Anyone can experience digestive issues, but when a baby has them, figuring out what's wrong and how to help becomes more difficult. As babies can’t express their feelings easily, it may take a while to understand the proper reason for their crying.
Babies often face digestive problems like gas and constipation. These issues can cause fussiness, crying, and sleep disturbances, making it a priority for parents to find safe and effective remedies. Some symptoms to look out for are bad breath, irritation, constant crying, and a change in the consistency of the baby’s stool. Since a baby’s body is very delicate and cannot tolerate high doses of medicine, Ayurveda provides natural remedies that are safe and free from side effects.
Here is a list of five Ayurvedic home remedies for your baby’s digestive issues:
Gripe Water
Gripe water is an Ayurvedic remedy made with herbs and spices, traditionally used to ease stomach discomfort in babies. Some key ingredients include fennel seed, ginger root, cardamom and mint leaf which all have digestive and carminative properties to help expel gas. You can find premade gripe water at pharmacies or health food stores. But it's also easy to make your own formulation at home. Simply steep 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and 1⁄2 teaspoon each of grated ginger and cardamom pods in a cup of boiling water for 10 mins. Let cool to room temperature before serving 1-3 ml as needed. The dose can be given directly into baby's mouth or mixed with a small amount of breastmilk or formula.
Fennel Seed Water
Another great Ayurvedic remedy is fennel seed water which acts as a digestive aid and also has an anti-spasmodic effect for relieving colic symptoms. To make fennel water, lightly crush 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and steep in a cup of hot water, covered for 10 minutes. Strain the seeds out before serving. Give baby 1-2 teaspoons of the fennel water as needed. Fennel water can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is another time-tested natural remedy used in Ayurveda and also Western herbal medicine. The flowering herb has anti-inflammatory properties that can help settle the stomach and relax the intestinal tract. To make chamomile tea for your baby, steep 2-3 teaspoons of dried chamomile blossoms in a cup of hot water, covered for 10 mins. Allow to cool before straining out the flowers. Mix a few teaspoons or millileters of the tea into your baby’s bottle of milk or formula. Chamomile has a light, pleasant flavor babies usually like.
Massage with Warm Oils
An age-old trick from Ayurvedic medicine is gently massaging baby's tummy with soothing, digestion-boosting oils. Great choices include chamomile oil, fennel oil or plain sesame oil, all of which have natural laxative effects. Warm a small amount of the oil in your hands by rubbing them together before gently applying over baby’s abdomen. Slowly rub the oil into the skin using gentle clockwise circular motions. Repeat for 5-10 minutes allowing your hands’ warmth to penetrate into your little one’s digestive system. This can help relieve gas, constipation and pent-up energy in the gut.
Conclusion
Digestive troubles can put lots of stress on both baby and parents. But before turning to over-the-counter medications, there are many natural, chemical-free remedies from Ayurvedic wisdom we can try first. Herbal gripe waters, fennel seed water, chamomile tea and soothing oil massages can work wonders. Additionally, loading up baby’s diet with probiotic-rich foods over time contributes to better gut health and digestion. With these gentle Ayurvedic remedies, your little one will find tummy relief.
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FAQs
1. What are some common digestive issues babies face?
Ans. Some common digestive issues babies face include gas, constipation, colic, and general stomach discomfort or fussiness.
2. Why are Ayurvedic remedies recommended for baby digestive issues?
Ans. Ayurvedic remedies use natural herbs and ingredients that are gentle and safe for a baby's delicate system without any harsh side effects.
3. What is gripe water and how can it help?
Ans. Gripe water is an Ayurvedic remedy made with fennel, ginger, cardamom and mint that helps expel gas and soothe stomach discomfort when given in small doses.
4. Can chamomile tea help with baby digestive issues?
Ans. Yes, chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties to settle the stomach. Make a weak tea with 2-3 tsp dried chamomile flowers and mix into baby's milk or formula.
5. How do you properly massage a baby's tummy?
Ans. Use warm oil and gently rub the abdomen with clockwise circular motions for 5-10 minutes to help relax the digestive system.