It’s normal for baby stools to be soft and loose, especially during an infant’s first couple of months. In the case of infant diarrhea, you’ll know it when you see it. The stool consistency becomes very watery, and the frequency going increases dramatically. Infant diarrhea may also be accompanied by a fever or seem disinterest in eating.
Causes of infant diarrhea may be found on Parents, Diarrhea 101. Or, see our post on Diahrrea in Children and Babies for more herbs for children and breast-feeding mothers.
5 Herbal Remedies for Infant Diarrhea
1. Fennel tea
Use mortar and pestle to crush 1 teaspoon of fennel. Add hot water and allow 10 minutes to steep. Strain before drinking. Consume fennel tea one hour before breastfeeding.
For bottle-fed children, add three full Tablespoons of fennel tea to normal bottle preparation.
2. Tea Blend
- 4 teaspoons of Chamomile
- 3 teaspoons of peppermint
- 4 teaspoons of Caraway fruit
- 8 teaspoons of fennel fruit
- 1 teaspoon of bitter orange peels
Combine and blend all ingredients. Add 2 teaspoons to mortar and pestle and crush. Add hot water to powdered combination and allow 10 minutes to steep, then strain. Drink the tea one hour before breast-feeding. For bottle-feeding, add 3 full Tablespoons to normal bottle preparation.
3. Marjoram herb ointment
Combine 1 teaspoon Marjoram herb in a mortar and pestle, crush and mix with a spoonful of wine. Allow the mixture to sit in a glass container for a few hours. Add 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter to the same container, and allow the combination, including butter to melt, surrounded by warm water. Pass the mixture through a cloth to strain.
Only produce small quantities, and carefully apply with fingertips to the baby’s navel area rub 1-2 times daily.
4. Caraway-oil massage
In addition to offering pleasant relaxation for your child, abdominal massages, using caraway oil help with uncomfortable bloating and flatulence. Add two drops of caraway oil to a glass of warm water, and use your fingers to apply to your baby’s abdomen. Start gently at the bottom of the tummy, and move slowly in a clockwise direction until reaching below the ribs.
Maintain steady and calm eye contact thought-out the massage. Massage baby’s stomach two to three times in a clockwise manner, and then cover baby with a warm blanket. Pay particular attention to the pressure you apply to infants, use only the thumb to maintain a gentle touch.
Toddlers and young children
5. Blueberry tea
Add 3 heaping Tablespoons of dried blueberries to a Pint of water, and cook over low heat, allowing simmering for 10 to 15 minutes, draining and drinking 1/4 to 1/2 half cup of this tea several times per day. This tea can easily be sweetened using honey or agave.
