Home Remedies for Babies
Home remedies for babies are extremely important for young parents who have an infant that occasionally doesn’t feel well. The savings in both money and time when you can treat your baby for a simple condition at home rather than going to a doctor’s office can actually be helpful to the child as well. He or she isn’t exposed to other children’s germs and doesn’t have to fuss for hours in a waiting room.
The three most common ailments babies suffer from are colic, teething and gas or indigestion. Fortunately, there are reliable home remedies for each of these.
Home Remedies for Babies with Colic
No one knows for sure what actually causes colic, the hours long fussing and crying spells many babies have between two weeks and about six months of age. In fact, different babies may have colic for different reasons, so finding the best remedy is largely a matter of trial and error.
Many children respond to a soothing, repetitive vibration that will calm them and lull them to sleep. This is why some parents put their colicky baby in car seat and drive around town until the baby drops off to sleep. You can also try putting the baby in an infant swing or rocking him or her steadily in a rocking chair.
If rocking or movement doesn’t work, the colic may be a result of indigestion. One home remedy suggests switching the baby to soy formula for a few weeks, since regular infant formula contains milk proteins that are difficult to digest. If you are breast feeding, try giving up dairy foods for a few weeks so that you aren’t passing cow’s milk protein in to the baby in your breast milk.
The intestinal spasms that often cause colic can be soothed with some warm tea made with either chamomile or basil. Peppermint tea is another popular home remedy for colic. Steep any one of these teas, then feed to your baby while still warm in a bottle. If your baby won’t take a bottle, you can drink any of these teas yourself and pass it on to your baby when nursing.
Home Remedies for Teething
There are very few home remedies for teething pain beyond simply freezing something pleasant for your baby to chew on. Try putting a banana in the refrigerator and then giving peeled chunks to your baby so that he or she can gum on it. The rubbing of the gums and the cold sensation will help numb the pain and bring down the swelling in gums where teeth are about to erupt.
You can also put a damp washcloth in the freezer in a plastic baggie, then take it out and give to your child to chew and suck on. The cool water and soft terry cloth will bring down the inflammation of the gums and ease the pain. You can also chill a metal spoon in the freezer for the same effect.
Home Remedies for Babies with Gas
If your baby is crying and fussing and doesn’t want to eat, gas could be the problem. Watch to see if your baby draws his or her legs up toward the chest; this is often an indication of a gassy stomach. Burping your baby isn’t always enough to get rid of the gas.
One of the best home remedies for babies with gas is adding Asafetida (available from herbalists) in water and feeding to your baby a few sips at a time. You can put it in a bottle and let him or her suck a teaspoon or so every hour for a few hours if you like. The Asafetida reduces stomach acid and breaks up the gas bubbles.
Boiling cumin seeds in two cups of water will also produce a watery solution that neutralizes acid in the stomach. Boil the cumen for about five minutes, then let the mixture cool before giving about a teaspoon to your baby every few hours. This home remedy for gas should take effect within the first few doses.
Finally, consider rubbing your baby’s tummy in a gentle, circular motion with warm olive oil. This helps break up gas bubbles and is very soothing for the baby, much like a massage would be for an adult.
With these home remedies for babies on hand, most young parents will be able take care of typical infant discomforts without repeated trips to the pediatrician.