Healthy Hints by Mother-Well
Originally a medical doctor from Venezuela, Morella Lascurain was astounded by the benefits natural therapies had on herself and her young family. She is the founder of Mother-Well, a specialist clinic in natural healthcare for mothers and children based in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Mother-Well has also developed a fabulous range of natural products for mothers and babies now available at www.nappies.co.nz. We are really excited that 'Healthy hints by Mother-Well'
• If you are breastfeeding, eliminate “colic” foods such as hot spices, onion, coffee, dairy, wheat and sugar from your diet. Drink fennel and other herbal teas with soothing properties.
• Specially formulated probiotics will help your baby recover from gut flora imbalance, which can contribute to colic
• Gently massage your baby’s tummy in a clockwise motion with dill-based oil, such as Mother-Well’s Calmacolic Oil
• Try homeopathy, it can do wonders.
Visit us at www.mother-well.co.nz or call our clinic on (09) 360 6016 for more information.
Infantile soberrheic dermatitis, they call it. Cradle cap is the presence of greasy yellow scales on the scalp, sometimes extending to areas nearby. It usually disappears by 9 months, but eczema can in some cases develop in its place. It is believed to be caused by overactive sebaceous glands in newborn babies.
It does not itch and will not harm the baby. But gosh, how unsightly! So, what can you do?
Apply Mother-Well’s “Cap It Off” to the baby’s scalp and gently massage until absorbed. Then carefully use a soft brush or fine comb to remove loose scales. This oil blend contains geranium, which is known to balance the secretion of sebaceous glands and other herbal ingredients which reduce the likelihood of the scales reappearing.
If the allergy is suspected, or runs in the family, consult a Naturopath to help you identify substances the baby might be reacting to, either in the mother’s diet if breastfed or in the formula. Pro-biotic use is also strongly advised, for both the mother and infant.
If breastfeeding, it is advisable that the mother takes an essential fatty acid supplement to aid skin health, in the form of fish and evening primrose oils.
Visit us at www.mother-well.co.nz or call our clinic on (09) 360 6016 for more information.
Cap It Off available at www.nappies.co.nz
From just a little redness to a very sore, bright red area with spots, blisters, and broken skin, nappy rash can make your baby very unhappy. What can you do to avoid it?
- Prolonged contact with urine and stools is the most common cause, so change the nappy whenever wet or soiled.
- Use a barrier balm with antiseptic properties such as Mother-Well’s all-natural the bottyguard at every nappy change to prevent irritation.
- When possible, leave the nappy off, allowing air to get to the skin.
- If the rash is already apparent, apply Mother-Well’s Yippee Nappy to the area. This ointment contains optimal concentration of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic herbs that help the healing of the skin.
- Other factors might be playing a part, such as thrush (look for red spots around the margins of the main red area), sensitivity to powder, etc.) or foods that caused very acidic, irritation bowel motions. Consult with your natural health practitioner, especially if the rash persists after a couple of days, or is very raw and the skin broken.
Visit us at www.mother-well.co.nz or call our clinic on (09) 360 6016 for more information.
The Bottyguard and Yippee Nappy are available at www.nappies.co.nz
Mummy glows as her belly grows. She knows there are a few things she can do to prevent the stretch marks that could blemish her skin…
- Gently massage the skin of the tummy, breasts and buttocks twice daily with Mother-Well’s all-natural Stretchy Belly Oil, especially formulated to help prevent strech marks and scars in general. It contains gotu kola and other herbal ingredients in a blend of macadamia, jojoba, avocado and carrot oils to nourish, maintain the elasticity and promote the health of the skin. It is important to do this regularly from the second trimestre of pregnancy onwards.
- Eat a variety of wholesome, nourishing foods. Pregnant women require a higher intake of vitamins and minerals for themselves and baby, but often stick to their previous, inadequate diet, or succumb to non-nutritious cravings. Sound nutrition is as essential as external skin care to prevent stretch marks, as low levels of zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E or B complex will impair cell regeneration and wound healing.
- Consult with a naturopath or nutritionist if you think you need help with your diet. In our experience, most pregnant women have been given a long list of the foods to avoid, and are confused with regards to what they should eat.
Visit us at www.mother-well.co.nz or call our clinic on (09) 3606016 for more information. Stretchy Belly Oil is available from www.nappies .co.nz