Top Home Remedies for Newborns

Newborns go through a lot of changes in the months after their birth, and your baby will deal with its fair share of normal hurdles like a healing cord stump, eye infections, and teething problems. Whether you are a first-time parent or have already been there and done that, newborn issues can always be a bit of a worry. Thankfully, many of them can be dealt with at home with herbal and other natural remedies – and don’t even require a visit to the pediatrician. These are my favorite home remedies for newborns.

Eye discharge:

Almost every newborn will have that yellow, crusty discharge that can shut the eyelids together. Eye discharge is frequently caused by blocked tear ducts, but can also be the result of a yeast infection or be accompanied by conjunctivitis. With both of my children, I have found that breast milk works like a charm to dissolve “eye crusts” and enable the lids to open. Eyes affected by a yeast infection benefit from red clover infusion, when gently dabbed onto the eye with a cloth.

Conjunctivitis:

Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by slightly red eyes and is also called pinkeye – in addition to that yellow eye discharge. Many mothers find that squirting breast milk into a newborn’s eyes will help pinkeye clear up. However, if the inflammation gets progressively worse rather than clearing up after a few days, antibiotics are called for. Head for the doctor’s office if you don’t notice a significant improvement after two days.

Umbilical cord stump:

Many doctors advise new parents to put either iodine or alcohol onto their baby’s umbilical cord stump. Natural alternatives include rosemary leaves, which act like a natural antiseptic, and witch hazel. Witch hazel is acts as an anti-inflammatory, and parents who have used it on their baby’s cord stump say that the cord dried and fell of quickly. Watch out for oozing and signs of infection whatever cord-care method you choose – the cord should dry up, not get slimy.

Diaper rash:

Diaper rash can be painful and look very nasty. In addition to giving your baby some diaper-free time, I have found that bathing in water to which you add baking soda is a very effective way to cure diaper rash. Applying chamomile oil or a cream that contains chamomile to your baby’s red bum helps moisturize and soothe the area.

Fever:

Every baby gets a fever sooner or later. Fevers can be caused by infections, viruses or teething. Parents who want to try to reduce their baby’s fever in a natural way, or are uncomfortable offering allopathic medications before they have seen a doctor, have several options. One that has worked for my kids is soaking baby socks in apple cider vinegar, and putting them on the baby while they’re wet. I am not certain whether the vinegar plays a fever-reducing role or anything cold and wet will bring down a fever. Herbalists also recommend elder flower tincture as a fever reducer.

Olivia is a mom of two. She writes about fertility, pregnancy signs and symptoms and babies at her blog, Trying To Conceive.

This is a guest posting from Olivia at trying-to-conceive.com.