Because home remedies are made from natural ingredients, they usually have fewer side effects than prescription medications. This may be one reason why some parents look to home remedies for treating minor illnesses like colds, fever and rashes. Many of the common ailments that occur in infants can be treated safely and effectively at home. Here are just a few of the traditional home remedies, which you can use to help ease a baby's discomfort.
Treating Diaper Rash
When changing a baby's diaper, clean the area well with warm water. Baby wipes might have ingredients to which your infant is allergic. Always dry your baby's bottom before putting on a clean diaper. Make a paste of petroleum jelly and cornstarch to help heal diaper dash. Cornstarch works to dry the rash while the petroleum jelly aids in healing irritated skin. You can also add a bit of oatmeal to your baby's bath water to help diaper rash heal faster.
Removing Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is another condition common among infants. To remove the yellowish crust, rub some petroleum jelly on your infant's scalp. Use a fine-tooth comb or soft brush to loosen the scales. Be patient as it can sometimes take several applications to remove cradle cap from a baby's scalp. Although some parents use olive oil, cod liver oil or extra virgin coconut oil to soften cradle cap, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends frequent shampooing with a mild baby shampoo. In most cases, that is all the treatment required.
Relieving Nasal Congestion
Suction a baby's nose to ease nasal congestion. Hold your baby upright. Squeeze the air out of a bulb syringe and then gently insert the tip into one of your baby's nostrils. Release the bulb to draw mucus. Do the same on the other side. Irrigate with salt water if mucus is dried. If you don't have saline solution on hand, you can make your own. Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt to four ounces of water that you have boiled and allowed to cool. Use a small dropper to put two drops in each nostril. This should soften encrusted mucus and help clear nasal congestion. Wait five minutes after applying drops and then suction each side of your baby's nose again.
Bringing Down a Fever
Give your baby a lukewarm sponge bath. Fill a baby tub with tepid water. Sponge your baby's arms and legs with the water. Continue to bathe her for about 15 minutes. Her body should cool as the water evaporates, helping to lower her fever. Since fever is a symptom and not an illness, most fevers won't require the need for a visit to your baby's pediatrician. However, you may need to check with your child's doctor if fever lasts for longer than three or four days or is accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, or persistent vomiting and diarrhea.
Easing Earache Pain
Apply a warm compress over your baby's ear to help relieve pain and pressure. The easiest way to do this is to soak a washcloth in boiling water. Wring out the washcloth and allow it to cool to a comfortable temperature. Repeat as necessary. If your child is prone to frequent ear infections, there are some steps you can take to minimize the severity and number of times earaches occur. Dr. William Sears, MD, pediatrician and medical consultant for "Baby Talk" and "Parenting" magazines suggests keeping a baby's nose clear at the first sign of a cold. Because mucus can be a breeding ground for bacteria to grow, parents should use saline drops, suctioning and a cool mist vaporizer to relieve an infant's nasal congestion. This prevents bacteria and viruses from moving up through the baby's Eustachian tube and entering the middle ear.
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