Alternatives to Traditional Medicine

Hi N.
I am an Occupational Therapist who does CranioSacral Therapy. This light touch and gentle therapy works with the Central Nervous System. It boosts the immune system but also helps balance the system where we all hold stressers. If you do a web search, look for Upledger.com.
Good Luck
C.

I don't know if someone else has mentioned this but I read a study saying that honey was very effective at helping young children's coughing... suppposedly more effective cough medicine- so if the coughing comes up again, try a spoonful of honey.

Hi

I have used homeopathy with my children since they were babies. My oldest is 14 now. It is very rare for any of my 3 children to get sick. None have ever been on antibiotics.

I would recommend you find a good homeopath in your area. Homeopathy is a natural form of healing and it has been around for a long time.

One of the true gifts about using homeopathy is the attention you pay to their symptoms. So instead of just a cold I needed to look at what made it worse or better. Things like a cough made me ask questions like what does it sound like barking, croupy? Is it worse in the morning, when we go outside, is there a food craving that goes along with that, are they more clingy... I became more empowered with my childrens' health as a result.

I also felt empowered because my homeopath listened carefully to what I felt was going on with my child and treated them based on that. My intuition about my child played an important role in our discussions and treatments.

I had a kit of remedies at home I could use so my homeopath could tell me what to try over the phone. As I learned what to try first I could start treating them instead of waiting for things to get worse.

I thought of it as my first line of defense and was prepared to take them for traditional care if things did not change quickly. There were many times I thought I would end up giving my kids antibiotics but my homeopath would give them something that would take care of whatever they had.

Homeopathy has been an amazing choice for our family. I think you should look into it.

You are a smart mama! Tylenol and antibiotics are heavily overprescribed and there are almost always safer natural alternatives. I would get the book, "Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child" which is like an encyclopedia of childhood illnesses, and for every illness, it lists a variety of treatments - including western medicine, acupressure, homeopathy, herbs, etc. If I were you, I would find a holistic pediatrician or naturopath, as regular peds. will just push drugs. If you want more on this, message me - I know some doctors but not sure where you are. Also, chiropractic is so important and can prevent a ton in the way of ear infections, sinus problems, growing pains, scoliosis, etc. Finally, fever is a big fear in our culture which is sad. Fever is a sign that the body is doing it's job by killing an invader, and by lowering fevers with tylenol, we just prolong illnesses. Fevers are only dangerous if the go above 105, which they rarely do unless you have heatstroke. Best wishes!

Congratulations on your little girl. I'm a chiropractor and I have a 2.5 year old boy who has never taken even an aspirin. Fever is normal and healthy unless it goes over 105. Letting her have a fever and be sick without taking meds is allowing her immune system to develop so she can have an amazingly healthy life. She doesn't need antibiotics unless she has a life threatening bacterial infection. You are doing great... go with what you feel is right and don't let the doctors scare you into medicating your beautiful little girl.

N.,

I'm not a medical professional, but I do write for Natural Health and some other magazines, part of this has occurred because I have become disillusioned with much of modern medicine, which is so drug based (p.s. my father was an MD).

Fever is the body's natural, gentle way to cleanse itself of pathogens, and unless it's dangerously high (can cause brain damage) I think you are right to ride it out. And your aversion to Tylenol is well placed. It slows down liver detox, something it will say right in the insert.

Hope this helps! (and I have to add, this is not medical advice).

cheers,
M.

1. 100.1 is NOT a high fever. I don't deal with daycare so I don't know their policies - and I guess you have to just live with whatever their policy is. But I hope you realize that 100.1 isn't anything to worry about. Giving Tylenol is great to bring that fever down, but if it makes you uncomfortable to be giving it to her all the time, it's not a huge deal to wait until she hits 101 to turn to drugs.

2. The antibiotic. Did the doctor just prescribe it because she was coughing, or did he listen to her lungs and decide it was bronchitis or pneumonia? If it's a bacterial thing, I would say you need to use the antibiotic. But if it's still this viral thing (that I think every kid in the country has been cycling through over the last couple of months - my son has also had this for what seems like a month now, lol) then I would follow your instincts and NOT go the route of antibiotics.

