The Colic Care^® Blog

Helpful Tips about Vaccinations for your Baby

The most common question I see in my office is regarding vaccinations. My role is not to tell the parents what to do, but to provide information and ways to minimize the adverse effects that vaccinations can cause. Every child is different, and it is important to find a health care provider that can evaluate your individual risk. Below are a few suggestions that could help:

Alternative Schedules

• The amount of vaccinations that your child will receive has more than doubled in the past 35 years.
• Spreading out vaccinations can be helpful in theory, although no studies have been conducted regarding these types of schedules.
• Increases in autoimmune disease and asthma could be linked to multiple vaccinations.
• Talk with a provider about the risks and benefits of alternative schedules.

Avoid Daycare Until At Least 2 Years Old

• The highest risk of mortality is in infants under 2 years old, and exposure to meningitis causing organisms and pertussis is most deadly in this age range

Breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding provides protection against these same organisms that can cause death in infants.
• Breastfeeding during the vaccination can lessen pain.

Supplements

• Vitamin A increases response to vaccination and decreases adverse effects.
• Probiotics populate the GI tract and respiratory tract, decreasing chances of contracting disease and decreasing recovery time.
• Low levels Vitamin D are associated with autoimmune disease. Just 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine is equivalent to 200 glasses of milk.

Again, it is important to work with a knowledgeable health care provider if you are concerned with the current vaccination schedule. Vaccinations have, in many cases, reduced the occurrence of life threatening disease, and it is important that parents make fully informed choices regarding vaccinations.

As always, if you have any questions about this blog posting, or any other posting on our website, please feel free to Ask Dr. Tara. Or you can just make your comments below. Thanks for reading!!

Ear Infections

One of the most frequent causes for visits to the pediatrician is the dreaded ear infection.  Unfortunately, antibiotics are still frequently prescribed, even though the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made the recommendation for a “wait and see” approach. This is due to research that shows that antibiotics do not speed recovery time. In addition, antibiotics kill off the “good” bacteria that reside in our GI and respiratory tract, making us even more susceptible to illness. Not to mention the current problems with antibiotic resistant bacteria because of unnecessary antibiotic use.

Luckily, there are things that you can do to both treat and prevent ear infections.

• Upright feeding as much as possible. The eustachian tubes of infants are much shorter than adults, allowing fluid to accumulate and cause inflammation.  Feeding at a slight angle allows for more drainage and less accumulation.


• Use immune support as soon as baby starts to get the sniffles. Again, because of the shorter eustachian tubes, extra fluid due to a cold can increase the chances of eardrum inflammation. Great things to try include vitamin C, probiotics, larch tree, vitamin A, and Zinc. Of course you should work with a practitioner to determine the correct dosage for your infant.


• Ear drops. The same research that found that antibiotics were ineffective, also found that ear drops containing things such as garlic, mullein, and hypericum, were more effective than doing nothing and helped to relieve pain. However, you should be sure that the ear drum is intact before putting anything into the ear.


• Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is protective both because of the immune components of the breast milk, as well as the larger motion of the jaw that an infant has to use (promoting movement in the eustachian tube area), as compared to using a bottle.


• Avoiding allergens. This can be food and/or environmental. Using a hepa filter, removing stuffed animals from the crib, and using a hypoallergenic laundry detergent may be helpful for sensitive infants. Food considerations - if breastfeeding, consider eliminating dairy and wheat, or other known food sensitivities.


• Homeopathy. Finding a qualified homeopathic practitioner can help with chronic ear infection conditions. During an acute phase, remedies like chamomile (extreme fussiness, better with fast rocking), pulsatilla (whimpering/whining, better being carried) or belladonna (extreme pain, red face, screaming) can be tried and are very safe and effective for infants.

It is unlikely that you will be able to avoid the occasional ear infection, but using the above tips will keep the frequency and duration to a minimum. Ear tubes should be a last resort if other avenues have been tried with no relief.

We would love to hear your thoughts or comments.  Just enter them below.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to Ask Dr. Tara. Good Luck!!

Flu Fighters: The All Natural, Healthy Way

This winter will no doubt be a troubling flu season for everyone, especially kids.  Prevention is always the best option and I have included some helpful tips to make sure that your family has the best chance of avoiding the flu.

1. Wash your hands. This has no doubt had a bigger effect on germ transmission than anything else.  Friction is just as important as soap, so rub your hand vigorously under running water, and teach you kids to do the same.
2. Eat well and get rest.  This seems like a no brainer, but if your children do not eat their fruits and vegetables, they will be more susceptible to flu bugs. Don’t be afraid to tell them this.  Let them know that eating those foods will make them strong and keep them from getting sick.  To learn more about getting your kids to eat healthy, read Dr. Tara's article, “Broccoli is Gross!” - A mom's guide to healthy eating for kids, in The Colic Care® Blog.
3. Stay on probiotics the entire winter season. Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria that provide precursors for our immune system, among a host of other beneficial processes.
4. Consider herbal teas.  Make herbal teas made of lemon balm, avena, echinacea, etc. and try them on your kids. You never know, they may like the taste. Try adding some xylitol which has its own immune boosting effects, and is a natural sweetener.
5. Vitamin C.  The key to vitamin C is to keep a high level throughout the day, not a big dose at one time. It is water soluble, so it tends to exit the body quickly. A mere 250 to 500mg several times per day is much more effective at boosting the body’s immune response.  Emergen-C is a great option and tastes great for kids.
6. Visit a licensed naturopathic physician.   They can help you with dosing immune boosting nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin D. These are fat-soluble vitamins, which means that you can overdose on these, and you need a knowledgeable medical professional to help you determine what dosage is appropriate for your child.

Hopefully, this season will not be the pandemic that is predicted.  And following the above tips can help you avoid contracting any bugs that may be going around. Thanks for reading and don't forget to Ask Dr. Tara if you have any questions!!