Establishing Baby’s Healthy Balance
The intestinal tract is a marvelous balance of friendly and not-so-friendly bacteria or flora. It is necessary for proper digestion and adequate absorption of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, essential amino acids and protein. The flora or bacteria labeled not friendly is actually very necessary and good when in balance.
Several circumstances may upset the digestive area. When imbalanced the bacteria labeled as not-so-friendly takes up more than its space and runs rampant, taking over the digestive tract. As that happens the tiny microvilli which line the small intestine, which add to the greater absorption of food are compromised. What starts to happen then, if left unnoticed, is a body under-nourished, and a gut so permeable that the entire sytem becomes toxic. This is not the way you want your child to begin life.
Some of the things that destroy the internal eco-balance for a baby are: antibiotics, antibacterial soaps, medications, improper or denatured food too early in a young life, introducing simple sugars to baby, and even dairy products given to a new infant can coat the intestinal tract, cause mucous conditions and destroy capabilities early on. Contrary to popular advertisements, cows milk is really only designed for baby cows, not human babies. Babies cannot digest the high protein and saturated fat content in cow’s milk.
A few signs that a baby has an early out-of balance intestinal tract, and the ensuing digestive problems to match are: thrush, cradle cap, rashes that are raised and either crusty or red, recurring constipation followed by diarrhea, recurring sniffles or a rash of tiny pimple-like pustules. Other symptoms include a weakened immune system.
What to do? First of all, do your homework with regards what to feed baby. Look for the companies, there are a host of them that supply pre-biotic and probiotic help for a new system. What mom eats does affect the baby if she is a breast feeding mom. It is good for mom to take digestive enzymes, a reliable and natural multi-vitamin supplement and a good probiotic while she eats lots of fresh vegetables and digestible protein.
Hormonal changes for mom: postnatal, cessation of breast feeding (or menopause, though not relevant here) can cause a candida outbreak in new mothers. Vaginal infections may occur. If a mom is still breast feeding she and the baby can trade yeast back and forth in a very painful process which infects the nipple and areola. For the baby it translates as thrush, a yeasty coating in the mouth. Mothers who notice this shared infection should get plenty of rest, take probiotics, eat simply and stay away from simple carbohydrates, stay away from sugars and wines, and find healthy ways to stay happy. Try to find good herbal and nutritional cures for the condition because medications will only add more candida to the mixture after the round of medication has been taken.
There are natural candida remedies for mom on the market, you simply want to make sure with your nutritionist that it won’t affect breast milk quantity or quality. Most companies are excited and proud of their research development, and many times a trained and licensed practitioner is on staff to answer questions.
Keeping things simple, eating live foods rich in minerals and vitamins, watching food combining for both mom and baby are key factors that will set your health above the average. Babies were designed to breast feed for the first few months of life but it requires that mom make rest and enjoyment of baby the major part of her daily regime. That is really the only job for a new mother. Ask for help in other areas. Every family is different but setting guidelines early in a child’s life, prenatal or pre-pregnancy for healthy eating and reputable herbal and perhaps homeopathic supplements sets high standards that children will incorporate as their own as they grow into adulthood.
Ultimate Health and Wellness, Ellen Valentne, CNC
