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The Healthy Belly Homeopathy Guide
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an effective system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognizes that symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the patient who needs treatment not the disease. With Homeopathy you as a parent, expecting mother or even a grandparent can help yourself or child through a troublesome sickness or ailment without the use of conventional medicines. As in any case you should always be in contact with your health care provider, as they will have the best insight to your familes needs, and you can always ask that homeopathic methods are tried first before the use of antibiotics and so forth.
Diaper or Skin Rash
Calendula cream is soothing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Use preventatively and/or as a treatment. Can also be used for minor cuts or abrasions.
Bumps and Bruises
Arnica 30c or Arnica cream (do not use on broken skin).
Teething
Chamomilla 30c can give swift pain relief especially when the baby is angry, inconsolable and wants to be carried.
Colic
Colocynth 30c if the baby is angry, draws its knees up from pain and is better from pressure on the abdomen (e.g. lying on their front or over your shoulder
Mag phos 30c if the baby draws its knees up and is better from warmth or gently massaging the abdomen)
Chamomilla 30c if the baby is angry, inconsolable and wants to be carried. May have green diarrhoea like chopped spinach
Coughs, colds and fevers
Aconite 30c at the first sign of a sudden high fever, especially after being chilled by a dry, cold wind
Belladonna 30c for high fever with red face that’s hot to touch
Gelsemium 30c for a slowly developing fever with dusky face, aching muscles and fatigue
Pulsatilla 30c if they are clingy and upset with lots of thick, yellow/green mucus
Bryonia 30c for irritability, headache and/or dry cough which get worse on movement
Ipecac for constant coughing frequently associated with nausea.
Aconitum Napellus when child awakens with dry, hoarse, croup cough.
Spongea Tosta for croup, cold, coughs beginning in throat, for dry barking raspy cough
Antimonium Tartaricum for rattling of mucous in chest followed by non-productive cough, sleepiness worse when damp & warm. The child improves when cool, sitting up.
Bed Wetting
Equisetum indicated for frequent, voluminous bed-wetting, dreams or nightmares when urinating.
Rhus Tox for bed wetting associated with restless sleep.
Belladonna for restless children who talks in sleep and dreams about urinating.
Kreosotum when the child dreams of urinating, worse when cold, better when warm.
Chicken Pox
Rhus Toxocodendron Indicated for the intense itching when the child is restless both physically and mentally. The child is usually worse when cool or during sleep or rest and improved by motion and warm applications.
Antimonium Crudum when the child is fretful and irritable worse after a bath or from heat and better when resting or in open air.
Sulfur intense itching. thirsty; worse when bathed, warm and put to bed.
Diarrhea
Colocynthus for explosive diarrhea preceded by cramp-like pains.
Aloe Socratans for foul smelling stools
Arsenicum Album for child exhausted after a movement Chamomilla, for soft stools associated with teething.
Nux Vomica for diarrhea resulting from over-feeding or when baby strains but can only pass a small amount of stool
Homeopathy can be a wonderful ally for children by providing alternatives to prescription drugs. One of the most promising areas of children's health where homeopathy is being implemented is in the areas of neurological and mood disorders.
Homeopathic formulas are now available for the treatment of:
~ Attention deficit and hyperactivity
~ Developmental or learning disorders
~ Stammering and speech disorders
~ Asperger's Syndrome and more.
Homeopathy and Childhood Vaccinations
The Society of Homeopaths acknowledges that there is much anecdotal and scientific evidence to support the arguments presented for and against vaccination. Registered members of The Society aim to support parents in making an informed decision on the short and long-term implications of vaccination. Whether you decide to opt for the jabs or not, homeopathy can improve natural immunity and be used to reduce side effects from vaccination.
Morning Sickness
Symptoms of morning sickness include nausea, occasional vomiting and tiredness. Many women experience these symptoms during the first three months of pregnancy, usually in the morning when the stomach is empty, although it can occur at any time of the day. The traditional cure of eating a dry biscuit before getting out of bed is worth trying. Avoid rich, fatty foods and try eating little and often if your nausea is worse when you are hungry.
Seek professional help if your vomiting is severe, for example if you are unable to keep food down and are losing weight or if it persists past your third month.
The following remedies are the more commonly indicated:
Ipecac: constant, nausea with empty belching and retching; vomiting is difficult and does not relieve your nausea
Nux vomica: nausea with retching that is relieved by vomiting; sour belching, indigestion and heartburn. You may have a sensation that there is a knot in your stomach. You feel bad-tempered
Pulsatilla: nausea (with little vomiting), worse after eating and drinking, better in the fresh air and for company. You feel weepy, moody and like to be comforted
Sepia: intermittent nausea which is worse in the mornings and worse for the smell or thought of food; there is an empty, sinking feeling in the stomach which is temporarily relieved by eating. You feel apathetic, exhausted and heavy but oddly are better for vigorous exercise. You are indifferent or cross with others.
