10 Doctor-Approved Home Remedies for Common Child Diseases

When it comes to treating a sick child at home, a lot of moms have quick fixes that do wonders to alleviate aches and pains.

We asked registered massage therapist and pediatrician Carmela San Luis de Lara, M.D., to share some doctor-approved home remedies that could help worried parents make their ailing child feel better.

1. Constipation
“My daughter was constantly constipated when she was around 2 to 3 years old, so I always tried to include an oatmeal breakfast and a slice of papaya or ripe mango in her menu to add fiber,” shares Loris Villarente-Acosta, post-graduate student and stay-home mom to 6-year-old Lucille.

Dr. de Lara advises giving pineapple, prunes, prune juice, and apple juice, which are good laxatives, too.

Corn syrup is also effective. Mix one to two tablespoons of corn syrup with milk formula and give to constipated babies aged 6 months and up.


2. Colic
Massage the tummy with a thin layer of oil such as manzanilla. “A study [found that] fennel seed oil eliminated colicin 65 percent of infants—it was found to reduce spasms and increase the motility of the small intestine,” Dr. de Lara explains.

Acosta shares another trick: place your child with colic stomach-down on your lap. “The child’s tummy should be positioned on top of your legs para medyo napipisil. Then cup your hands and gently pound the child’s back so she can pass gas. This usually works on my daughter and my 4-year-old niece, Zia,” she confides.


3. Nausea and Motion Sickness
Ginger juice is best for kids suffering from motion sickness. Boil a quart of water for 20 minutes, add chopped ginger root and a little sugar to taste. Let cool, then give to the ailing child.

 

Click here to see more doctor-approved home remedies.

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Read on to see more doctor-approved home remedies.

 

4. Fever
Dr. de Lara advises a quick bath using lukewarm water to lower a child’s body temperature. “Make sure you also wet the head, not only the body,” she says.

Andrea Trinidad-Echavez, communication consultant and mom of three, gives her kids cold compresses and wipes their extremities, armpits, back of the knees, and neck with a face towel dipped in ice-cold water. “I let the damp cloth stay in the armpit and back of the knee until the temperature goes down.”


5. Cough and Cold
Echavez’s home treatment for colds is to steam-vaporize the child to relieve clogged nose. “No vaporizer? Use an ordinary pot to boil water and put a substantial amount of salt in it. Make an improvised funnel using a plain folder (caution: ink used on printed paper like a newspaper might be hazardous). Remove water from the stove and use the funnel to direct the steam toward the child’s nose,” she instructs. Make sure the mouth of the funnel is at least eight inches away from the child to prevent burns. This helps soften mucus or dried up snot.


6. Skin Irritations
For diaper rash, simply change your baby’s nappies frequently  (you may need to switch brands in search of the most absorbent). For prickly heat, give kids a bath twice a day and change their clothes once they sweat to keep irritated skin dry.

Anna Mychelle Cruzado, banker and mom of two, swears by virgin coconut oil for skin irritations. “I ordered a bottle from U.P. Los Baños because I wanted to buy from a trusted source. Among the listed benefits was relief from skin itchiness. It actually worked!” she claims.


7. Teething Problems
Teething babies need something to bite on. “Give baby a chilled teether or give him a clean washcloth dipped in cold water to nibble on,” suggests  Dr. de Lara.  A saline gargle (water with salt) can temporarily relieve sore throat. But for severe redness and swelling in the throat area, see a doctor immediately.

 

Click here to see more doctor-approved home remedies.

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Read on to see more doctor-approved home remedies.

 

8. Nosebleeding
“I let my daughter sit with her chin down so that blood does not flow back to her nostril,” relates Echavez. “Hold or pinch the nose for at least 5 minutes or until the blood stops dripping. Then put a face towel soaked in cold water on the child’s forehead.” Dr. de Lara recommends, “Dab a small amount of petroleum jelly around the nose to keep the area moist.”


9. Sleeplessness
Lavender has recently gained popularity in aromatherapy and has been found to relax those who find it hard to sleep. “You can use the oil for a relaxing massage or as a bath soak,” says Dr. de Lara. “Simply add dried lavender flowers to your child’s bath water.”

Acosta shares, “Since Lucille was a toddler, a slow and lazy massage, especially on her back and shoulders, usually put her to sleep even if she wasn’t sleepy. My niece would sleep after either a back rub or a slow scratching of her lower back. I seldom hum a bedtime tune dahil lalo silang nagigising.”


10. Minor Cuts, Bruises, and Burns
Again, lavender is key. For minor cuts, easyhomeremedies.com advises using a basin of warm water with two drops of lavender oil. Wipe the wound with a cloth soaked in this solution. Two drops of lavender essence and 30 mL of Hypericum oil (available in most drug stores) will help soothe, reduce the inflammation, and speed up the healing process of a bruise. To prevent blistering from burns, make a cold compress by placing ice cubes and two drops of lavender essence in a bowl of cold water.


Photography by Jun Pinzon