3. Have you tried saline solution? Squirt it up her nose (she'll hate it) a few times a day. This gets everything all dried up. Use a humidifier in her room. They make these vapor things that you can plug into an outlet - I love those, they really work, and you don't have to put junk right on the child. Make sure her nose is getting cleared out. Even if it doesn't seem like her nose is runny - make sure it isn't stuffed up. Getting that stuff out of there will clear things up so nothing gets infected. There are other things I've heard you can try, but I haven't personally. I have a good friend who SWEARS by coloidal silver (spelling?) for her children. When they have an ear start to hurt, she puts a drop in there and her four children have never (knock on wood!) had an ear infection that has needed medical attention. When they start coming down with something she starts giving it to them orally. I probably should start using the stuff, because she seriously has the healthiest kids I know. Make sure she's getting her vitamins, eating well, and getting lots of fluids.

Good luck!

Hello, I am a naturopath, but I wanted to respond to this question as a mom. Although I certainly have my own views on things, I selected a pediatrician who would be willing to explain his recommendations, and negotiate with me on certain strategies when necessary. For minor issues, and wellness issues, there are some areas of grey- and we have our debates! But I always value his judgement, as his training is specialized for this role. That being said, I think there is never anything wrong with trusting your gut and getting a second opinion if something doesn't seem quite right about a course of action- but with an active infection- time is definitely of the essence, and if antibiotics are required- it is better sooner than later. They can do a culture, but some of these can take a long time to get a result...
You can always do the antibiotics this time, if your doctor still recommends them, support with probiotics during and after, and then go for a second opinion to see if there are some better strategies to help keep her well. Good luck!

Bravo mama for your choices
check out my website and try "wet socks" (magic socks)
it is on my publiction page www.fwcmystic.com. I have a 2 yo too!!
K.

Hi N.,
I am 42 year old mom of 3 kids ages 10, 7 and 4. My family uses alternative treatments for our illnesses almost exclusively.
We started with Cranial Sacral Therapy for my oldest's ear infections when he was 2. His Ped. wanted to keep giving him antibiotics and I felt that it wasn't doing his body any good for the ear infection or the rest of his body. The CST really helped open up his tubes so they could drain. He still sees the CST for migraines and he gets a lot of relief.

I've also used breastmilk drops in the ear for ear infections and (at separate times) warm garlic olive oil drops in the ear. (Crush garlic and add to a couple tablespoons of garlic. Warm in the micro and let sit until it cools. Then add a few drops to the ear and plug with a cotton ball.) We applied this to my second son when he had an ear infection and it went away within a day.

I would also suggest finding a Homeopath and researching homeopathy yourself. It's a natural method that works with the whole body. We use homeopathic remedies for all the common ailments. A visit to a homeopath for a constitutional workup would be good, too. They will establish a remedy for each person that will help balance them. I have the book "Everybody's Guide to Homeopathy". It's the first thing I turn to when someones gets sick and I know if I can't figure out what remedy to give I can call the homeopath and describe all the symptoms to her and she can help. It's worked wonders from the common cold to my son's Lyme Disease last year.

As far as fever goes, I don't treat unless the child is not acting like themselves. If they are hot but still playing fine and drinking enough fluids (don't worry about loss of appetite as long as they are getting fluids) then I let the fever do it's thing. I'll treat with homeopathy, cool cloth on forehead, warm bath and snuggles if they are more needy.

Homeopathic Ippecac (pills not liquid) is a good remedy for coughing repeatedly to the point of almost vomiting. Homeopathic Belladonna is a great fever remedy for those hot red flushed faced fevers that come on fast. The remedies and books can be purchased at Whole Foods or your local health food store. Homeopathy is safe for kids, treats the whole body and is easy to take. My kids never balk at taking them. They are tiny sugar pills with the remedy infused in them. You pop one in their mouth and it slowly disolves. Even at night when they are half asleep they just open wide when I say and I drop it in.

Anyway, you can write to me personally if you want to know more. Good luck and be well.

B.

Hi N., I understand your concern; however, I stronly advise you to listen to the doctor. If you daughter is coughing to the point of almosting vomitting there is an infection. Chances of riding that out are not good and the condition could get much worse, turn into pneumonia. I would highly recommend giving her the antibiotic. Good luck and hope whatever way you go, ur daughter gets better soon!

