Children’s Health

Naturopathic Support for Healthy, Happy Kids

We all want our children to grow up healthy and well adjusted.

They experience a lot of illnesses as they grow and develop and knowing who to turn to for support along the way when heath issues arise can be of great benefit.

Your family, maternal child nurse, your GP and your naturopath together can provide a network of support.

Children need a lot of nourishment for healthy physical and mental development.

A diet high in fresh, protein, good fats, and seasonal fruit and vegetables is essential for keeping healthy and avoiding illness. As parents we want to ensure they have all the essential nutrients as they grow, and that we have the support of natural remedies when they become unwell.

Some health concerns I see at the clinic:

Post Natal Depression

It’s not uncommon to get the blues shorty after your baby is born. But this shouldn’t last more than a couple of weeks. If depression with anxiety continues it’s a good idea to get support.

Breast Feeding Support

It sounds so natural but can be challenging. You may have attachment issues, concerns about your milk supply and quality, worried about routines and settling. These can feel overwhelming and confusing.

Colic

This is a spasm of the gut and occurs in 10-15% of all babies, equally in male and females. This typically begins at 2 weeks and usually resolves by 4 months. This can seem like such a long time and you may need support.

Teething

First teeth appear around 6-12 months, but can be later or earlier. Lower teeth usually come first. Often babies exhibit teething behaviour for weeks to months before teeth appear. Some children have no symptoms. Typical Symptoms include: Restlessness, difficult to settle, off feeds, especially solids, may be thirstier, sometimes fever, ear rubbing, clingy behaviour or irritable, grizzly, whiny, urine may smell of ammonia, smelly diarrhoea and maybe nappy rash.

Starting Solids

When foods are introduced to early into a digestive system that does not have the capacity to process the foods appropriately, problems can occur. One study showed that when children were introduced to four or more solid foods before the age of 4 months, they were nearly 300% more likely to develop recurrent eczema than those children not exposed to early solid feeding.

Food Allergies

Ninety-five percent of children’s food allergies are due to cow’s milk protein, egg whites, wheat proteins, soybeans, shellfish, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts (like walnuts). Other common allergens include corn, peanut butter, citrus fruits, chocolate, and food additives.

Children under the age of three are most likely to have food

sensitivities, because their immune systems cannot yet tolerate a wide range of new substances. Fortunately many grow out of these allergies. I advise more caution in introducing foods in children with a family history of food allergies.

Eczema

There can be many causes of eczema.

Genetics and family history often play a role although these risk factors can be alleviated. (Allergic mothers reduce allergy risk in their children when their breast milk is higher in Vitamin C and essential fatty acids).
Food allergies and intolerances.Early introduction of foods.
Environmental allergen exposure e.g. cat and dog hair, dust mites etc.
Early exposure to respiratory airways infections

Asthma

Asthma is a condition of hyper-reactivity of the airways and immune dysregulation. Bronchospasm and inflammation involved in asthma can be caused by a number of factors including climate, airborne & dietary allergens, emotions, stress, respiratory tract infections, hypersensitivity and immune function.

Sleep issues

This includes difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or insufficient sleep.

Babies
- Possible causes: being overtired, pain, discomfort, colic, reflux, constipation, teething, ear pain, overstimulated, hyperactive, coughs, colds, ear ache etc.

Children
- Possible causes: anxiety, separation, stress (school worries etc), overtired (can’t settle down), allergic foods, sugar, artificial flavourings or colours, constipation, general poor health, coughs, colds, blocked nose, eczema, allergies, lack of exercise…

Sore Tummies

Children often complain of tummy pains and these can be associated with symptoms such as headache, nausea, constipation, vomiting and joint or leg pains. These may be related to digestive issues, worry or anxiety, or food intolerances.

Constipation

These may be related to a diet low in fibre, low fluid intake, lack of exercise, imbalance of gut flora, or stress, and can be supported with dietary changes, herbs and routine changes.

Infective Diarrhoea

Gastroenteritis (Gastro) can be contagious and is easily shared between small children when they start childcare or school. It usually self-limiting, but support with herbs and lifestyle management can clear quickly.

Tonsillitis

Signs and symptoms include: a sore throat, red, inflamed, swollen, may have patchy pus formation on their tonsils, trouble swallowing, bad breath, fever, chilliness, lethargy, airway obstruction, (may manifest as mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnoea). They may have tender, enlarged lymph nodes, voice changes, loss of voice, or vomiting. A blocked throat may stop your child eating.

Bronchiolitis

This is an acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract, where children experience respiratory distress, difficulty exhaling, and wheezing. Generally this affects babies under 12 months. The infecting virus spreads from the upper respiratory tract to the medium and small bronchi and bronchioles. These become swollen, often with lots of mucous, which blocks or partially blocks the airways.

Croup

Croup is a viral infection of larynx, trachea and bronchioles. It involves swelling and increased production of mucous causing narrowing of the airways. It often starts with a cold. Symptoms are a hoarse, barking cough (sounding like a seal), tightness in lungs and increased mucous production also occurs. These often occur at night. There is often a clear, runny nose. It usually affects children between 6 months and 3 years and is often recurrent. Children with croup can become very distressed.

Ear Infections

Acute otitis media
This is where there is swelling and inflammation of the middle ear caused by an infection usually from a virus. This can develop into a bacterial infection. Common causes include colds, allergies, and Eustachian tube problems. In children, Eustachian tubes are shorter, more horizontal, smaller and softer, and often unable to clear mucous.
Serous otitis media (glue ear)
There is often no sign apart from decreased hearing. Children will need their hearing checked. This can cause hearing loss and therefore behavioural changes which can affect learning. If coping socially and in the classroom, there is no hurry for grommets. It is not infectious but can start from cold or acute ear infection. It may hang around if not cleared, or if your child’s immune system is low. Dietary factors may contribute.

ADHD

This is usually first diagnosed in children and adolescents. It is characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity to the extent that the symptoms impair a child’s ability to function. When left unidentified these children are at much greater risk of social problems, decreased self-esteem, impaired learning ability and family problems. It affects 3-5% of school age population.

At Brunswick Naturopathy I Can

Support you in caring for your child’s health
Support you in understanding your child’s development and any disease processes
Provide information on natural health solutions such as homeopathy, dietary changes, herbs and supplements that will shorten the recovery time
Provide a treatment plan that is specific for your child’s needs

Please ask your doctor or naturopath before starting on any supplements. It’s better to first identify the cause and then treat it with the right remedies.

If you are ready to take control of your own health, call me at Brunswick Naturopathy (0403 755 584) or book an online appointment.

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