Supporting Children's Health Naturally

In my opinion supporting children’s health naturally includes a combination of using:  

• Diet & nutrition

• Homeopathy

• Tissue salts

• Aromatherapy

• Hydrotherapy

• Herbal remedies

• Chinese medicine

• A Doctor’s prescription

This combination provides YOU with a tool kit to support your children. YOU know your children best and have to choose what you are comfortable with.

I don’t use all of these disciplines. I use homeopathy, herbal teas, diet & nutrition because I find this is enough for me after research I have done.

The biggest influence for your children’s health is YOU! Their good health starts with your health, preconception & what they see you nourish yourself with!

Raising Real Eaters!

When it comes to food, children can be fussy and they are exposed to so much that can be out of your control. But we all know that what children eat is so important for their health. Five principles I recommend are:

1. Add nutrient dense food in, don’t restrict or limit food if you can help it.

2. Sweet alternatives are GREAT! Try dates, honey, maple syrup, organic yogurt, cocoa powder, frozen banana & berries.

3. Let them cook with you or watch you so they learn that meals don’t come from shelves and packets!

4. Introduce flavours, tastes & colours as much as possible- let them try from your plate if you don’t want to cook and waste food!

5. Model healthy eating without perfection - let them see you eat well and enjoy all kinds of foods so that they nothing is restricted.

Summer Yogurt Pops - makes 9

8-10oz frozen orange juice or 20oz frozen fruit (try different fruits)

2 cups plain yoghurt 

Method:

If using frozen fruit, puree in a blender, then add the yoghurt. Transfer mixture to molds and freeze for several hours/overnight, until firm. Insert ice cream sticks when pops are semi-firm. Remove from mold before serving. 

Low Toxic Living

We know that we are living in more toxic times which greatly impact our health. Chemicals, air pollution, ingredients, pesticides will impact you and your children. Here are 5 swaps I recommend to avoid toxic exposure for your little ones.

1. Mattresses- avoid Polyurethane foam, Flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs, TDCPP), Synthetic latex. I recommend Latex Sense or Little Green Sheep.

2. Laundry detergents- avoid brighteners, perfume, enzymes or SLS/SLES. I recommend Ecover Zero or Bio-D Laundry Liquid.

3. Cleaners- avoid SLS/SLES, brighteners, Volatile organic Compounds, ammonia, triclosan, 2-Butoxyethonal, Quats, chorine bleach, phthalates, fragrance / perfume. I recommend Bio-D, Ecover or homemade cleaners!

4. Cookware swaps- try cast iron (lodge or le Creuset) or stainless steel pans (All-Clad, Sardel, Pro-cook) instead of non stick options that contain teflon.

5. Skincare - children’s skin is thinner and more absorbent than adults skin so toxic free products are SO important. Brands I recommend from birth are Weleda, Neal’s Yard, Odylique and Green People Organic. I also LOVE Fierce Nature tallow balms.

Instagram and TikTok are not trusted sources!

It is SHOCKING that people get their health advice from social media. Misinformation is a real thing. On the other hand, social media does help create awareness about safety or health issues. However you use it, is up to you - here is some well researched literature I recommend to look up how best to treat & support common ailments. Most books are written by Doctors who advocate the natural & holistic approaches to children’s immune system. 

“Treat Your Child The Natural Way” by Amanda Cochrane

“Healthy Child, Whole Child” by Stuart Ditchek MD, & Russell Greenfield MD

“How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor” by Dr. Robert S. Mendelsohn

“Digestive Wellness for Children” by Elizabeth Lipski, PhD

“Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child” by Janet Zand, Robert Rountree MD, & Rachel Walton

“Super Nutrition for Babies” by Katherine Erlich MD & Kelly Genzlinger CNC

“Herbal Remedies for Children’s Health” by Rosemary Gladstar

“Homeopathy & Natural Remedies for Children” Zoë Scanlan

These books are written by Doctors, Homeopaths, Herbalists & Naturopathic Nutritional Therapists.

I don’t yet see children in my practice, but this is something I will integrate in the future. For anyone asking to see a naturopath for their children, I recommend Gabi Forrestor at Natural Practices. My friends and sister’s children have seen her, then had great results for their allergies, skin issues, bowel problems and nutrition needs.

You can also search for a naturopath, homeopath, herbalist, nutritional therapist on THE ANP database, find a family homeopath on Find a Homeopath.org  or the Society of Homeopaths

Judged if you do, Judged if you don’t

People are opinionated when it comes to children’s health, myself included. I often think that people assume I am taking risks with my son’s health if I choose alternatives to medication! My GP has even made me feel cruel for not giving him Calpol and then paranoid for presenting with a concern on a separate visit- how do you win?!? In my opinion, you need to be prepared for challenge, opinions and comments from people who don’t choose or support the natural way. If you don’t welcome the comments, keep your preference to yourself.

You must also look after yourself, as caring for children when they are poorly can be really hard- especially if you have work pressures. Get early nights if you can, eat well and don’t skip meals!