Frank's Homeopathic Advice on Colic and Teething in Infants
Saturday, 20 February 2010 00:00
Homeopathy can be used to treat minor ailments in infants and small children quite successfully. The two most common problems are infant colic and teething
Before I go any further, you must keep in mind that conditions in this age group can deteriorate quite rapidly and you mums and dads out there must not hesitate to call the doctor if you think your child is seriously ill. Having said this infant colic and teething are easily treated with homeopathy.
To use Homeopathic Remedies in infants, tip the remedy into a teaspoon (without touching it), dissolve in some boiled and cooled water and tip this into baby's mouth. You could use an oral syringe if you wanted.
Baby Colic
This is a distressing condition of infants due to the inability of their digestive system to cope with either Mother's milk or bottled formula milk. This is due to the immature nature of baby's digestive system. The baby will pull his or her feet up nad cry intensively and incessantly due to the pain sometimes arching the back. The only relief is pressure on the stomach as they are carried and iaccompanied by bad temper as the poor things twist and turn with the pain. The remedy I use is Colocynthis. Follow the directions carefully and it is completely safe to use. Sometimes one dose cures the condition and you can use other medicines from the Doctor, Midwife or Health Visitor such as Infacol.
Teething
This is another distressing condition in slightly older babies and usually strts from 12 weeks onward, before any teeth appear.
The baby tends to start slavering and dribbling from the mouth and keeps putting his or her fist in the mouth, just about biting on anything. It acan be accompanied by red cheeks and sometimes a raised temperature especially at night. Again do not hesitate to call the doctor if you think it is more than teething. I believe that babies are under a considerable amount of stress while teething (and parents of course!) and it is important to help them through this difficult period as their immune system is put under strain.
I use a remedy which is a three in one combination called A.B.C:
- Aconite (homeopathically diluted to 30C), for stress, fear and shock especially at night.
- Belladonna (again homeopathically diluted to 30C) for raised temperature and hotness, also helps temper.
- Chamomilla (camomile diluted to 30C), helps to calm and settle the baby after you have soothed.
In older children, this remedy can help earache, spotted usually by the child pulling and rubbig at the ear(s), as well as using prescribed medicines. It is quite safe to use paracetamol or ibuprofen alongside this remedy, but you must seek advice from your Murrays Pharmacist or your health visitor.
