BABIES
Babies are born with some natural immunity against infectious diseases because their mother's infection-preventing antibodies are passed to them through the umbilical cord. This immunity is only temporary and babies will develop their own immunity against many infectious diseases. Breastfed babies receive antibodies and enzymes in breast milk that help protect them from some infections and even some allergic conditions. However there are some common conditions many babies are likely to experience.
Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment to ease the pain for babies with those conditions, without causing harmful side effects.
Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment to ease the pain for babies with those conditions, without causing harmful side effects.
We can do so much to help babies with distressing symptoms from:
Reflux or Colic
Failure to thrive
Teething
Respiratory system: wheezing/coughing, ear, nose, throat infections
What Homeopathy can do for your baby
When a Homeopath prescribes for reflux, he looks at all the presenting symptoms of your precious baby. It is important to not only look at how they are presenting physically but also how the are coping emotionally. We take special interest in everything from how they want to be held to, what makes their pain better or worse and how they are crying or holding their little bodies when they are in pain. Once we have gathered all of this information, we are able to make an appropriate prescription and bring your baby back into balance and harmony.Nappy Rash
Most parents at some stage of parenthood are likely to be confronted with nappy rash. Nappy rash is most common in children between 9 and 12 months of age but newborns can get it as well. It is mainly caused by wetness from contact with urine and stool in a nappy. The moisture on the babies skin makes it harder for the baby’s skin to work as a barrier, which makes it more likely for the skin to become irritated. Barrier creams are very helpful.
A yeast infection, such as thrush or candida can occur when the baby is taking antibiotics. That's because the antibiotics kill the good bacteria that normally keep yeast in check. Thrush begins as tiny red spots which multiply and mass into a solid red blotch.
Teething
Teething is one of the great milestones of your baby’s development and memories of your baby's first toothy grin will be treasured forever. Some babies sail through the process and are showing off their first teeth before you know it, but for others it can be a more uncomfortable time, causing distress to both you and your baby.
The first symptoms usually begin before the first tooth appears. So its important to look out for some of the signs and symptoms that are common in teething babies: Restlessness, irritability and disturbed sleep patterns, sore, red gums, flushed cheeks, loss of appetite, loose stools. A slight rise in temperature can occur. Dribbling (which may cause a rash or sore, chapped skin on the chin) is very common as is the desire to chew anything they can lay their hands on.
Homeopathic treatment for teething: Natural Products like Weleda Teething Powder or Chamomila 30c are available from Healthfood Stores. Alternatively, a short Homeopathic consult may be needed to find an appropriate remedy for your baby.
Homeopathic remedies come in drops or small pillules which are very easy to administer and have a pleasant taste.
FEVER
The normal temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius. There is a fever when the body temperature is more than 38 degrees Celsius or higher.
Fever by itself does not tell you whether your child is seriously ill. When you measure a child’s temperature, you are trying to tell how hot they are inside the body. This is called the “core temperature”.
The brain helps to control the core temperature and to keep it around the normal level. A young baby (less than three months old) is not as good at controlling their temperature as an older child is.
Fevers are sometimes described as “mild”, or “high”. A mild fever usually means up to 38.5 degrees Celsius; a high fever means 39 degrees and above.
You can measure a child’s temperature when they feel hot if you want to. But, it is not always necessary to do this, especially if your child is well and happy.
The most common cause of a fever in a child is a viral or bacterial infection. The body’s natural reaction to infection with a virus or bacteria is to raise the temperature inside the body. This helps to fight the infection. Fever is very good thing and a fantastic mechanism to overcome the infection.
The brain helps to control the core temperature and to keep it around the normal level. A young baby (less than three months old) is not as good at controlling their temperature as an older child is.
Fevers are sometimes described as “mild”, or “high”. A mild fever usually means up to 38.5 degrees Celsius; a high fever means 39 degrees and above.
You can measure a child’s temperature when they feel hot if you want to. But, it is not always necessary to do this, especially if your child is well and happy.
The most common cause of a fever in a child is a viral or bacterial infection. The body’s natural reaction to infection with a virus or bacteria is to raise the temperature inside the body. This helps to fight the infection. Fever is very good thing and a fantastic mechanism to overcome the infection.
Will a fever harm my child?
On rare occaisions children can have a convulsion when the fever is very high. These may look very worrying, but even these febrile convulsions are very unlikely to cause long-term problems.
WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF AT HOME
Undress your child so that they are just wearing a single layer (for example a singlet and pants). Make sure the room is not too hot or too cold. These are the best and most comfortable ways to bring your child’s temperature down. Putting your child in the bath or shower to cool them is not recommended.
Your child is their own guide to the level of activity that you can allow. They may need extra rest or they may want to play. Encourage them to drink fluids and eat healthy small meals. If your child is happy, and they are not unwell, you do not need to do anything more. You do not need to treat the fever with a medicine.
Your child is their own guide to the level of activity that you can allow. They may need extra rest or they may want to play. Encourage them to drink fluids and eat healthy small meals. If your child is happy, and they are not unwell, you do not need to do anything more. You do not need to treat the fever with a medicine.
A note on young babies
Young babies (less than three months old) need a different and more cautious approach:
Babies are not very good at controlling their own body temperature, babies need to be kept warm, they can get too hot if they are wrapped in too many layers when they are in a warm place.
A good guide is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are comfortable wearing in the same environment.
Homeopathic treatment for fever
A moderate fever should not be interfered with as long as the child is still active and happy. Most of the time, a fever is a concomitant symptom of an illness, such as a infection, or simply teething. After considering all of the presenting symptoms, physical, mental and emotional, the Homeopath is able to prescribe an appropriate medicine to help the body’s immune response to fight the infection, or inflammation.SELF-HELP FOR PARENTS
Firstly, if you have an infant with reflux you are probably exhausted. There are homeopathic remedies that can support you during this difficult time. They will help you emotionally and also improve your energy levels.
Secondly, eating properly is very important. Not just if you are breastfeeding but to support your body while you weather this storm. Try to make nutritious high protein choices rather than sweet and carbohydrate ones. If you are not vegeterian, eat some red meat to increase your B vitamin intake as these vitamins support your nervous system in times of stress.
Thirdly, time out from the routine is also important to re-charge your batteries by having time to yourself. Arrange a regular slot where a relative or friend can look after your baby for a couple of hours. It is the regularity of this break that is important because you can plan around it and look forward to it.
Secondly, eating properly is very important. Not just if you are breastfeeding but to support your body while you weather this storm. Try to make nutritious high protein choices rather than sweet and carbohydrate ones. If you are not vegeterian, eat some red meat to increase your B vitamin intake as these vitamins support your nervous system in times of stress.
Thirdly, time out from the routine is also important to re-charge your batteries by having time to yourself. Arrange a regular slot where a relative or friend can look after your baby for a couple of hours. It is the regularity of this break that is important because you can plan around it and look forward to it.
Find out if Homeopathy can help your child.
You are welcome to schedule an appointment or ask Elisabeth a question.