Constipation in pregnancy
Constipation is common in pregnancy as the hormones, which prepare the muscles of the pelvis for labour, can slow the digestive processes down. Adjusting your diet can often help mild constipation. Increase your intake of fluids (especially water), fruit and vegetables, go easy on wheat products (as the gluten can have a clogging effect) and avoid iron tablets unless prescribed by your GP.
Any lasting change in your usual pattern of bowel movements should be assessed professionally but for a simple case of constipation in pregnancy, try one of the following remedies:
Bryonia: large, hard, dry stools which are difficult to expel; often with a headache which is worse for the slightest movement. You are irritable.
Nux vomica: frequent urging to pass a stool but in spite of straining, passing only small amounts each time; it feels as if some is left behind; piles that may itch and bleed
Sepia: straining to pass a large, hard stool; your stomach feels full and there is a sensation of a lump in the rectum that may remain even after passing a stool. You feel generally sluggish
Sulphur: constipation with piles that itch and burn and are worse for heat. You are generally restless, thirsty and sensitive to the heat
“Avoid rich, fatty foods and try eating little and often if your nausea is worse when you are hungry”
What about diet?
During pregnancy, it is especially important to eat well from a wide range of foods, as this will provide you with the extra trace minerals and vitamins that you need. If you are on a restricted diet or wish to take vitamin and mineral supplements, then it is important that you do take professional nutritional advice Avoid smoking and alcohol as these have been shown to damage your health and that of your unborn child.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and sleep and to exercise regularly. Yoga has been found to be particularly helpful during pregnancy. Increase your intake of iron-rich foods to keep up with an increased demand. Foods rich in iron include green, leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses, dried peaches and apricots, beans and lentils, whole grains, seeds (sunflower and pumpkin), and eggs.
Vitamin C can help the body to absorb iron so take a fresh citrus drink with a meal to increase your iron intake. Avoid tea, especially with a meal, as it actually prevents iron from being absorbed. Iron tablets often have side effects such as constipation so ask your homeopath about homeopathic alternatives if you need extra iron and are not able to get it from your diet.
Many of the above foods (especially black-eye beans and blackstrap molasses) are also high in folic acid, an important trace mineral that helps with the absorption of iron and is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
How can homeopathy help during the birth?
There are remedies that appear to be effective in dealing with possible problems during childbirth, such as a cervix which is slow to dilate, pain, excessive bleeding, retained placenta and other difficulties. Your homeopath will advise you and your partner on the use of remedies in labour. You might want to ask your homeopath if they can attend the birth or if they can recommend a labour kit. The following remedies are often required, both during and after labour, so if you are new to homeopathy or are unable to consult a homeopath, you can start out with these:
Aconite: the labour is too fast (any stage), the pains are very strong (even unbearable) and you have a feeling of panic
Arnica: an indispensable remedy that can be given from time to time during labour to help the muscles function properly, to relieve the over-exertion of labour and reduce the bruised feeling after delivery
Kali phos: for simple exhaustion during labour, mental, emotional and physical
Caullophyllum: for a difficult labour where the cervix is slow to dilate and the pains are strong but ineffective.You feel cold and trembly. (This remedy is not available over the counter - consult a registered homeopath)
Pulsatilla: when contractions are irregular and weak, the cervix is slow to dilate and you feel miserable, clingy and tearful. You may talk about wanting to give up and go home!
Healing after the birth
After the birth, you can use homeopathic remedies to speed up healing for yourself and your baby:
Aconite: for shock following the fear of the intensity of birth, in yourself, your partner or your baby
Arnica: to relieve soreness, bruising and after pains. Also helpful for babies who are bruised (from a long labour or a forceps delivery). If you are still sore after three days, take Bellis perennis to help with bruising to deep muscle tissues
Kali phos: for mental exhaustion after delivery, with headache, tiredness but too excited to sleep, especially in the first day or two after the birth
Pulsatilla: post-natal ‘blues’, especially when the milk comes in. You feel utterly miserable and burst into tears at the slightest thing but you feel much better for being comforted
Can homeopathy help with breastfeeding problems?
Problems that can make it difficult for women to breastfeed successfully include mastitis, painful nipples and a slow milk supply. Homeopaths recognise that breast milk gives babies a good start in life, so do keep in touch with your midwife, breastfeeding counsellor and/or your homeopath if you want to breastfeed but find it painful or difficult or both.
One useful remedy is Phytolacca for sore, cracked nipples, which hurt when the baby nurses. It is also useful for breast infections (mastitis) where there are painful lumps in the breast.
When Should You Consult a Professional?
Homeopath
Babies and children tend to respond quickly to homeopathic treatment, so if minor symptoms being treated at home don’t improve rapidly, you should consult a professional homeopath and/or your GP as they may need more specialist treatment.
Any severe, recurrent or long-term (chronic) problems will need to be dealt with by a professional homeopath from the outset. Homeopaths treat babies and children with a wide range of conditions such as cradle cap, eczema, sleep problems, recurrent colds and digestive problems. Because homeopathy is a holistic therapy, it can also be used to treat youngsters suffering with emotional problems, ranging from temper tantrums and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to severe shyness and anxiety. Menstrual problems and acne in teenagers are problems often seen by professional homeopaths.
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