Holistic Medicine for Infants

Holistic Medicine for Infants

One of the first issues parents may experience with their newborn is colic. Colicky babies cause sleepless nights and leave parents wondering what they can do to help. Holistic medicine can provide excellent treatments for this condition.

In the case of a newborn, digestion is weak because it is not fully developed. This causes food to stagnate in the stomach and the accumulation creates indigestion with gas. Dietary changes for the mother and newborn, such as eliminating milk products or soy, can be helpful. For a good recipe to help with digestion, see below. Soybeans are very cold, and practitioners of Oriental medicine know that cold properties in food weaken digestion. Fruit juices need to be avoided for the same reason. These juices are sweet and can cause dampness internally. Breastfeeding mothers can easily find lists of food to avoid when your infant experiences colic. The most common gas-producing foods to eliminate are: cabbage, tomatoes, citrus, garlic, onions, chocolate, coffee, and beans. Others include rhubarb, peaches, and melons.

It is important not to overfeed the child, which can lead to digestive difficulties. Often, when a baby is crying from the pain of indigestion, feeding is the first thing that is done. This adds to discomfort since the initial problem is food not digesting. It is best not to feed on demand if an infant has colic. Plan a schedule and feed approximately 2-3 oz. every 4 hours, depending on the size of the child.

Colic may occur in older babies as well. Following a simple, bland diet is always helpful.

Colic is usually worse at night. Acupuncturists understand that night is the time that the yang or warmer energy goes inward. Day is yang and night is yin, so our bodies circulate to match nature’s cycle. When the sun sets, our warm energy moves inward. There is usually stagnant food and too much heat in a colicky baby’s stomach, so when the yang or warm energy moves inward, it causes discomfort.

Parents may not know how effective Oriental Medicine can be in treating colic. The practice of Oriental Medicine includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na (medical massage), and other therapies. Many acupuncturists are Oriental Medical practitioners and use both names interchangeably. The Oriental Medical practitioner will analyze the body as a whole system working together and consider the season, time of day, and all of the influences affecting the individual. The practitioner can determine what type of colic your child is experiencing and treat accordingly.

When acupuncture is used, children usually feel no discomfort from the insertion of the thin acupuncture needles and they become very relaxed. Endorphins released from the brain help to sooth the nervous system. Specific acupuncture points are used to relieve indigestion and strengthen digestive function. Acupressure beads can be substituted in place of needles.

Herbs can be used in the form of a tea, or herbs can be put in a cotton bag and placed over the navel. Herbal medicine is quite helpful for digestive problems.

Tui na or medical massage on the abdomen can be performed at an acupuncture appointment. Parents can also use massage at home to calm their baby and help digestion. A simple technique is to massage the abdomen, following the large intestine, using circles from right to left. Learning infant massage and massaging the abdomen daily can be a great help to infants with colic.

Holistic medicine can vastly improve the health of your child. By treating children in the first years of life, you prevent later health problems. When imbalances such as colic appear, it is wise to treat them early.
Prevention is always the best medicine.

A recipe that is good for digestion is a dilute rice soup.
Use 1 part rice to 6 parts water.
Cook it in a slow cooker or crock pot. You can cook it overnight or for several hours.
If the soup is too thick, just add water.
If you want to include some cow’s milk, you can put a small amount of diluted milk in the rice soup, along with warm water.
*Always be sure to feed your child a well-balanced diet with proper nutrients.

Nancy Anderson-Bierma has a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist with the Minnesota Medical Board. She practices at Pediatric Acupuncture and Wellness Center in St. Paul, MN where she specializes in Oriental Medicine for children from infancy to young adulthood.
Please contact her at 651-644-4460 or at http://www.pedacu.com