The first six months is a crucial period in the life of a newborn. Parents provide a lot of care and attention in ensuring the well-being of their baby. In traditional Indian homes, simple remedies, which have been passed down from generation to generation, are used to promote good health in a newborn. One of them is the use of the popular spice nutmeg.
Nutmeg has many medicinal properties. In addition to flavoring food, it serves as a remedy for various ailments. One might wonder how nutmeg can benefit a newborn. Here is the answer:
Nutmeg is an effective sedative, making it useful for treating abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation. During the first six months, most babies have trouble digesting breast milk as their digestive system is still immature and their gastrointestinal system is learning to function. Many babies due to this reason experience abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. Nutmeg helps relieve your aches and pains ensuring good health.
Nutmeg is very effective in treating indigestion. Relieves stomach aches and cramps by removing excess gas from the intestines. Most babies, even those who are breastfed, spit up occasionally. Spitting up commonly occurs when the baby does not burp properly. But when a baby spits up excessively and frequently, it is mainly due to indigestion. The use of nutmeg helps in good digestion in a newborn.
Nutmeg also improves appetite. The use of nutmeg can improve the appetite of newborns by promoting weight gain and growth.
Nutmeg is an effective brain tonic. It helps to achieve relaxation and induces a good sleep. Newborns sleep very little and for short periods. The use of nutmeg can help them sleep well, stay calm and relaxed.
Administration method and dosage:
Take a whole nutmeg and steam it along with the rice you cook at home for at least fifteen minutes. In India we do not use raw baby nutmeg so steaming is essential. Use a grinding stone (a small one with a flat surface used for making paste), be sure to wash it well in warm water and pat it dry with a napkin.
Add a few drops of milk (preferably breast milk) to the grinding stone and gradually rub the whole nutmeg in circular motions (4-5 times) to a smooth paste of about 1 ml. The paste should have a thin consistency similar to syrup.
This nutmeg potion with milk should be given to the baby at bedtime. You can give this for a few days or up to a month, whenever the child develops indigestion or has trouble sleeping. 0.5 ml for all babies up to 6 months. However, results may vary from baby to baby.
A tried and tested formula, this potion not only improves the health and appetite of newborns, but also strengthens immunity and promotes growth. When a newborn eats well and sleeps well, parents definitely feel happy and mothers, especially, are less stressed. So here is the secret behind a happy and healthy baby. Try it and share it. Happy fatherhood!