Kids That Go Bump in the Night (or Day)

I remember the first time R rolled off the bed. One minute he was drifting off to sleep while nursing and the next minute - THUD! I awake to a piercing scream and find my baby face down on the floor. "I AM A TERRIBLE MOM!" - the words were stuck in my head like one of those songs you annoyingly keep singing despite best efforts  (Achy, Breaky Heart, anyone?). When Z was born, I was confident and almost cocky in my mothering abilities. I wasn't about to repeat the same mistake twice, oh no. We bought a bed rail and pushed the other side of the bed against the wall. When I travelled, I even put a mattress on the floor next to the bed, just in case she did, via some circus act, manage to make it to the floor. Guess what? She managed to roll off two connected twin beds, on to the mattress and then on to the floor under the bed. I found her a few minutes later on her elbows, under the bed, looking rather pleased with herself.  SERIOUSLY?!!! Point is that getting injured is a rite of a passage every child goes through at one point or another; no point beating your head against the wall (sorry couldn't resist!) and ditch the mommy guilt too please!

Bumps 'n' Bruises

Time to revisit our ol' friend, Arnica! Arnica is one of those things no one should be without. You can rub some ointment gently into the bruise a few times a day and you'll be amazed at how quickly the swelling goes down. Better yet, keep some in the fridge so you can attack the swelling from all fronts. You can also administer Arnica in tablet form (30C or 30X a few times a day) for very severe bruises similar to the egg shaped one R acquired in Gym class. Sigh. There are some other simple remedies you can try like using lavender oil and also ice of course. There's also a folk remedy my mom swears by which is a 1/4 tsp or so of Turmeric powder mixed in hot milk - it's supposed to heal deep injuries from within. The milk is the carrier because apparently Turmeric works best when mixed with high fat content foods - you could substitute the milk for something else that has similar properties. This works well for injuries to the bone. The herb Comfrey is also known to aid in healing of bones and muscles and can be used as an external soak for inflammation. Add some Epsom Salts to a hot bath (Magnesium Sulfate) and the heat combined with the properties of the salts will also aid in reducing any associated pain. My final remedy for aches and pains general is a rice sock - take an old cotton sock, fill it with uncooked rice, microwave and voila! You have a home made heat pack.

Here is the link to a post from a fellow mommy blogger who details the things to watch out for when your baby gets a bump on his/her head. Dizziness/concussion is an alarm bell and any signs that your child is behaving out of the ordinary after an injury should be treated seriously and addressed by a doctor. 

Cuts 'n' Scrapes

I've talked about Calendula being great for wounds before so I won't go on like a broken Billy Ray Cyrus record (tee hee). Clean the wound with some witch hazel or my favourite, California Baby's Boo Boo spray a.k.a diaper wash first because Calendula tends to seal wounds with alarming speed. In my embarrassing post about my cut lip, I also mentioned raw honey working well for cuts - it arrested the bleeding immediately so it's a good one for wounds that don't respond to pressure or ice. If after a cut, you notice bruising or inflammation around the wound, it is likely the wound is infected and you should have a doctor see it (although Calendula and honey will work to prevent infection so if you catch it in time, this should not happen).

Burns

Raw honey works equally well for burns. Another great homeopathic cream like Arnica & Calendula is Urtica Urens. Great for burns and has helped me avoid blisters if used immediately. Vitamin E oil (break open a capsule or buy the oil itself) can help prevent scarring and also helps in healing the skin. This is really for first degree burns only. For more severe burns, take your child to the doctor to be on the safe side and use homeopathy to help help with the healing. The more common remedies for burns (with a young child, symptoms will be difficult to determine however) are:

-- Cantharis (restlessness associated with burn, better from cold)

-- Hypericum (shooting pains in nerves)

-- Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum (infection associated with a burn)

-- Urtica Urens (stinging pain, worse from cold)

AOBs (Any Other Business..I have to use my Project Management skills somehow!)

-- For insect bites, try applying a drop of neat lavender oil (this is the only essential oil you can apply undiluted) directly on the bite. Also use a baking soda paste to help with itching.

-- For splinters, tape a piece of banana peel onto the affected area and leave for 5 mins. The properties of the peel are supposed to help draw the splinter out

-- For bee/wasp stings, try homeopathic Apis Mellifica especially if the area is hot and swollen.

-- For nosebleeds, try a pinch of organic Cayenne pepper on a moistened q tip. Doesn't sting much contrary to belief and works immediately. 