If your doctor has prescibed medicine I believe it should be taken. Let your daughter decided when she is an adult as you and your husband did if she wants to take medcine or not but you should not deny your child's health.
My daughter's daycare has a 24 hour policy. If the child is sent home or you call her in sick it has to be 24 hrs until they can return.
Good Luck and I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Hi N.,
If your daughter seems ok and your doctor thinks it is viral, I'm not sure why he/she prescribes antibiotics. If it is an ear infection, then I would definitely give her the antibiotics. Not treating an infection can lead to serious consequences. So, you definitely want to treat for that. Usually they are in pain, crying and unconsolable. (I was staying with a friend once and their young toddler was awake all night, crying, he had a seizure by morning, and when we went to the ER they diagnosed an ear infection)(I have also had many ear infections etc. with my kids)
Most daycares and schools have policies regarding fevers. Children are contagious if they have a fever. It sounds like she is picking up germs from the day care/ kids that are there, and possibly from some toys etc. Her immune system is reacting normally to these germs. So, it is unfortunate that you have to pick her up and she seems fine. It seems like sometimes kids are fine with a fever and other times they are like ragdolls. Either way, they shouldn't be around other kids until the fever has been gone for 24 hours. My son has missed many days of school this year for fever, vomiting and strep throat. It isn't easy.
Maybe you and your husband can take turns picking her up from day care. This way it isn't just one of you picking up. Or, maybe you can find someone to babysit in a pinch when you need them. Check at a local senior center or library or place an ad for an occasional babysitter. A lot of people are looking for some extra income. Good luck and enjoy your new daughter.

N.,
No parent loves to medicate their child. But if you are going to question it every time your doctor prescribes something to your child then why do you go to one? I think you need to have total faith in your MD and if you don't...it's time to move on. I know some people are into alternative care and that is wonderful, but you can't forget that there is a reason why docs prescribe antibiotics just as there is a reason why people don't regularly die in there 30's and 40's anymore. Some people don't give antibiotics for ear infections and that is their choice, but you are putting your child at risk for hearing loss. I know a lot of daycare providers and I have seen it plenty. I have also seen kids who are not given antibiotics and whose parents chose to "ride it out" with an infection and it escalates into something worse and not to mention how unfair it is to other children that are catching an infection because somebody else chose not to treat their child. When your child is in daycare it is inconsiderate not to treat infections with antibiotics when it is necessary. I know that if my kids were in daycare and they were catching illnesses because another parent did not believe in antibiotics I would be VERY upset. As far as Tylenol goes that is a different story. A fever is a sign that your body is fighting off illness. Tylenol is not necessary, it is a choice. Unless the fever goes incredibly high it really isn't necessary. It is more for the childs comfort. I know that when I am sick and have the chills and a high fever it is a terrible feeling and Tylenol works wonders to make me feel human again. If my child has a fever and seems pretty happy and comfortable then I don't give it. If they are crying, hot and lethargic then I certainly would not deny them the comfort. These are all personal choices. As your child's parent it is your call to make ALL of the decisions. That said, your child is in daycare and there are certain rules that you need to follow, just as there will be when they go into regular school. If you don't want the phone calls to come pick up your child then maybe you could look into a nanny or one on one care because a daycare provider needs to think about ALL of the children's needs, not just yours.

RE: daycare policies, any licensed daycare will tell you not to bring the child in with a fever over 100, so as not to infect the other children or the providers themselves (they also have to be fever free for 24 hrs before bringing back). When children are that sick, they need more TLC than daycare can realistically provide. They may have energy, but it wanes quicker than usual.

As far as meds go, there are many basic illnesses that don't need to be treated, but some do need antibiotics. I would be concerned that if your daughter stays sick for prolonged periods of time without necessary antibiotics that it could be detrimental to her growth or overall health or happiness. This is something to ask a doctor point blank. Just my 2 cents.

Hi N.,
My husband is a chiropractor and we've been treating our son naturally all his 7 years of life. We strongly believe there are several alternatives to antibiotics and medications that doctors are pushing constantly. Don't get me wrong, if my son needed antibiotics, we would give them, but doctors give them out like candy now and it causes havic with children's immune systems. Our son rarely gets sick and has never had an ear infection. He's been in school since he was 2 1/2 but no day care.
I would suggest you look for a locally recommended chiropractor or naturopath in your area. If they are good, they will send you in the right directions, even if they beleive you should give her the medicine. Otherwise, your doctor is not inclided to give you alternatives...it's not what they are paid for.
Good luck, I hope she's feeling better in no time:-)
E. K.

