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Natural alternatives for baby

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Dangerous medicine

We all know how tricky it is to find a medication that is suitable for a baby under one, but there are some that should be avoided by all costs. These include:

  1. Antibiotics that have not been prescribed for your baby.
  2. Expired medicine.
  3. Aspirin.
  4. Cough medicine.
  5. Anti-reflux medicine, if not prescribed.
  6. Medicine to make him vomit.
  7. Adult preparations, especially those for constipation or diarrhoea.
  8. Above the prescribed dose.
  9. Medicine that your baby does not actually need.

Sleeplessness

When babaies don't sleep through the night, parents (who are often wearing matchsticks themselves) are tempted to give anti-pyretics (temperature controlling medication), anti-colics or antihistamines to their babies in the evening to help them sleep through. This can lead to dependancy, chemical build-up and overdosing. 

What to do instead

Identify and treat the cause of the problem. You can help your baby calm down before putting him to sleep with an "infant" homeopathic preparation, available at your pharmacy that contains Chamomilla or Coffea. Babies older than six months can be given diluted chamomile tea. 

Fever

While it's important to control a fever in babies, aspirin has been associated with Reyes Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition, if it's given when the baby has a viral infection. Because parents usually don't know whether their child's infection is viral or bacterial, babies and children younger than four are not given aspirin- especially if they are or may be HIV positive. 

What to do instead

Diluted, homepathic Belladonna (which also helps with sleeplessness) can be prepared by a homeopath. The tissue salt Ferrum Phos can be crushed and added to baby's bottle or given orally. 

Teething

It's not advisable to give Chinese or African herbal medicines to sidestep the typical symptoms of teething. 

What to do instead

An alternative is homeopathic Chamomilla or Aconite, or teething powders and gel available at pharmacies.

Coughs and colds

Babies should never be given adult or even children's cough syrup. These can increase the baby's heart rate, cause convulsions and dull the baby's consciousness. Cough medicines are not the same for a wet or dry cough and should be prescribed or recommended by a doctor, pharmacist or homeopath. The dosages must also be accurately measured, using a medicine syringe or dosage dispenser.

What to do instead

There are different homeopathic remedies to treat different kinds of coughs. Kali Mur can be given when there is clear mucus, Kali Bich when the mucus is green and Pulsatilla for yellow-green mucus. 

Colic

Medicine that contains alcohol should be avoided in babies. Some colic remedies used to contain too much alcohol for the BMI (Body Mass Index) of babies.

What to do instead

Look at the homeopathic counter of your pharmacy for Mag Phos if your baby is curling his legs in pain or Dioscorea if your baby holds his legs out straight in pain. Colocynthis is a general anti-spasmodic that helps to relieve colic in babies. 

Possetting

There seems to be a new trend to give babies unprescribed acid reflux medication (like Gaviscon or Rennies) when they spit up a bit of milk, which is quite unnecessary, and intended for adults. Posetting resolves over time and does not need medication.

Constipation

Adult preparations should not be used for babies. These can cause serious diarrhoea and electrolyte-fluid imbalance that is very dangerous in babies. 

What to do instead

Homeopathic remedies that contain ingredients such as Mag Mur, Bryonia, Calc Carb or Nux Vom can be mixed by a homeopath or can be found in certain infant homeopathic preparations available at pharmacies. 

Always keep in mind

When giving medicine to a baby under one year:

  • It must be prescribed by your healthcare practitioner or recommended by a pharmacist.
  • Consult your homeopath for the correct strength and dosages of homeopathic remedies for your baby.
  • Speak to the dispensing pharmacist about dosage, storage and possible side effects of medical drugs.
  • Don't self-diagnose and self-treat with old medicines in the bathroom cabinet.
  • Read labels carefully.
  • Never over dose.
  • Don't miss doses.
  • Watch out for side effetcs.
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