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An attentive parent listens and learns her infant’s personal language of cries and gestures. By doing so, a strong emotional bond is forged and you become better attuned to your child’s state of health. You also ensure that baby remains well by attending to her basic day-to-day necessities: proper nourishment, adequate sleep and lots and lots of touching and love.

For infants six months and younger, breast milk is obviously best. Numerous studies attest to the superior nutrition and health-enhancing qualities of mother’s milk. (A Dutch study discovered that children who were nursed were healthier overall.) Once solid food is introduced, breast milk can and should continue as one food/drink for another six to 18 months. Most physicians recommend that new babies steer clear of more allergenic foods like cow’s milk, wheat, corn and eggs. It’s best to start with rice, steamed vegetables and fruits. Give each food one at a time, then wait for several days before introducing a new food.

When baby is well and you understand each other, all is right with the world. But when baby is ill or distressed by the discomfort of teething, diaper rash or colic, the language you share breaks down. Here are some simple steps you can take to soothe your young one. If symptoms are severe, unusual or long lasting, seek guidance.

Take a Bite Out of Teething

When baby’s first teeth break through the gums, there may be no problems at all. For some, gum pain, itching and swelling cause considerable insomnia, irritability and anguish. Apparently unrelated symptoms are blamed on teething, fever, diarrhea, ear pulling, coughing and rashes. According to recent research, many teething symptoms are caused by allergies and other illnesses.

Applying or gently rubbing ice or a cold cloth on the affected area helps reduce swelling and pain. Liquid filled teething rings can be frozen for baby to gnaw on. Homeopathy is also helpful. Silica is suitable for the child whose teeth come in slowly and late. Cold water increases discomfort in this situation. Baby is chilly and wants warm blankets. Calcarea carbonica is also for babies slow to teethe. The difference is that these children perspire on their heads. Chamomilla is for the inconsolable child, who tends to have temper tantrums as teeth pop through. Combination homeopathic products are also available specifically for teething.

Change Those Diapers

One in four babies suffers from diaper rash, the most common skin disorder among young children. Causes include insufficient diaper changing, yeast infection, excessive rubbing of the skin, reaction to laundry soap or ointments or food reactions, particularly cereals. More serious skin disorders or systemic illnesses should also be investigated if the diaper rash does not clear up by regular treatments.

Diaper changing whenever baby is wet or soiled helps prevent and remove a rash. If possible, let the little one go without a diaper. A gentle cleaning with mild soap and warm water, followed by an application of calendula cream helps as well. Alternately, corn starch can be sprinkled on to dry moisture and can reduce a rash caused by rubbing.

Preliminary evidence suggests that some babies prone to diaper rash are low in zinc. This may explain why zinc oxide cream is a popular rash preparation; zinc supplementation (best administered by your health practitioner) has often proven effective.

Calm Baby’s Tummy

Lauri M. Aesoph is a health writer living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is the author of Your Natural Health Makeover (Prentice Hall, 1998) and How to Eat Away Arthritis (Prentice Hall, 1996).

Source: alive #219, January 2001