Dr. Carole Keim discusses vomiting and diarrhea in this episode, explaining the causes and symptoms of each. Beyond Western medicine treatment, Dr. Keim dives into alternative and holistic options for the treatment of both vomiting and diarrhea in babies and toddlers.  

Vomiting and diarrhea can often appear together, caused by viral infections, but vomiting alone can be a red flag for issues beyond infection, especially in older children. Dr. Keim details what to look for if your child is vomiting and how best to treat the symptoms. While the medical community isn’t fully in agreement on how to define diarrhea, it is essentially looser and more frequent stools. Dr. Keim explains the various colors that can appear in a baby’s stool and when they should see a doctor versus when holistic options may be useful.

In this episode:

Vomiting (02:38)

• Symptoms: Forceful expulsion of stomach contents; different than spitting up. Note: if vomit is green that indicates bile and may be a sign of obstruction and warrants immediate medical attention. 
• Western -  we typically don’t treat vomiting in children as it keeps the infection in longer; focus on liquids (small sips at a time - broth, tea, watered-down juice, oral rehydration solution), popsicles, smaller light meals of bland foods 
• Acu - acupuncture and herbs can help
• Chiro - can help with overall wellness and inflammation, but doesn’t specifically treat this. 
• Nutrition/supplements - ginger, small sips of liquids, bland foods; for viral infections, supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, Vitamin D, and Elderberry can help boost the immune system and heal the body faster.  
• Homeopathy - antimonium crudum 
• Aromatherapy - ginger, peppermint, lavender, fennel seed, lemon, rose - either in a diffuser or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed on the abdomen

Diarrhea (11:25)  

• Symptoms: poorly defined but more frequent and looser stools; poop that soaks into the diaper.  Note: normal baby poop is very loose and yellow or green but sits on top of the diaper lining.  
• Western -  typically no medications as this can make the infection worse; BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), bland foods, limit juices or only give watered-down juice
• Acu - acupuncture and herbs can help
• Chiro - can help with overall wellness and inflammation, but doesn’t specifically treat this.
• Nutrition/supplements - for babies with green poop can do block feeding (twice on one breast, twice on the other) or mix pumped milk in the fridge to get more hind milk and less fore milk; older children avoid dairy and sugar, avoid fruits, give probiotics; For viral infections, supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, Vitamin D, and Elderberry can help boost the immune system and heal the body faster.  
• Homeopathy - china officianalis, arsenicum album, podophyllum peltatum 
• Aromatherapy - anise, fennel, peppermint, coriander, lemon balm, cardamom, cinnamon - either in a diffuser or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed on the abdomen. 

Next week: constipation and UTI!

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments come together in her new book, Holistic Mamas Handbook, launching on November 15, 2023. Pre-orders are available here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers the year one of baby’s life and is the subject of the first two seasons of this podcast. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers. And remember, it’s always okay to call your doctor or emergency services if you have concerns about your child’s health.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• More like this in the Holistic Mamas Handbook. Pre-order the Holistic Mamas Handbook, launch date 11/15/23
• The Baby Manual is available on Amazon
• Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off
• Pediatric chiropractors: icpa4kids.com

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Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram