Constipation
Age 0-6 months:
If breastfed, mother should drink pear/apple/or prune juice as it passes through breast milk. Also, mom could try removing commonly constipating foods (which pass through breastmilk) like dairy, wheat gluten, and soy. Mom and baby should take probiotics and make sure her gut is healthy. Leaky gut in mom could result in problems for baby.
If Bottle Fed, place 1 TBSP of black raisins in a small bowl and cover with 1/2 cup of pure water. Let sit for 8-10 hours. Feed baby 1 teaspoon of the WATER and look for a bowel movement in 4 to 5 hours. You can use a nipple for the “drug delivery system”.
Or, Rub 2 small drops of Castor Oil on the abdomen, always rubbing in a clockwise motion (as you face the baby, with the bowels.) 4 to 5 hours should result in a movement. WARNING: Do not use more than 2 drops or you will risk giving your baby diarrhea/cramps.
Age 6-24 months:
Pasteurized dairy could be the cause. Try RAW milk products instead, eliminate foods in his/her diet containing white flour and/or sugar, increase healthy fats, drink more water, eat more fiber rich raw/lightly steamed veggies/fruits, ground flaxseeds/chia seeds, and no soy.
SUPPLEMENTS For Constipation
It’s a great idea to add a good quality probiotic (beneficial bacteria) to their daily routine. Here’s one especially for infants under age 24 months which I’ve used for my baby since she was born: HLC Neonate. For children over 24 months, I recommend HLC Mindlinx powder by Pharmax. Both powders have a neutral taste and can be taken right off the spoon or mixed in water or cold food.
Age 2-10 years old:
The most common foods that cause constipation are: gluten, and pasteurized dairy. Try RAW milk products instead, eliminate foods in his/her diet containing white flour and/or sugar, increase healthy fats, drink more water, eat more fiber rich raw/lightly steamed veggies/fruits, ground flaxseeds/chia seeds, and no soy.
You must increase your child’s intake of healthy fats. Fats allow healing of the intestinal tract and lubricate it so it eliminates more frequently and with more ease. Please read my article 8 Safe Natural Ways to Stop Constipation in Toddlers.
Eczema
Breastfeeding: Mom should get off dairy, gluten, soy, and eggs (which are typically fed soy). If that does not help after 3-4 weeks, try a full elimination diet or GAPS diet to clean up mom’s intestinal tract. Add EFAs, probiotics for both mom and baby.
Infant Formula Fed
The pasteurized and ultra-processed milk powder in the formula is usually responsible for a whole host of health problems, especially eczema! Switch to Homemade Infant Formula with raw goat milk or liver based (dairy free infant formula).
DIET: No dairy, gluten, or soy! Raw dairy can be introduced later after the gut heals. Add animal fats (pasture-raised which has anti-inflammatory fats vs inflammatory fats) to their diet. This includes chicken with plenty of fat (and skin), grassfed beef, and plenty of bone broth stock daily.
SUPPLEMENTS for Eczema (if child is eating solids):
Give child 3 servings of extra fats per day: Cod Liver Oil (Omega-3 +Vitamin A/D), Coconut oil, Avocado, ghee (clarified butter).
It’s important to add a good quality probiotic (beneficial bacteria) to their daily routine. Probiotics help improve their intestinal health, and in turn this helps improve their immune system and skin. Here’s one especially for infants under age 24 months which I’ve used for my baby since she was born: HLC Neonate. For children over 24 months, I recommend HLC Mindlinx powder by Pharmax which is ideal for kids who may have food allergies. Both powders have a neutral taste and can be taken right off the spoon or mixed in water or cold food.
Environmental Triggers:
Check your environment…soaps, bathing too often, laundry detergent, floor cleaners, air fresheners. They can all cause it or aggravate it.
Pay attention to triggers: flare-ups could be caused by stress, heat, seasons changing
Use mild baby soap on his skin and use all natural household detergent and cleaning products. Keep baby’s skin moisturized. Daily washing is unnecessary- and can dry out the skin to cause further sensitivity. Try bathing baby once or twice a week instead (with only “spot” washing when necessary.)
Age 6-16 months
Preparing Foods for your Infant or Toddler
Whether you’re a stay at home mom,or you’re packing up your baby’s lunch for Daycare, making your baby’s food is more simple than you think, much healthier than the jarred baby food, and MUCH better than the junky stuff they serve the kids at Daycare which they claim is “healthy”.
You can make some quick and easy meals for the week in just 1-2 hours, once per week. I prepare all my baby’s food on the day the fresh fruits/veggies are delivered, and once ready, I store them in the freezer in 4-6oz glass mason jars or glass pyrex (like baby food jars).
First, peel the veggies and fruits (optional depending on age and type of fruit/veggie), chop them into large pieces, and put them in the steamer. Then chop up some chicken, meat, or turkey into small pieces, steam, and mince up into bits using a hand chopper or mini-blender.
You can either freeze the protein separately (freeze it raw ideally) and steam it up same day you serve it, or cook it and add into the veggie mix ahead of time, then freeze the whole jar so it’s ready to go. The 4-6oz jars can easily be heated using either a baby food warmer, or hot water. Don’t forget to add in the healthy fats. One generous pat of organic or better yet grass-fed butter into the veggies, one small dab of coconut oil or cream in the fruit, and a ½ tsp Cod Liver Oil daily somewhere like in the food or milk.
Avocado is a great food and one infants and kids can eat daily. It’s filled with Omega 9 fats, antioxidants, and minerals. Carrot sticks hold up really well in lunch boxes. Just pack it all up and off to daycare. Giving your child this nutritious food daily will ensure he/she thrives with great health rather than fall into the epedemic of children’s health and behavioral problems.
Do you need more support on helping treat your child’s eczema? I highly recommend The Eczema Cure e-book. It will teach you step-by-step how to heal from the inside out, and it includes Real Food recipes and effective tips you cannot live without! You’ll learn safe and proven solutions that your doctor has NOT told you about since it does not involve medication or creams, and address the real cause of your eczema, and exactly what you need to do to treat it so you can enjoy healthy, radiant skin that lasts!
Learn how to cure children’s eczema here.
