Can we use herbs with our newborns and what issues can be solved with herbs?

This is a very common question and you will find the answer in this article. 

Using herbs on your newborn is a safe way to help with some little issues that are common with new babies. Not only it makes you feel good to know that you have the ability to help your little one’s body through some minor difficulties all on its own, but it makes you feel good to know that you are not giving your baby something that is going to harm or bring toxins into your baby’s brand-new little body.
 

1. Umbilical Cord Care

Caring for newborns’ umbilical cord for the first few weeks is important because it can bleed, or get infected, and as you know you are not supposed to keep it wet or put alcohol on. You have to keep it clean, dry, and let it fall off on its own.

Herbs that can help you through this process are calendula and comfrey tea with a tiny bit of castile soap in it. Calendula is an antimicrobial herb, comfrey is a healing to the tissues, and the soap helps to keep it clean and dry without over-drying or getting it too wet where bacteria will grow. Simply mix everything together, dip a cotton swab in it, and gently swab around baby’s cord at diaper changes.
 

2. Eye Infections

A common complaint is a blocked tear duct which causes a full of eye secretions that would sometimes get a bit swollen in the corner. Eyebright herb is a good remedy just dip a cotton ball in it and rub baby’s eye with it several times a day. You can also drip just a bit of black tea into the corner of the eye and massage that area a bit. Within 4-6 days, it usually opens up and we have no more goopy eyes!
 

3. Gas

Gas is a common occurrence in newborns whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed. A new baby’s digestive system is just waking up and getting used to drinking milk and process it all. This can result in uncomfortable gas for them and lots of crying.

A great herbal combo that helps with gas is gripe water*, catnip and fennel infusion. These herbs are known for their help in this area, and on top of helping with gas, catnip is relaxing to baby and fennel tastes good, so you will not have much difficulty getting baby to take this.
 

What I do is squirt a dropperful of this infusion into baby’s mouth before each nursing session to help counteract any gas that may be caused by nursing incorrectly or from an immature digestive system.
 

4. Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is another common newborn issue. Diaper rash is less common if you use cloth diapers if you change diapers frequently if baby’s bottom gets some air in between changes, and if you use a natural wipe solution or unscented, alcohol-free wipes during changes. No matter, some babies just get it.
 

If they do, you can use garlic, chamomile, and calendula to help. You can infuse these into an oil and make a salve or cream to use as a protective barrier for their skin or you can make an infusion with them and use it as a wash during each diaper change. Better yet, you can do both.
 

5. Cradle Cap

Simply infuse rosemary into some jojoba oil, strain it, and apply that oil to their head, letting it sit for several hours before washing their hair and gently combine the cradle cap out. Rosemary is stimulating to the scalp, so it makes a great addition to this quick cradle cap remedy.

6. Trouble Sleeping

You should start by putting your baby on a good schedule/routine of trying to stay awake for brief periods of time during the day and doing your best not to stimulate them and help soothe them to sleep during nap times and bedtime.

But, if for some reason your child decides they want to stay up all night, you can make a simple, safe herbal glycerite using chamomile, lavender, and catnip to help soothe them to sleep. Give baby half a dropperful before bed and then another half if they wake up to nurse at night.
 

All these herbs are safe and nontoxic to your child, herbs are a way to help with treatment but you should always go back to your doctor and not rely completely on them. 

• Gripe water is made of natural ingredients such as fennel, ginger, chamomile, cardamom, licorice, cinnamon, clove, dill, lemon balm or peppermint depending on the formula.