I agree with Alison. fevers are normal. the body uses them to fight and in turn helps build the childs immune system. I have twin grandaughters who will be 2 in april. they sometimes have low fevers and just ride them out. frequently it's due to new teeth coming in. they've never taken antibiotics yet either. daycare will expose your child to many things so their immune systems have to step it up to keep them healthy. cranio sacral therapy, chiropractic care, and great! good luck and congratulations on your new addition to the family.

I worked full time until the birth of my little girl last year. So I can completly identify with you. As soon as I would get my boys home or tell them they could stay home they would suddenly be better. Sometimes the comfort of home and mommy is all a child needs. Now if you are a sahm you can stay at home with her and wait it out until her body fights this thing off... that's great, but if you have to get back to work to pay the bills, she can't go back to school with a fever. The medicine the doctor prescribed will probably give her a speedier recovery. I love going the natural way but I also believe in modern med. It's so hard being a working mom. I always felt torn between my children and work. But bills had to get paid. Don't beat yourself up if you choose to use the med. I'm assuming you need to get back to work... and if your husband doesn't like these meds. ask him to stay home until she feels better. I hope this helps, that your daughter feels better soon, and congratulations on the adoption. Good luck

Hi. The fever policies are generally standard according to state regulations. The limit is 101 farenheit before the child must be sent home.

The problem I have known with Tylenol is that it masks the symptoms of the illness. If she is given Tylenol (or as soon as) she may seem better though the illness is still there. Generally, at 100-101, the child is ready to be comforted by mom and dad, whether she seems sick or not, because she is still uncomfortable and your mamma healing vibes are attune to her illness (tribal idea).

You might try herbs in case of medications to offer some relief from discomfort in the future.

Honestly, it drives parents crazy but it is for the child's well being.

Just remember that if it is only a fever, alternatives are fine. However, ear infections if left untreated can cause hearing loss, and untreated brochial infections can develop into pneumonia. Be sure you weigh the risks before you forgo traditional medicine. Also, every daycare I have known of has a fever policy, regardless of the child's presentation. It's about being contagious to the other children, not necessarily your child's comfort/activity level. PLEASE do not send a sick kid to daycare! They just share the germs with everyone else and it becomes a never-ending cycle (believe me, I've been dealing with this all winter!!)

N. congratulations on your adoption. My question is how often is this happening to your little one. I worked as a temp daycare staffer for about 6 months when I retired. Daycares have a tendency to spray Lysol/Pinesol and off brands of disinfectants, especially after changing diapers with fecal matter. This happened throughout the day in the nursery and the classrooms of toddlers and children who were not potty trained. The worse part is, I saw them spray the rooms when the kids were laying on their mats during nap time. I noticed children with runny noses consistently, some clear mucous and some green and thick. Most children seemed better on Monday morning, but before they went home, it was if it had continued from the prior week.

When spraying I had to leave the area for about 15 minutes, because if I didn't my allergies would start or I would be sick the next day. So my question is, is she possibly allergic to something being used in the daycare? So you may want to check with the administrator to see if they are using green products. Not all from the retail stores are completely non-toxic, but should be at least more environmentally sensitive than the above products. Some add a sprig of green, but if you check their MSDS sheets, they are still harmful.

I work now with a company who has non-toxic products that are so safe, that if a child gets into any of the products, they do not have to be rushed to the doctor/emergency room. I have been using these now for 6-years and my allergies are just about non-existent. I am only bothered a little when flowers are blooming, but not to anything I use as a cleaner or for personal care.

Good luck with your child and if you would like to know more about the store I shop from, please let me know. You may be able to talk to your daycare and have them switch out all their products and become a GREEN daycare facility.

M.
livetotalwellness.com/mykid

When she is older and is more able to describe what she is feeling she won't be prescribed anitbiotics as often. Not giving tylenol for a low grade fever is fine but if it starts to get high you need to give it. A lot of ear infections are viral but at such a young age they can't tell because she describe what it feels like they give the antibiotics to be safe you wouldn't want to risk her hearing to prevent them you could give benedryl when she has a cold it will help dry up fluid in the ears. with the low grade fever and coughing till she vomits she could have some pnemonia going on which is probably why she was prescribed the meds. what is the exact medical reason the ped prescribed her antibiotics? If its for pnemonia, bronchitis, or an ear infection I would definately give them to her. Unless your husband is a pediatrican you ought to listen to your ped and listen less to your husband.

