Home remedy (kai marunthu) for small babies

Below are few home remedies that are learnt from my grand parents.

1) Wet and rub Nutmeg (ஜாதிக்காய்), Gall oak (மாசிகாய்), Asafoetida (பெருங்காயம்),  Harde Whole (கடுக்காய்),  Dry Ginger (சுக்கு) over a rough surface in circular motion. If the baby is 1 month old then 1 circle of each herb is enough, as the baby grows the number of circle can be increased and so the quantity also. Collect the residue from the hard surface and mix that with breast milk. This can be given to new born baby every week. This medicine will protect baby from most of the physical problem like stomach pain, cold, indigestion etc.


2) Boil Country borage (Karpuravalli), Holy Basil (Tulsi) and Betel (Vetrilai) with 1 cup water till it reduces to 1/4 cup. Strain the herbs and give the water to kids. This is a great remedy for cold.


3) Crush Country borage (Karpuravalli), Holy Basil (Tulsi) and Betel (Vetrilai) leaves and collect the juice. Alternatively grind the leaves in mixie with small amount of water, strain the leave and collect the juice. Heat the tip of a knife in open flame. When it's hot, dip in the collected juice. Remove knife and make the child to drink this juice in the morning before having any food. This is a great remedy for cold. The cold mucus will be disposed either by vomiting or bowel movement.


4) If the baby is restless and refuses to sleep properly follow the below method:
Soak 1 cup of rice in 2 cups of water for 15 mins. Collect the soaked water by draining. Wash the rice twice with water and collect the washed water. Combine all the drained water and warm it. Pour this warm water over baby's body and pat him dry. Then make him sleep.


5) For diarrhea or vomiting: Boil 200 ml of water and cool it. Add 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 pinch salt to this water. Give this water to baby every 1/2 hour. This will balance the salt and water lost due to diarrhea or vomiting and soon the baby will recover to normal condition.

Tips for new moms

Below are few tips for new moms, based on my personal experience and learning. But on critical situations don’t completely rely on this information; kindly refer your doctor.

1)      During initial days it may take some time for the baby and mother to get proper latching position, but please don’t give up breast feeding. It is the best food for your new born baby. It contains lot of antibodies required for the baby.

2)      Never think breast milk is insufficient for baby. More feeding and good nutrition food will increase the breast milk quantity.

3)      Less liquid intake will reduce breast milk secretion.

4)      For the first 3 months adequate sleep is required for the baby to put on weight.

5)      Apart from hunger Infants may cry for inadequate sleep, poor ventilation, pain or for many reasons. Read your child signs for the reason.

6)      Practice the baby to sleep on a routine.

7)      Assume that infants have the same food as mom during breast feeding period. This assumption will help to understand the root cause of many stomach problem of the baby. For example if mom consumed lot of potatoes then possibly her child may get stomach upset due to gas after feeding. This can be applied to exclusively breast feed babies.

8)      Usually mom’s food intake takes at least 2 hours to digest and produce breast milk. So the above root cause can be calculated only after that feeding.

9)      Consuming protein rich food like egg, milk products, sprouts etc. will increase the quality and thickness of breast milk.

10)   Mom should consume enough fiber and water to prevent constipation for the baby.

11)   Mom should consume Calcium and Iron supplements during the breast feeding period to prevent lack of nutrition.

12)   If the baby cries continuously in lie down position and stops crying in the vertical position then it could be a probable sign of stomach pain.

13)   Make sure to feed one breast completely before start feeding the other one. Approximately this may take about 20 mins.

The reason is that, the breast milk flow for the first few minutes is known as foremilk and this contains the water contents required for the baby. After some time the milk consistency will become thick. This thick milk is known as hind milk and this contains all the fats and nutrients required to nourish the baby. If the mom feeds only for 2 to 5 mins on one breast then the baby will get only the watery milk and lack in the nutrition.

14)   Garlic flakes are great source of increasing breast milk.

Few simple recipes:

Garlic milk:

1.       Peel 10 to 15 garlic flakes and cook in pressure cooker for about 5 whistles.

2.       Boil 1 cup of milk, add the cooked garlic flakes and cook for 5 more mins.

3.       Add sugar as per taste and consume.

Garlic roast:

1.       Peel 5 to 6 garlic flakes and show it on open flame with the help of a knife till it become golden brown.

2.       Add salt and pepper as per taste and have it as snacks.

15)   Garlic is great remedy for gastric problems. Consuming garlic during meal will prevent baby from gastric pains.

For more information about breast milk and how it is produced please refer the following links:

http://www.babies.sutterhealth.org/breastfeeding/bf_production.html

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/makingbreastmilk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_breast_milk