Parenthood is an incredible journey, but it has its share of worries and challenges, especially when it comes to the health and well-being of our little ones. Homeopathy is a form of holistic medicine that’s gentle, simple and traditionally effective, especially for health concerns experienced during infancy. It’s currently used by over 300 million people in at least 70 countries, with more than 10 million Canadian users and growing. So let’s dive deeper into what homeopathy is and how it can help your baby!
A holistic healing tradition
Homeopathy is a centuries-old practice based on the principle of like cures like. It uses specific plants, animals and minerals that help stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities. Select ingredients are diluted in alcohol or distilled water until all that’s left is the “essence” of the ingredient. This process is believed to enhance healing properties without the side effects associated with higher doses, ideal for delicate little systems!
Colic, fever and teething… oh my!
As parents, we’re often faced with infant health issues that can leave us feeling helpless. Colic, fever and teething are among the top health challenges babies go through, and they are certainly not afraid to express their discomfort loud and clear, day and night, for what feels like forever… While it is important to let your pediatrician know of any major concerns, there are some simple approaches you can take at home to help your little one feel comfortable (and give your ears a break).
Colic
Colic is a condition where a baby cries inconsolably for 3-3-3: more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 3 weeks – for no apparent reason. The exact cause of colic isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be related to gastrointestinal discomfort, gas, or a developing digestive system. Having a colicky baby can be as frustrating as it is heartbreaking, but here are some helpful tips for turning tears into giggles.
How to help
Colicky babies usually calm down around 3 to 4 months old, but until then, you can offer them some relief by bending their legs and gently pressing them into their tummy to release gas, or using a white noise machine to help soothe the baby to sleep. Orange Naturals’ Colic for Kids relies on a number of ingredients to keep baby comfortable, such as illicium anisatum (a type of star anise) which can reduce gas and bloating while calming muscles in the digestive tract.
Fever
Typically, a baby’s body temperature ranges between 97°F (36.1°C) and 100.3°F (37.9°C). Anything above this is considered a fever. Fevers can cause fussiness, lack of appetite, and sometimes coughing or a runny nose. It’s essential to monitor a baby’s fever and seek medical advice if it’s persistent or if the baby
shows signs of distress.
How to help
To soothe a mild fever, skin-to-skin contact is a simple way to help regulate a baby’s body temperature while offering comfort and security (and getting in some awesome cuddle time!). Orange Naturals’ Kids Fever contains belladonna and calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate) for inflammation and fever, with added fever reducer ferrum phosphoricum (iron phosphate) to help further regulate inflammation.
Teething
Baby’s teeth start to emerge through the gums around 6 months old. Understandably, this can cause swollen gums, fussiness, and drooling, which is why they may want to chew on anything and everything!
How to help
To help ease the pain (and keep them from putting absolutely everything in their mouths), chill a wet washcloth in the fridge (not the freezer) for an hour and let them munch on it to alleviate pain and swelling. Orange Naturals’ Teething for Kids is a gentle homeopathic remedy formulated with herbs like the belladonna plant to reduce pain and inflammation, and calcarea carbonica to ease restlessness, irritability and soothe a mild fever.
How to use homeopathic remedies
Life can be hectic when your little one isn’t feeling well, but it’s important to stay on schedule with dosing since the formulas are so gentle. Half a teaspoon 3 times per day is the general dose for children aged 0-11 years, but when they are in the throes of sickness, the same dose is needed every 30-60 minutes. Give the bottle a shake and gently sneak the drops into baby’s mouth when they are in an upright position. And don’t worry, it’s almost tasteless! Orange Naturals homeopathics are made with glycerin which naturally gives it a very light, sweet taste that kids like, making it double-easy to ensure they get enough doses.
Infanthood can be tough, but there are many ways to help your baby feel comfortable. Homeopathy provides a gentle and simple way to help your baby get through the aches and pains of growing up!
Sources
Survey on Homeopathy awareness and usage in Canada
Homeopathy – where is the science?
Homeopathy as a Nanomedicine: A Scientific Approach
Testing the Nanoparticle-Allostatic Cross Adaptation-Sensitization Model for Homeopathic Remedy Effects
How Homeopathic Medicines Are Made
Is White Noise Bad for Babies?
Colic
