Have you ever heard about Traditional Chinese Medicine? It’s a fascinating healthcare approach involving various practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body exercises like qigong. The beauty of Chinese medicine is that it focuses on the body’s natural healing capabilities and aims to restore balance by combining different methods. If you’re a parent, learning about TCM principles can be incredibly empowering when caring for your little one’s health. So, why not explore this ancient wisdom and see how it can benefit your family?
This takes a preventative approach to babies. Rather than waiting for symptoms to manifest, it seeks to maintain balance and harmony within their little bodies. Nurturing their Qi (energy) and addressing any imbalances early can help promote optimal health and prevent future health issues.
Gentle massage is important for babies and is frequently seen as a safe and helpful therapy. A little massage can help with digestion, circulation, relaxation, and the bonding of parents and their infants. Infant-specific techniques include kneading, caressing, and applying light pressure to different body areas.
Babies also benefit greatly from herbal medicines. Carefully chosen and blended natural herbs help their weak systems. These cures help relieve coughs, colds, and skin irritations, among other frequent illnesses. It’s crucial to speak with an experienced healthcare provider before giving your child herbal treatments. Anyways, we have the recommendations below.
Traditional medicine has been applying herbal remedies to address different health concerns of infants for centuries. The most used herbal medications to treat these typical diseases of infants are listed here:
Colic: Gastrointestinal discomfort has been associated with colic in babies. Conventional medicine recommends herbal remedies, such as fennel, chamomile, and dill, to calm the digestive system and reduce colic. Such herbs are soothing and carminative, therefore assisting a baby not only in pain but also in digestion.
Sleep Problems: Most babies experience sleep problems, and this offers an herbal solution to help strengthen the baby’s sleeping pattern. Some herbs involved include lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm; they have tranquilising effects that may help the baby relax and improve sleep quality. It is also important to mention that an herbal remedy needs to be administered under the direction of a practitioner to be safe for dosage.
Teething: This may be the most painful period for a baby and a mother. It should be done using medicinal plants such as chamomile, licorice root, and clove to lower gum pain. These herbs possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, so they can reduce soreness and give relief by at least some percentage.
Besides these herbal remedies, it also puts its followers under the need to adhere to proper, healthy diet observance—better digestive health and an improved immune system for the baby. Some of the diets recommended include the following:
Warm Foods: Chinese medicine believes that warm foods are easy to digest and enhance better circulation. To support better digestion, include warm foods like cooked grains, soups, and steamed vegetables in your baby’s diet.
Avoid Cold and Raw Foods: We advise avoiding adding cold or raw food to the baby’s diet, as it may place more burden than the functional capacity of the baby’s digestive system. Offer cooked and warm foods that are gentle on the baby’s stomach instead.
Balanced Diet: Give the baby a variety of nutrient-dense foods to ensure that the baby takes a balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other necessary foods to help the child’s growing process must be given.
Limit Sugar and Processed Foods: We prescribe limiting sugary and processed foods since they can cause an imbalance in the body. Instead, choose natural and wholesome substitutes.
Be sure to consult with a qualified practitioner before giving the baby any of these herbal remedies or otherwise greatly altering the baby’s diet. They can give you individual advice tailored to your baby.
Pediatric tuina is an application of traditional massage designed for babies. In a session, the operation includes gentle, rhythmic strokes or pressures that mainly focus on a baby’s acupoints and meridians. This usually helps the flow of blood and energy and the baby’s general health and development.
Note one very important thing: Therapies for your baby should always be carried out under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. He can diagnose your baby’s needs and provide personalised advice on implementing these therapies.
Effects of Changing Seasons on Baby’s Qi:
Spring: From this medical perspective, spring is a season signifying regeneration and growth. The season is supposed to bring about increased energy and vitality in babies. However, there is a high chance that children may experience allergic reactions during this time due to the changes in weather and the many kinds of pollens that come with the blowing wind. Respiratory problems also likely occur during spring.
Summer: It is normally hot and full of activities. During summer, infants are likely to be jumpy, their hearts rapid, and their metabolic functions in action, but they are at risk for heat-related conditions such as heat rash, dehydration, etc.
Autumn: The time of harvesting, a time to reap and let go. Babies tend to have very sensitive respiratory systems when autumn sets in, and they get colds and coughs very often.
Winter: A season for sleep and storage. Babies may require extra care this season not to feel cold or compromise their immunity. They are also at risk of suffering from problems related to dry skin and respiratory problems.
If you are considering incorporating traditional Chinese medicine practices into your baby’s healthcare routine, it is highly recommended that you consult with a certified practitioner. A professional can guide you through safe and effective techniques, recommend herbal remedies, dietary changes, and more. You can contact us today regarding our services, such as Tuina Massage, which can be explored as discussed above. You don’t need to worry! We have over 30 years of experience providing Chinese medicine care for babies and can offer personalised advice based on your baby’s unique needs.