Paediatric FAQs
FAQs for the Layman
Que.:
Does a Baby have to confirm to a standardized weight gain to be called
healthy?
Ans.: No, the degree of weight gain in a normal baby
is dictated not only by adequacy of food intake, but also by its natural
prakriti (constitution ).
Hence, vaat-pradhan types gain very less weight and are small-statured,
whereas kapha-pradhan types tend towards obesity, on the same amount of
dietetic intake.
Que.: Does a nursing mother's diet affect her baby?
Ans.: Yes, it certainly does affect her baby. She must
be extremely careful to avoid certain types of foodstuffs, depending upon
her baby's constitution.
Que.: Is there any definitive herbal remedy for 'evening
colic'?
Ans.: Yes. The type of herb to be used can be determined
by the pattern of the colic.
Que.: Are vitamin supplements routinely necessary in
babies?
Ans.: No, they are not necessary if the baby is being
properly fed.
Que.: When should semi-solids be introduced in a baby's
diet?
Ans.: Anytime after the age of four months. But some
babies may not accept weaning foods until even later. It is better not
to force-feed a reluctant baby.
Que.: How many stools does a baby pass every day?
Ans.: A baby who is being breast-fed may pass five or
even more soft stools everyday. But this again depends on its prakriti.
For instance a vaat-pradhan baby may not pass a stool everyday, even if
it is getting enough milk.
Que.: How does burping help?
Ans.: Burping brings up any excess gas in the baby's
Stomach. Gas which is trapped in the Stomach cause colicky pain as the
milk gets churned in the Stomach, a period which lasts for approximately
two hours.
Que.: When should toilet-training begin?
Ans.: It may begin soon after the baby is able to sit
/ stand with support.
FAQs for the Medical Profession
Que.:
How to ensure successful lactation?
Ans.: Try the following tips:
Quiet surroundings.
Sufficient rest for the Mother.
Put Baby to breast frequently, in the first few days.
Teach the Mother to make use of the Rooting reflex in the baby.
Nurse in sitting position only.
Use Castor oil application for retracted nipples.
Use potentised extracts of Shatavari and Ashwagandha herbs.
Que.: What is the drug of choice for evening colic?
Ans.: Chamomile is unquestionably the drug of choice
for treating evening colic.
Que.: Is there a reliable herbal remedy for newborn sniffles?
Ans.: Pulsatilla in low potency is effective in newborn
sniffles.
Que.:
Is there any herbal remedy for dacryocystitis?
Ans.: Castor oil in the eye helps to clear blockage and
hence reduces both inflammation and lachrymation.
Que.: Herbs for seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Ans.: Tee Tree Oil, along with the allopathic drug Triclosan
gives better results than with Triclosan alone. Neem and Lemon grass oils
can also be added.
Que.: How to soothe an irritable baby?
Ans.: Chamomile, again.
Que.: Herbal remedy for idiopathic constipation?
Ans.: 'Basti' with specific oils. They rectify the apan-vayu
and help get rid of habitual constipation.
Que.: Which herbs have anti-pyretic properties?
Ans.: There is no one specific herb identified at present,
as an exclusive anti-pyretic medicine. Many herbs , however, are mild
to moderate febrifuges, e.g. acorus calamus (not to be taken internally),
Coriandrum sativum seeds, Cuminum cyminum seeds, etc.
Que.: Which herbs can be used as appetite stimulants?
Ans.: Herbs such as zinziber, piper nigrum, piper longum,
etc. which come under the 'deepan-pachan' category in Ayurveda, can be
used as appetite stimulants.
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