid genetically-engineered foods.

NOTE: Decisions about medical care and treatment should be made in consultation with a health care provider, based on the condition and needs of each person. We recommend discussing this material with a health care provider before making any decisions about treatment or care.