I'll leave you with a quote from one of my favourite Mr. Men stories, Mr. Bump ;-)

"The trouble was that Mr.Bump just could not help having little accidents. If there was something for Mr. Bump to bump into, he'd bump into it all right."

~S~

The Great Diaper Dilemma - How to Deal With Diaper Rash

Diaper Rash is one of those awful things you and baby could do without. Seriously. Also terrible is the guilt that goes along with having somehow caused the rash by being negligent and not changing your baby on time. Lose the guilt, it's not your fault. Some children are more susceptible than others especially if they are sensitive to particular types of foods - with Z, it was always sour fruits - the day she would OD on grapes, her stool would become acidic and her bottom would be as red as a tomato.

First things first -- lose the diaper! I know it's a pain (especially when you have a boy, ugh!) but sometimes that alone does the trick. Lay your baby on a towel and let him/her get some air. If you can do that at intervals throughout the day, you will be well on your way to solving the issue. Similarly, do not use wipes! While they're a great help on the go, you can skip them altogether at home and use cotton wool and warm water. Add some lavender to the water or some rose water (one of my favourite home remedies of all time - ladies, try using pure rose water as an astringent, great for the skin and smells great!) and some witch hazel and you have a home made diaper wash. If you have to put a diaper back on, make sure baby is completely dry as moisture can exacerbate the problem. 

The best diaper rash cream out there is none other than our old friend, Calendula! It doesn't sting, heals faster than you can say boo and has no harsh chemicals found in commercially prepared diaper ointments that can make matters worse. My favourite brand is Weleda but any ointment (I prefer ointment, not lotion or  cream as the ointment is much more soothing) which is pure, homeopathically prepared Calendula with no other additives will work just as well. (I don't recommend homeopathic self treatment for any type of rash, even diaper rash; please see a professional if you want to go the homeopathy route)

For a longer term solution, assess your baby's diet to see if there are any identifiable culprits. Add a probiotic or incorporate lots of organic, plain yoghurt to baby's diet which will help balance the intestinal flora. Do this especially if your child is taking antibiotics as they tend to deplete the stomach of both the good and the bad bacteria.

Another culprit for frequent/persistent diaper rash is Candida, the fungus that causes a yeast infection. If baby's bottom is bright red and shiny and has raised blotches, yeast may be the reason. All the above tips will help, especially the probiotics, but here are some additional remedies you can try for yeast if you want to avoid giving your child anti fungal medication:

Tea Tree Oil (external use ONLY): put a drop of tea tree essential oil into a heaped tablespoon of almond oil and either add to your baby's bath or massage onto baby's bottom. Make sure you dilute it as it will sting if you don't!

Yoghurt: we talked about incorporating probiotics into your child's diet but smearing plain yoghurt directly onto the diaper area is also great for yeast infections! The coolness of the yoghurt will help soothe the inflammation and you'll be kung fu(ngus) fighting the germs too. Double whammy!

GSE: one of my all time favourites and safe to use, even with a newborn! You can make a wash by adding 5 or so drops of it into a jug of warm water and applying to the rash or as an oral dose by mixing 1-2 drops with some juice. If you're breast feeding, take it yourself and it will move downstream to your child (adjust the dose accordingly).

Change detergent/diaper brand: if you are not using a natural laundry detergent, this may be the time to make a switch. I noticed R's eczema changing for the better the moment I switched from a regular (hypo-allergenic mind you) detergent to one free of harsh chemicals. Same goes for your brand of diaper.  

Here's to soft skin, as smooth as a baby's *rash free* bottom!!

~S~

My First Aid Box

Greetings people!

A handymom not only needs tools but good ones! I can't imagine not having some essential items with me at all times so I thought I would write up a list of what to have at hand for dealing with some of the more common ailments and first aid. Some of these can be found in your local grocery store but for others, you may need to order online or go to specialty stores (for where to buy, have a look at the related tab on my home page). Most are suitable for babies but I have indicated if not.

Aloe Vera (topical only)

Aloe is one of nature's little wonders. Cut a little piece of the flesh from inside a leaf and apply to acne, wounds, insect bites and burns and you'll find instant relief. Be careful around small children as it is very bitter and although there are certain camps that advocate eating it, I wouldn't give it to a child unless indicated by a holistic professional. 

Arnica

Homeopathic Arnica is great for bumps and bruises. The easiest way to use it is to massage a little on the affected area as soon as you can. The quicker you can get to it, the less chance a bump or bruise will even form. You can also administer it in pill form and this works well for excessive muscle strain or even for preventing pain at the dentist. Many women also use it to help with post childbirth trauma and some even take it prior to labour to help with pain.

