Inner Balance Results in Happy Babies
The intestinal tract is a wonderful 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. Even the bacteria labeled as “bad” is necessary, when in balance, for a healthy digestive system.
There are a few things in particular that upset that balance. When that happens, good bacteria is destroyed and the not-so-friendly takes on a life of its own, taking up more than the space it is allotted; basically, it takes over the intestinal tract, destroying the good capability of the digestive system to assimilate good food.
Some of the things that may destroy the internal balance for a baby are: antibiotics, antibacterial soaps, medications, improper or denatured food too early in a young life, introducing simple sugar to a baby, and even dairy products given to a new infant can coat the intestinal tract and destroy capabilities early on. Contrary to popular advertisements, cows milk is really only designed for baby cows, not human babies. Cows milk has too high a content of protein and saturated butterfat for a tiny body, and can cause real harm.
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. The list extends to a compromised immune system and the early need for the parathyroid gland to leech calcium from the bone to keep blood calcium levels high enough to aid digestion.
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 postnatal and the cessation of breast feeding can cause a candida outbreak in new mothers. 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 is translates to thrush, a yeasty coating in the mouth. Mothers suffering from yeast overgrowth and sharing back and forth with baby, should get plenty of rest, take probiotics, eat simply and stay away from simple carbohydrates, sugars, wines, and find healthy ways to stay happy. 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. A quick call to the source company, hopefully not just a private label company, should answer those questions.
Keeping things simple, eating live foods rich in minerals and vitamins, watching food combining for both mom and baby are always key factors that will set your health above the average. Get enough rest, along with whole nutrition Ask for help in other areas. If it seems things are out of balance set guidelines for yourself and create a standard for living and eating that you can always fall back on.
Ultimate Health and Wellness, Ellen Valentne, CNC