NEW-BORN

These remedies have been found useful for new-born infants. They are not the only appropriate ones, but seem to be the most commonly indicated. See also the relevant sections elsewhere in this book. Some of these conditions will require professional help. These remedies may be useful before, while or after your baby receives it.

Blueness

Blue babies who are cold, especially if they are also experiencing respiratory or heart problems-Laurocerasus 30: one dose every two to three hours, for three or four doses.

Carbo vegetabilis 30 in the same way if Laurocerasus does not help.

Colic

See colic chapter

Constipation

If the mother has had a lot of anaesthetics during delivery, this can lead to constipation in the newborn One dose of Opium 30C every three hours, for three or four doses.

See Constipation chapter for other remedies.

Diarrhea

One dose of Aconite 30C every two to three hours, for three or four doses, especially if the baby also has a fever.

Rheum 30C in the same way if your child smells sour and his stools are SOUT.

Sulphur 30C every three hours for three doses if your child has offensive diarrhea with no other symptoms.

Do not worry too much if your child has loose stools. It is common for breastfed babies to have loose stools several times a day. They are usually only a problem in newborns if accompanied by excessive weight loss, loss of appetite and/or vomiting.

Fright

After a fright three doses of Aconite 30 if accompanied by restlessness.

Oplum 30 in the same way if Aconite does not help.

Fear may be due to invasive treatment (even just injections) during labour, or may be the baby's reaction to being left alone in an incubator.

Injuries to the Neck and Spine During Delivery

One dose of Hypericum 30 three times a day, for two days.

Milk, Sudden Aversion to

Silica 30-one dose every 12 hours, for three doses.

Lac defloratum 30 in the same way if Silica does not help.

If there are specific problems like vomiting after a feed, see Digestive Disorders.

Sleepy Babies

This term here applies to bables who show no signs of alertness whatsoever They may be so drowsy they find it difficult even to feed

Opium 30-one dose every three or four hours, for three or four doses.

For sleepiness that is an after-effect of shock Aconite 30-one dose every

six hours, for three doses,

Snuffles

Snuffles are caused by a thickening of the membranes in the nose, producing

a mucus discharge that makes it difficult for the infant to breathe or feed. If the following remedies are of no help, seek professional homoeopathic help for constitutional treatment

Sambucus nigra is useful where the nose is dry and blocked, where there is difficulty breathing while feeding or nursing, or when the baby wakes suddenly, almost suffocating. One dose of 30C three times a day, for two or three days.

Nux vomica-nose dry and stuffed up at night, nose runs more freely during the day. If Sambucus nigra has not helped, try Nux vomica Nux vomica does not usually apply if the sense of suffocation while feeding is present In such cases, Sambucus nigra is the remedy of choice.

One dose of Nux vomica 30C three times a day, for two or three days.

Stop repeating either Nux vomica or Sambucus nigra once your infant starts to get better

Pulsatilla - snuffles accompanied by a thick, yellow, creamy catarrh. One dose of 30C every four hours, for three or four doses. This remedy is par ticularly useful in children who are generally mild and are better for being cuddled

Sore Eyes

the inflammation has been caused by too much light or oxygen in the incubator: one dose of Aconite 30C every six hours, for two or three days Discontinue the dosage when relief is obvious.

Belladonna-red eyes, swollen lids and watery eyes: one dose of 30C every three hours, for three to five doses, Belladonna is also useful if Aconite does not help

Argentum nitricum eyes are red with a creamy discharge: one dose of 30C every four hours, for three to five doses.

Give Sulphur 30 where there is a profuse creamy discharge and Argentum nitricum does not help: one dose of 30C every four hours, for three to five doses

Urine Retention

One dose of Aconite 30C everythree to four hours, for three or four doses.. Urine retention is often accompanied by screaming and crying before urination.

Pulsatilla 30C(one dose every three to four hours, for three or four doses) if Aconite does not help