Healthy Children

How to get your family through the cold and flu season

February 23, 2016 by Dr.Pam Leave a Comment

The most important action that you can take to arm your family against the flu is to strengthen the immune system. 80% of the immune system is located in the digestive system. Therefore the saying “you are what you eat” is very true. Here are some lifestyle habits that will strengthen the immune system:

eat whole live foods when possible (those that will go bad when left on the counter)
avoid highly processed food
get adequate rest
decrease stress

If someone in the family develops cold or flu symptoms, treat with homeopathy, supplements and home remedies. (contact a health care professional before taking herbs) I suggest that all of my patient’s families have the homeopathic flu remedy called oscillococcinum on hand to use at the first sign of cold and flu symptoms. Oscillococcinum can decrease the length and severity of the flu. Use as directed on the package. I routinely recommend homeopathy because it can be used in all ages, has no side effects and does not interfere with other medication.

Be well!

Dr. Pam

Introducing solid foods to your infant

February 23, 2016 by Dr.Pam Leave a Comment

baby-eating In my holistic pediatrics practice I routinely advise parents how to introduce solid foods to their infants. Parents want to know when and what to feed their baby. My advice is a little different from what they are used to hearing. I recommend pureed fruits and vegetables as first foods instead of rice cereal. To determine if a baby is ready for solids I instruct parents to put a very small piece of a banana is the baby’s mouth. If the baby is able to swallow the banana this shows a readiness for solids.

There are several sources that outline food introductions. One of my favorites is the “Child Health Guide” by Randall Neustaedter, OMD. I agree with the following recommendations by Dr. Neustaedter:

Age 5-6 months (pureed or mashed): organic egg yolk(no whites), bananas, steamed broccoli, yams or sweet potatoes, organic applesause, stewed prunes, organic carrots

Age 7-9 months (soft or mashed): vegetable soups, squash, peaches or nectarines, peas, avocados

Age 10-12 months (soft solid pieces): organic whole milk yogurt, chicken/turkey, blueberries, papaya, butter, cooked vegetable pieces, mangos

Age 12 months and older: oats, whole wheat breads and crackers, whole egg, oranges, melons, seedless grapes and raisins, spinach, tahini, cheese, cashew/almond butter, strawberries, peeled apples, corn, honey

Remember to only add one new food at a time over a 3-4 day period. This will enable parents to determine if the child has an allergic reaction to a particular food.

Back to School Health

August 21, 2012 by Dr.Pam

It is that time of the year when children are starting preschool/kindergarten or going back to school. What should parents do to prepare their children for the associated colds/viruses that they seem to develop after starting school? The answer is to strengthen their immune systems. This can be done naturally by encouraging a healthy whole food diet and ensuring that they get adequate rest.

The days are starting to get shorter so we should slow down activities for the entire family. Trying to keep up a hectic schedule along with the poor food choices that we make at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas sets us up for decreased immune function and subsequent infections.

There are a variety of supplements that can boost the immune system. Some of my favorites are vitamin D3, probiotics, Congaplex (Standard Process), Multiplus & LeVive (Ardyss). Remember to have Oscillococcinum on hand to take at the first sign of cold/flu symptoms.

Homeopathic Travel Kit

March 15, 2012 by Dr.Pam Leave a Comment

Parents frequently ask me to recommend homeopathic medicines that they should have while traveling. These can be taken by all members of the family (parents and children) Here is a list of commonly recommended homeopathic medicines that may be useful when traveling:

Allium Cepa-runny nose

Antimonium crudum- indigestion with nausea

Apis mellifica 15C- swelling from insect bites/hives

Arnica montana- trauma, bruises, sore muscles

Arsenicum album- traveler’s diarrhea

Cinchona officinalis- diarrhea with gas and bloating

Cocculus indicus- motion sickness

Ferrum phosphoricum- ear congestion/fluid

Ipecacuanha- nausea and vomiting

Nux vomica- heartburn or drowsiness after excessive eating or drinking

Podophyllus peltatum- diarrhea with intestinal growling

Urtica urens- skin rash due to food allergies

*Give 5 pellets under the tongue as needed (dosages are the same for all ages) Get 9C or closest available dilution.

Yours In Health,

Dr. Pam

Introducing solid foods to your infant

November 9, 2011 by Dr.Pam

In my holistic pediatrics practice, I routinely advise parents how to introduce solid foods to their infants. Parents want to know when and what to feed their baby. My advice is a little different from what they are used to hearing. I recommend pureed fruits and vegetables as first foods instead of rice cereal. To determine if a baby is ready for solids I instruct parents to put a very small piece of a banana is the baby’s mouth. If the baby is able to swallow the banana this shows a readiness for solids.

There are several sources that outline introductions of foods. One of my favorites is the “Child Health Guide” by Randall Neustaedter, OMD. I agree with the following recommendations by Dr. Neustaedter:

Age 5-6 months (pureed or mashed): organic egg yolk(no whites), bananas, steamed broccoli, yams or sweet potatoes, organic applesauce, stewed prunes, organic carrots

Age 7-9 months (soft or mashed): vegetable soups, squash, peaches or nectarines, peas, avocados

Age 10-12 months (soft solid pieces): organic whole milk yogurt, chicken/turkey, blueberries, papaya, butter, cooked vegetable pieces, mangos

Remember to only add one new food at a time over a 3-4 day period. This will enable parents to determine if the child has an allergic reaction to a particular food.