Hi N.,
Congratulations on your adoption. I understand your desire not to overly medicate. Did you ask the doctor if there were any other options? As far as the antibiotics go, some infection cannot be cured without antibiotics. And, the condition may get worse. Regarding the Tylenol to manage fevers, my recommendation would be to keep a close eye on how high the tempature. If there is a spike in fever there is a risk of a Febrile seizure.

A febrile seizure usually occurs between three months to five years of age. The median age of occurrence is 18-22 months

Infants and children often have illnesses that are accompanied by a fever. A fever may bring on a seizure at some time during childhood. A febrile seizure is a convulsion, caused by abnormal electrical activity in the nerve cells of the brain that is brought on by having a fever.

The exact cause of febrile seizures is not known. Seizure may occur when a child’s temperature is rising or falling rapidly. In many cases, the seizure may not be predicted or prevented. In addition, febrile seizures may run in families.

Some options to prevent a fever?

 Give medications as prescribed by your doctor

 Don’t bundle up or overdress your child. The body loses head through the skin and if you bundle your child up, the excess heat cannot escape.

 Sponge your child with lukewarm water or put them in a shallow bathtub containing 2-3 inches of water and drip water over the body. Do not use alcohol or cold water to bring your child’s fever down.

 If your child begins shivering or shaking in the bathtub, stop sponging and remove them from the bath water.

 While your child has a fever, give plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Hope this helps...
About me - mom of two wonderful girls 5 and 7...who have had countless colds and three ER visits...

While I have nothing to offer for the other part of this about prescriptions, I do have some insight on the day care question. It is really dependant on the day care as to what the temperature will be before they must send a child home. Most of the ones I have worked for, the temperature is taken under the arm with 1 degree added to it. If the temperature taken was 100.1 before the degree added, they must be sent home as their temperature is actually 101.1. The higher the temperature, the more adamant they will be about sending the child home as a temperature of 103 or higher for too long can result in brain trauma. Some day care centers will also take age and development into consideration. As an example, if they have a child who is exhibiting no signs of illness and they have a slight fever and appear to be teething; a few day care centers may call you to let you know the temperature is slightly elevated but let her stay anyway. However, these are few and far between these days with the myriad of things going around-stomach bugs, a cold that turns into a virus, etc.

Hi N.,
Congratulations on your daughter and your son in college!

I agree with Anne M. regarding the antibiotics. MDs nowadays do not prescribe antibiotics liberally, so if it was prescribed, I would give it to your daughter.

Good luck.

Hi N.,

Congratulations on your daughter, that is wonderful. Sorry to hear she hasn't been feeling well and been sent home from daycare often. I have worked in different daycare centers and now run my own home daycare and the health policies around fever and illness are the same as your daycare. It is almost impossible for daycare providers to know what is causing your child to have a fever so that is why they send them home. As you probably know, having a fever means your body is fighting something. Most daycare policies state that a child has to be fever free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours before they can return. Daycare providers have to ensure the safety of all the children in their care so if a child has any concerning, contagious or unusual behavior or symptoms they have to be sent home so that it minimizes exposure to the other children. Children under 3 are more likely to spread illnesses since they are usually very oral and not able to blow their nose and wash their hands regularly and thoroughly like older children or adults. I can understand the stress/frustration of being called to pick up your child and then see that they are fine and have to deal with getting your work done. I have been in that position which is why I started a home daycare. My girls are 2 and 6 years old and I am fortunate to be home with them and make some money. Do you have any friends or relatives near by that could be used as back up care when your daughter can't be at daycare? Can you and your husband pre arrange who will stay home when your daughter is sick? These strategies may help reduce the stress and frustration that can occur when your daughter is sent home or needs to stay home due to the health policies. As for giving her medication I feel that occasional use is fine. I agree that doctors today are quick to prescribe. I would suggest trusting your judgement on using them. Her comfort is obviously the primary concern. Giving her an occasional dose of Tylenol or antibiotic to help her feel better sooner or be more comfortable while she is recovering I feel is not going to do her any harm. Good luck.