Bach Flower Kids' Rescue Remedy (avoid giving to babies but works great for children over 1)

These safe, non toxic essences are made from flowers and address emotional issues by gently restoring the body's equilibrium. There are a total of 38 different essences but the one to have at hand is the "Rescue Remedy" which is a combination of 5 of the essences and can be used in times of stress or in emergencies. Great for calming down an anxious child (& mom!).

Calendula Ointment

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!" Calendula is nothing short of a miracle - homeopathic Calendula i.e. (For more on homeopathy, see my links section on the home page). This ointment has been my saving grace for diaper rashes (for some reason the ointment works better for me, not the gel or cream) and for cuts/scrapes and even eczema. Calendula is known for its soothing properties and for reducing inflammation. (Note for new moms: I used Calendula ointment for my stitches postpartum with Z and I healed much quicker than I did with R.) 

Essential Oils

Always dilute in oil before rubbing on a child's skin (Almond is a good one). You can also put a drop or two in a humidifier.

Lavender - promotes sleep, relaxant

Roman Chamomile (beware if you're allergic to ragweed) - good for colic if rubbed on tummy. Very effective when combined with Lavender. Can also help with teething babies that are irritable - rub on their chests and tummies and can also rub gently into affected jaw

Eucalyptus Radiata (better not to use with a newborn baby. Can use after 6 months and even then very diluted) - very effective for colds and coughs. Promotes easy breathing, especially for colds with the sniffles

Echinacea - (not recommended for children under 1. If younger and you are breast feeding, you can take it yourself and it will be passed to your child)

Echinacea is a great herb to have at hand. You can buy it in tablet form or in liquid. Although some literature says there's no real difference, I am a firm believer in the tincture and you can get the orange flavoured kind (alcohol free) which my children love. You can mix it in some water or juice if you find it a little strong but I usually just drop it directly into their mouths :-) Why add more dishes to wash than you need to??!!

During a cold or any other illness in fact, giving regular doses of echinacea (I usually do a dose every hour for the first couple of days) speeds up the recovery time and if you catch it early enough, can even prevent a full blown attack. The key *and I can't stress this enough* is to dose frequently and according to weight. It's usually a drop per pound but check the label as different companies may have other recommendations.

For preventative use, dose a few times a day and follow the "1 week on 1 week off" rule as it loses its potency if administered for too long in one go.

Fennel seeds

Fennel is a great carminative (i.e. helps to expel trapped wind) and can be used for colic. Best way to dose a young 'un is by boiling a tablespoon of seeds in a few cups of water and letting it steep into a tea for a few minutes. Add to a bottle or give a few drops with a spoon. For mothers like me who wanted to exclusively bf for a given time, take the fennel tea yourself throughout the day and the benefits should pass through you. Gripe water which is big across the pond in the UK usually contains fennel but, in my opinion, giving it without the added preservatives is more effective. (Note for bf moms, drinking fennel tea can also promote milk supply).

Garlic Mullein Oil

This oil does wonders for ear infections. The garlic component fights the infection (it is a natural antibiotic) and mullein is a flower that has soothing properties and helps with the inflammation and pain. Warm the bottle by sitting it in hot water for a few minutes and then put a few drops into the affected ear every few hours for the first few days. You can plug the ear with a cotton ball for maximum benefit. I fought off a bad case Z when she was 2 with this and Echinacea and managed to avoid giving her antibiotics. Also, interestingly, she never got one after that.

GSE

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a natural antibiotic and helps fight infections in a similar fashion to Echinacea. The key again is to give often and for a few days at least. It is extremely bitter so please don't ever give it undiluted! I usually mix it in some juice (the sweeter ones are better, try mango and orange for e.g.) and give a 'shot' every few hours. 

Vitamin C

I had always heard that Vitamin C was a good preventative remedy and was also effective in warding off infections if taken in high doses. I got firsthand experience of this when I saw how giving it to Z in the early stages of her cold managed to prevent it from getting out of hand and from going to her chest (which unfortunately is the case with her every time she gets a cold. Sigh.). Sounding like a broken record I know, but you  do need to give it often for it to truly do its thing and since this vitamin is water-soluble, it is not toxic even in very high amounts. I usually give the kids a tablespoon of the liquid variety (see my Where to Buy section) every hour until I see a noticeable difference. 

Get in touch if you have any questions!


Smiles,


~S~