Baby Care
Allergies: In the first year or two allergies often show up. Babies are often allergic to cow's milk, house dust, or animal dander. Signs of an allergy may be perpetual cold, dark rings under the eyes, colic, diarrhea, or a skin rash, among others. Standard medical treatment is to remove the offending substance, which may or may not relieve the symptoms. A homeopathic treatment will not only relieve the symptoms but put the baby's system back into balance thereby overcoming the allergy. See a professional Homeopath; treatment of a baby's allergies requires constitutional treatment by a professional.
Colic: Usually caused by stressed or forced (rushed) feeding, your baby develops gas and bloating.
What to take: A small amount of Fennel, Dill, Chamomile or Catmint in a tincture of water to dilute the strength will calm the spasms and help reduce cramping. When the child’s abdomen is relieved from firm pressure and she doubles up in pain, the homeopathic remedy Colocynthis will provide relief. If warmth and gentle pressure on the abdomen provides relief, Magnesia phosphorica will overcome the distress. Bryonia and Chamomilla are homeopathic remedies to use with other symptoms of the colicky baby; consult a guidebook.
Colds: An infant hasn't yet learned to breathe through its mouth so a stuffy head cold leaves your baby uncomfortable, frustrated, and quite defenseless. Successful use of homeopathy requires that you, Dr. Mom, carefully observe your baby's behavior so you can select the most useful homeopathic remedy and adjust the dosage as the baby improves. Remember, homeopathy stimulates the immune system so that the body heals itself; the objective of homeopathic medicine is not to kill germs by keeping a particular concentration of a drug in the bloodstream.
What to take: For a cold that comes on suddenly after exposure to a draft or cold wind, give her Aconite (according to manufactures directions or your guidebook). Another cold that comes on suddenly--he goes to bed well and awakens flushed, hot skin, cold hands and feet, and restless, pupils are dilated--responds to Belladonna. The cold that sneaks upon him--quieter than usual and lethargic when put to bed, but in the morning has droopy eyes, low-grade fever, doesn't want anything to drink--would be helped by Gelsemium. These are but three of several homeopathic remedies for babies' colds. Consult a good guidebook. Also, feel your child's pulse when he is well so that you'll notice the differences when he is ill; this will help in selecting homeopathic remedies.
Diaper rash: Sore, red patches on the babies skin due to diaper irritation, wetness.
What to use: To soothe and heal the sore, inflamed areas, Marigold, Comfrey and Plantain herbs can be mixed with an infusion oil and rubbed on the baby's skin after each diaper change. Calendula, conveniently available as a gel in a tube, is a all-round healer of skin irritations as well.
Cautions and Commonsense: Use a wet, warm cloth to clean when changing diapers, check that any packaged wipes don't contain alcohol, which is very painful on a sore bottom.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea in an infant should be monitored carefully as he/she can become dehydrated, which is a serious condition.
What to take:Aconite--after exposure to cold wind; Arsenicum album--frequent dark, offensive stools, restless, thirst for small sips of water; Chamomile--greenish slimy stools during teething; Colocynthis--severe cramping, every bite of food is followed by rush of diarrhea; Podophyllin--water, undigested stools, forcibly expelled, immediately upon eating or drinking or being bathed, occurs in the morning most often. Consult a guidebook for a complete discussion, and call your physician if remedies don't alleviate the condition promptly.
Sleeping habits: If your baby is experiencing bouts of sleeplessness or irritability in their sleep, there are two excellent herbals to calm and soothe the child so they can return to sleep.
What to take: Roman Chamomile or Californian Poppy given as a weak infusion or tincture will help overcome overexcitement and relax your child so she can return to sleep.
Teething: Prevalent in children from 4 months of age and can be very painful.
What to take: Chamomilla 3x or mixed with infused oil and rubbed on the gums. Oil of Cloves can also be used on a swab and applied to the baby's gums
