Sometimes we get caught up in all the hype about what to buy to keep the baby happy and healthy. We can be impressed by all the different things that tempt us. What I found confusing was that every different pharmacy or store I walked into told me that different things were needed to help my baby recover. I also got carried away with all the nonsense out there and yet found that my grandmother’s old fashioned home remedies worked just as well if not better than most products on the market. The best thing about her remedies was that they were much cheaper and smelled much better.
Colds:
The first time my baby came down with a cold and runny nose and eyes, I was a long way from a doctor and a pharmacy, but I had some camphor and lavender oil handy. I remember my grandmother telling me to mix them with a little warm olive oil and gently rub my baby’s chest with it. I did this and the next morning his chest sounded a little clearer. I repeated this twice during the day and again late at night. Although it took several days for her cold to clear up, I was very pleased that I did it naturally.
It is important to keep fluids down when the baby has a cold and often a little freshly squeezed orange juice or a little black currant juice added to boiled water can help them because of the vitamin C they will get.
Another thing my mother told me that I have always found extremely helpful was to add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil to some hot water and place in a safe place, away from babies’ little hands, but close enough to that the aroma surrounds them while they sleep. . Not only does it smell delicious, but it’s also great for clearing blocked nasal passages. Great to put a few drops in your own tissue if you have a stuffy nose. Just inhale the oil whenever you feel yourself getting blocked again.
If you’re worried about the baby or something tells you it’s more than just a cold, you should take it to a doctor to get it checked out by a professional, but if you’re happy it’s nothing serious, it’s great to be able to help your baby out. natural.
Dentition:
Another of my grandmother’s remedies that seemed great to me was when the baby is teething or even when they get older and they get toothaches; you can help ease the pain with a little help with clove oil. This can be found in all health food stores and is a great product to have around the house as it has so many great uses.
If the baby or child is teething or has a toothache, rub a small amount of clove oil on the outer area of the face where the tooth or swollen gum is. Never rub it into their mouths. This will definitely help alleviate the pain caused and again, it is a completely natural way to help your baby.
Constipation:
If your toddler becomes constipated, another great way to help is to put some prunes on them. You’ll probably find they don’t like them, so a great way to get them to take it is to buy prune juice which tastes delicious and is easy to add to your bottled water or even with your cereal. Even adding just 1 drop of chamomile oil to a gentle oil mixture and massaging the baby’s tummy can help relieve constipation. Be sure to give them Weetbix or a similar breakfast cereal as soon as they are of the recommended age for eating solids. Another great fruit juice for them is grape juice as it also tastes great and they usually love it. Always give them as much fruit in their diet as recommended at various stages of growth. I found mine loved applesauce with some homemade egg cream or yogurt. Often, the commercial baby foods you buy are not only very expensive, but they don’t have the same taste or texture as those you make yourself. Babies also need good fiber in their diet to make sure they don’t get constipated, so be sure to help your baby by making sure they get it naturally.
Diarrhea:
If your baby has diarrhea, then 1 drop of mandarin essential oil added to a massage mixture can be gently massaged into the baby’s tummy to help. This is only recommended if it is a mild form of diarrhea. I would recommend that you see your GP if the diarrhea continues as a baby can become dehydrated very quickly and would need to be checked out by a professional.
Not sleeping or restless:
If you find that your baby is not sleeping well at night, there are several things you might want to do before resorting to any form of medication. I found out that the new baby needs to establish a routine as soon as she comes home from the hospital. They have been cooped up for the last nine months in a very safe, warm and welcoming place and suddenly they have been ripped out of it and placed in a completely different environment. You need to get them back to that comfortable, warm, and safe place as quickly as possible. If you continue to pick up the baby and move it all the time, it will soon become very unstable and restless. If you do this, you will find that a very happy and content baby will emerge. Always check that the baby does not have any problems that cause him to cry or not sleep. If you’ve been fed, are dry, and aren’t in any obvious pain, try this. Have the baby bathe in lukewarm water, scented with a drop or two of pure essential oil of lavender or mandarin orange. These oils are not only calming but also have a slight sedative effect. Alternatively, you can add a drop of either to a good massage base and gently massage baby all over. The baby will not only love the massage every night, but it will definitely help the baby to sleep soundly.
Milk crust:
Many people will tell you to use oil on baby’s head if he gets cradle cap. I found that my grandmother’s remedy was much easier and faster to get rid of. Mix some baking soda with a small amount of warm water to make a smooth paste. Rub this over the area but avoiding the eyes and let it dry. Just wash with a soft cloth or cotton and you will find that the cradle cap comes off very easily.
Chewing gum:
A great way to remove gum from your toddler’s hair or clothes is to rub it with eucalyptus oil. My mother taught me to use this when she was a child and I can still remember her running to get the old eucalyptus oil out every time one of us stepped on or got gum in her hair. It is simply the easiest and best to use. This is not only way cheaper than all the expensive goo removers on the market, but it smells better. You will find that if you check the labels of the products available in stores for this, most of them list the main ingredient as eucalyptus oil anyway.