(This was not written by a doctor, so take serious cases to one who is. A doctor is also helpful to get an exact diagnosis when needed.)
Here are some tested suggestions from various sources for childhood ailments:
CONGESTION
During rest, letting baby sleep in a baby seat can elevate his head to aid his breathing.
Also try Vick's vapor rub on a piece of cloth around the child's neck while he's sleeping. Older kids don't mind rubbing it directly on them.
FOR TEETHING PAIN
Devotee mothers recommend an amber necklace. It is supposed to be worn by the baby instead of teethed on. To find out whether it is authentic amber that is purchased, it can be tested by touching it with a red-hot pin. The smoke that comes from it should smell like pine pitch. Amber is available online at NOVA Natural.com and Amber Artisans.
NATURAL GAS AND COLIC RELIEF
Here's some things to try:
Giving a warm oil massage on the abdomen around the belly button (some say to mix asafoetida with this), a warm bath or using a warm water bottle.
Carrying baby with his belly downward and cradling him in your palms and arms.
Until the colic subsides, avoiding gas forming foods that may affect one's breast milk.
Laying baby flat on his back, then gently lifting and pressing his bended knees against the belly repeatedly to allow gas bubbles to move upward and out.
Giving sips of dill, fennel, or anise seed tea (cooled). Dill water is especially recommended and AKA “Gripe water”.
NAIL BITING (for preschoolers)
The only time I had to deal with this is when a young child was exposed to violent or frightening TV. This should be avoided, and stress busters such as kirtan and getting outdoors or involvement in TV free activities should be increased.
EAR INFECTION
According to Parent's magazine: “An ear infection usually follows a cold because an ear infection develops when secretions from the prior upper respiratory infection become trapped in the middle ear. So think ear infection if your child is fussy and recovering from a cold”
Suggested treatments are:
1. Using homeopathic ear drops such as Similasan. If unavailable, warm olive oil is also good. It can be warmed slightly but one must be careful it is never hot. Test a little on your wrist first.
2. A warm water bottle may be used for the child to lay the affected ear upon while resting.
3. Also, as soon as he is able, a child should be taught how to blow his nose properly. That means keeping both nostrils open while blowing.
FEVER
If needed, a cool compress on the forehead or a tepid sponge bath helps lower a fever. This is done solely to raise the child’s comfort level. It's like giving the patient artificial perspiration, because if you notice with fever, there is none. Thus the body is helped to cool down.
But don't overdo it. Temperature rise happens in the body for good reason. Unnecessary interference may prolong the job that needs to get done. The best book on the subject is "How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor" by the late Dr. Robert Mendelsohn. Lot's more advice can be found there.
If the child is breastfeeding, the mother should take bitter herbs such as neem.
In any case, plenty of fluids and ample rest is best while waiting for the fever to pass.
PINK EYE
Gently squeeze a couple drops of your breastmilk into baby's eyes at regular intervals. My daughter has used this method for her baby, first found in an Ayurvedic book, with great success. Breast milk contains natural antibiotics.
to be continued