Home Remedies

"Nuskhe Dadi Ma Ke"

While growing up, for routine health problems, my parents always first looked into kitchen rather then medicine cabinet(in fact we didn't had one...only had pain killers at home, for emergency), same is the case with my in-laws and I'm very much sure many of you can relate to this. Now when I'm the in charge of my kids health, I also rely on these remedies a lot.

Disclaimer : I would like to tell my readers that these remedies are practised by me & my family for years and we rely on these as they have been quite effective for us. If you or your child is not well, please seek the assistance of a competent health care provider. I or this blog is not responsible in any way.

I want to send this to Radhika's & Sudeshna's Food For Stages Of Life - Cooking for Infants & Toddlers event. Though I know, this post doesn't have any recipe for the event but then at the same time it's so related to what & when of food, we give them to eat. I hope this post will be of some knowledge to parents like me, who always wish that oh....I wish My Mom or MIL was here to take care of the baby & then pick the phone call them to check what should we do...baby is sick. So, specially for infants & toddlers, here are few of my remedies, I always rely on, for my own kids :

1) Colic : u can call this home made gripe water, half a cup of water + pinch of fennel seeds or dill seeds, boil them till the water remains half in quantity, cool & strain the water then give it to babies 1 teaspoon at a time 2-3 times in a day(2 mths. onwards). In case of babies 5mths. older quantity can be increased to 2 teaspoon at a time. It's good for digestion so it can be given in normal situation also.But effectiveness of this water won't last longer, so I normally make fresh everyday whenever I need.

2) Constipation : this is one very common problem among the kids specially when they start on foods other then milk.

• Hing(asafoetida) : it helps in relieving the gas,make a paste using few grains(a pinch) of hing & very little water(room temp.), apply it around the naval area in circular motion. In case of an infant, if umbilical stump(cord) is not healed yet, make sure not to touch that with wet hands.Effective for infants & kids.
• Ajwain(carom seeds) : boil half cup of water and pinch of ajwain.Let it boil for 2-3 min. color of water will change, let it cool now, take the seeds out by draining the water & reserve it for use. For babies 3-5 mths. give 1 teaspoon at a time 2-3 times in a day.for age group 6 mths. & older 2-3 teaspoons 2-3 times in a day.This water can be added to formula also for easy intake. In case of breast fed babies, mothers can always eat a spoonful of ajwain seeds with water, daily. Note : this water won't stay for longer period, so I suggest throw away any water left, at the end of the day.
• Fruit Juice : prune, pear & apple are good, can be diluted with little, Usually 4-5 months onwards(check with babies doctor first).
• Prunes : if baby has started on pureed fruits & vegetables then while cooking food for them a prune can always be added to it so that it get cooked & then puree it along with the food(It's always a good idea to strain that puree to make sure there is no big chunk).
• Pears : pear sauce, steam pears till they are very soft then puree them with a very little water or juice.
• Papita(papaya) : Fully ripe & soft,always mash it for babies who don't chew.For babies who have started semi-solid food(probably 7 months onwards).
• Raisin(kishmish) Water : soak 4-5 raisins in warm water overnight & give that water 1 teaspoon at a time 2-3 times in a day(6 mths. onwards, 1 yr. old can even chew these raisins)
• Avoid BRAT diet, that is Banana, Rice cereal, Applesauce & Toast, these are very basic baby food but also known as binding foods.
• Fiber rich food : add oat cereal to babies diet(5 mths. onwards), cooked spinach(from 10-11 mths. onward).
• Gentle tummy massage in circular motion also help.
• Breast milk : if you are still nursing, it helps.

3)Diarrhea : this is another problem which can make your child feel so sick

• BRAT diet : Acc. to babies age group banana, rice cereal, applesauce or toast can be given.
• Fennel water mentioned above for colic can also be given here.
• Baby yogurt or home made curd if baby is already eating it.
• Avoid prunes for the time being.

4) Cold :

• Ajwain Water mentioned above in constipation section can also be used in case of common cold(runny/stuffy nose).
• Apply baby vicks or regular vicks mixed with little vaseline to baby's feet under toes & put the socks on.
• For babies 3-6 months old mix 2-3 drops of Eucalyptus oil(essential oil) with 2 tablespoon base oil(almond oil or extra virgin olive oil),keep it in glass jar/bottle.When needed massage 2-3 drops of mixed oil onto the chest & back.Same can be used in the babies bath also. NOTE : never use any essential oil without base oil, directly onto the skin.For babies 8 months & older 4 drops of essential oil can be mixed to base oil.
• For infants & toddlers who are eating food (6 mths. onwards) it's good to add little turmeric & garlic in there food, it not only make the food taste good but also help them fight cold & flu.

That's it for now. I hope the information provided will be helpful to others, in case if you know of any more remedies for infants & toddlers please leave a message so that I can update this post.