Most babies encounter minor ailments, such as cradle cap, dry skin, eye discharge, and tummy upset within their first year. The best approach to treating your baby is to use natural remedies and alternative medicine. Chemicals, over the counter medicines, and prescription drugs are very harsh for a little one and can intensify the problem rather than cure it.
Olive oil, almond oil, black tea, and fennel tea are natural remedies that treat your baby’s ailments gently and effectively. These alternative treatments, common in European and Eastern cultures, have been used for generations without side-effects or sensitivities. It is important to pay attention to what you put on your baby’s skin, since it readily absorbs chemicals into the body.
Olive oil
Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil makes the perfect skin moistener for babies. If ingested, it is easily tolerated by the body. When absorbed through the skin, olive oil benefits your baby and offers no side-effects the way commercial lotions do.
Use a tablespoon of olive oil to coat your baby’s scalp if he is experiencing cradle cap. Allow the oil to be absorbed for at least ten minutes and then simply comb out the flakes. Your baby’s scalp will look fresh and clean and it will actually be healthier.
Almond oil
A favorite among the Swiss, almond oil is a highly recommended treatment for babies. Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and is easily absorbed into the skin where it increases moisture for an extended period of time. The Swiss commonly use this oil to massage baby after a bath and concentrate on the chest, palms, soles, and face. Almond oil is safe even around your baby’s delicate eyes.
For a baby massage, add approximately four drops of almond oil to your hands and gently warm by rubbing your palms together. Massage baby and add oil as needed. This is an economical moisturizer as well because little is needed to nourish the skin.
Black Tea
Black tea is a natural antibiotic. In a 2005 study, black tea was shown to act as effectively against select bacteria as chloramphenicol and methicillin prescription antibiotics. The advantage to using black tea over prescriptions is the lack of side-effects and addition of natural benefits. Black tea is extremely rich in multiple types of antioxidants, which aid the body’s cells.
Babies can benefit from the incredible properties that black tea has to offer as well. If your baby is experiencing eye drainage of any kind, using black tea for its antibacterial properties will significantly reduce the chance of serious infection. This natural remedy is even safe for newborns! Brew a small amount of black tea, let it cool, dip a sterile cotton ball in it, and wipe it across your baby’s eyelid from outside to in. Repeat this process at least three times per day to treat your baby’s eye discharge. It is simple, natural, and very effective.
Fennel Tea
Fennel tea is the perfect remedy for your baby’s upset tummy. Young, colicky infants or older babies suffering from gas can both benefit from this natural soothing remedy. It is safe for babies to drink fennel tea as it is caffeine free and extremely mild. Fennel aides in digestion– it lessens constipation and bloating along with naturally treating gas.
Buy organic fennel tea for your baby and prepare it as per instructions provided. Allow the tea to cool before serving to your baby. After a meal or before bedtime is ideal for benefiting baby most. Serve the tea in a bottle by itself or mixed with either breastmilk or formula. If your baby will accept a cup, offer the tea that way. Most babies enjoy the flavor of fennel, but if you find your little one refuses it you can try adding it to his cereal instead.
Natural remedies are the safest way to treat your baby without experiencing side-effects or introducing harmful chemicals into your baby’s delicate system. These alternative therapies are simple, effective, and safe-perfect for your baby.
Citations:
Mia Manning, “Almond Oil 101”, ehow.com
Panjab University, “Synergistic antimicrobial activity of tea and antibiotics”, pubmed
Jeanie Lerche Davis, “Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea”, WebMD
Lisa Lambson, “Health Benefits of Fennel Tea”, BrightHub
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