Natural Flu Treatment for Baby

Aloha All! 

This year's flu season has me scared. It has not struck here as bad as the mainland yet, but I thinks it's only a matter of time. Pre-teen got vaccinated because she goes to public school. I felt the benefit out weighted the risk in her case, especially with an infant at home. I have chosen not to vaccinate Itty Bitty for the time being... a discussion for another post. My hope is that *IF* pre-teen gets the flu, it will not be as bad, and hopefully my little milky monster will be protected by my antibodies. However, I spent the afternoon researching natural/homeopathic remedies suitable for an infant, just in case.

Before we get into the good stuff, I must post this disclaimer. I am not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training. I am just a mom doing some google work. Please heed the advice of your medical professional. OK, on to the info...

Prevention is important: this is all the stuff you already know you should be doing with the little ones. Good habits start young. Each of these measures help support healthy immune function so their bodies can fight off illness without getting sick.

    Clean Hands

    Healthy Diet

    Stay Hydrated

    Minimize stress

    Sleep

If your baby does get sick, here is a quick reference to tell if it is a cold or the flu:

Here are a few baby safe home remedies to ease the most painful symptoms if/when your little one does become sick: 

Congestion/stuffy nose:

Saline Drops and a bulb syringe

Place a few drops in each nostril and gently suction. Breast milk works in place of saline drops as well. 

Home Sauna

Close up your bathroom and run a hot shower, Put a Vapor Disk (see below) under the water, sit in the room with LO like a sauna. The essential oils in the disks are associated with relieving congestion, opening airways, and soothing. The steam from the shower helps keep membranes moist and loosens up nasal and chest congestion.  

Keep Baby Propped Up

This just helps keep airways open 

Sore Throat:

Honey and Lemon Juice

(not for babies under 1 year due to risk of botulism in honey) 

Lemon juice dries up mucous and the honey is soothing on the throat. 

Mix 1tbsp of each in a cup and heat just until warm. Drink slowly

Frozen treat

Give baby a frozen washcloth, fruit juice popsicle, or ice cube to chew on. You could even put frozen fruit in a mesh teether. The idea is to get the cool, soothing liquid on the throat. 

Tummy ache: 

Chamomile

Give little one tsp of brewed tea 3-4x a day

and/or

mix 2-3 drops chamomile essential oil with 2tbsp of a carrier oil (I like coconut) and give a gentle tummy massage. 

You can also check with you local naturopath or health food store for holistic medicines that are safe for babies.

Add plenty of rest, fluids, and extra snuggles and hopefully little one will be better in no time. 

Wishing good health to you and your family! 

Vapor Disks

You will need:

A muffin pan and liners

1c baking soda 

1/3c water

eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary essential oil (optional, chamomile) 

Directions:

Line the muffin tins

Mix baking soda and water

spoon into tins

Bake at 350*F for 20min

When disks are cool, add 2-3 drops of each oil to the disk.

Leave disks in the liner, seal in a bag or container and use as needed.