Dr. Carole Keim talks about everything moms need in this episode. More specifically, everything that is needed for pregnancy, labor and delivery, the hospital, and post-partum. One of the most common questions asked is what to pack for the hospital. Dr. Keim answers that question, and many more, with insight, advice, and practical suggestions on which brands are the most useful to purchase. Expectant moms and new moms will find this episode invaluable, as will family members looking for purchases that can support moms.

Dr. Keim shares why moms need different clothing for each different stage of having a baby, from pregnancy to delivery, and offers suggestions on what to invest in and what not to bother with. She explains how breast sizes will increase, the differences in maternity pants, when compression socks are useful, what to expect during delivery in terms of what to wear, and how to deal with the immediate aftermath of the effects of having a baby. All the questions expectant moms have are addressed here.

In this episode:

Pregnancy

• Bras 
• Shirts
• Pants
• Don’t need: pajamas, swimsuit, dresses

Labor

• Labor gown (Lyla delivery gown)
• Slippers (crocs)
• Don’t need: really anything, you will probably end up naked by the end anyway

Postpartum

• Depends or overnight pads 
• Period undies
• Sweatpants or dresses
• Don’t need: pre-pregnancy clothing and bras (put them in a storage bin!) 

Bring in the hospital bag: 

• For mom: outfits with nursing access, nursing bra or tank tops, nipple cream, breast pump, hands-free pumping bra, super/overnight pads or depends, phone and charger, hard candies to suck on in labor, high-protein snacks and water bottle for after delivery, something to help pass the time like a book, slippers/socks, list of regular medications, toiletry bag, and a copy of The Baby Manual 
• For baby: outfits size preemie (if baby is measuring less than 10th %ile or SGA or IUGR), newborn (if baby is 10-90th %ile), or 0-3 months (baby measuring over 90th %ile or LGA), a warm hat, velcro swaddle blanket, car seat

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. She is pulling on the knowledge of hundreds of thousands of new parents, other pediatricians, doctor moms, the Academy of Pediatrics, and breaking pediatrics news sites. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments can be found in her book Holistic Mamas Handbook, and her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of a baby’s life. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby furniture in today’s episode. She summarizes the furniture needed for your baby as a place for your baby to sleep, a place to set your baby down in each room, some stuff to care for your baby’s everyday needs, stuff for travel, and some babyproofing items. But there are so many things on the market, how can you know what’s useful and what isn’t? That’s what this episode is about.

Dr. Keim talks about cribs and how 3-in-1 cribs are very useful but for the first 12 months of life, you don’t need that crib. You need a bassinet. So you can wait to buy the crib. She talks about what travel bassinets to invest in, what crib sheets work best, and even what kind of light works best in your baby’s room. For every one of your baby’s needs, Dr. Keim sorts through the furniture you need and when you actually need it, advising on what things can wait and what things aren’t even important. This guide will ensure you get the most useful things first and help you sort through all the furniture on offer.

In this episode:

Newborn sleep

• crib
• bassinet
• travel bassinet
• sheets
• Don’t get: any mesh for the crib, bumpers, pillows, blankets, white noise machine, blackout curtains, music for baby to fall asleep to, anything that hangs over the crib 

Furniture parents will use

• glider
• Boppy nursing pillow / nursing pillow
• changing table
• baby monitor - video type / walkie-talkie type
• Don’t get: baby bathtub, mobile

Places for baby to sit

• mamaroo
• baby swing
• bouncy chair
• exersaucer
• johnny jumpup
• bumbo seat
• Don’t get: activity mat, baby loungers that are a round or u-shaped pillow (suffocation risk), don’t leave babies unattended in any of these 

Travel

• playpen 
• portable seat with tray for feeding
• muslin baby blankets
• Baby carriers - ring sling / clip carrier
• Portable changing pad
• Don’t get: playpen with bassinet 

Babyproofing items

• outlet covers
• wall anchors
• baby gates - stairs and pools
• table corners
• other items - cabinet locks, doorknob covers, toilet seat locks
• Don’t get: those backpack things with a pillow behind their head for in case they fall backwards 

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. She is pulling on the knowledge of hundreds of thousands of new parents, other pediatricians, doctor moms, the Academy of Pediatrics, and breaking pediatrics news sites. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments can be found in her book Holistic Mamas Handbook, and her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of a baby’s life. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim is a pediatrician, mom, and author who helps new parents all over the world understand their babies and navigate the challenges that arise daily. In season four she will guide listeners in sorting through pregnancy, baby, and toddler items that are useful versus those that are a waste of time and money. The focus of today’s episode is baby clothing. What do you really need to clothe your baby and what is helpful? And what clothes are really just cute but not that functional or useful?

Dr. Keim talks about onesies, shirts and pants, socks and scratch mitts, sleepwear and outerwear, covering clothes from newborn to one year of age. She explains what’s the best for nighttime diaper changes, getting babies to sleep, and why scratch mitts don’t work the way we want them to. In every category, she explores what styles and brands offer ideal design elements, what to consider about safety and comfort, and the reality of what a baby will truly wear without it falling off. Her guidance will show new parents exactly what to spend money on and what can be ignored for an easy first year of dressing your baby.

In this episode:

Onesies

• Short sleeve: no leg, with 3 snaps in the crotch
• Long sleeve: long legs, fold-over sleeves, 2-way zippers

Separates (shirts/pants)

• Kimono shirts with fold-over sleeves (newborn size only)
  • From 1 month to 1 year old, shirts are useless and potentially dangerous
• Pants

Feet/hands

• Socks
• Slippers
• Shoes
• Scratch mitts

Sleepwear

• Swaddle (newborn)
• Merlin sleep suit (approximately age 1-4 months)
• Sleep sack (age 4-12 months)
• Can use blankets after 1 year of age, pillows after 2 years of age 

Outerwear

• Winter hat
• Summer hat
• Leg warmers
• Jacket
• Swim diaper
• Hooded bath towel

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. She is pulling on the knowledge of hundreds of thousands of new parents, other pediatricians, doctor moms, the Academy of Pediatrics, and breaking pediatrics news sites. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments can be found in her book Holistic Mamas Handbook, and her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of a baby’s life. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim is a pediatrician, mom, and author who helps new parents all over the world understand their babies and navigate the challenges that arise daily. The first year of a baby’s life is the focus of Season 1 of this podcast, ages one to three is the focus of Season 2, and holistic and supportive care is the focus of Season 3. Now Dr. Keim welcomes listeners to Season 4 where she will focus on talking about baby items that are actually needed. She will guide listeners in sorting through pregnancy, baby, and toddler items that are useful versus those that are a waste of time and money. 

In this first episode, Dr. Carole Keim shares a list of items that should be bought while they’re on sale. Black Friday is just around the corner and sales tend to pop up close to major holidays. These items are divided into categories from things for pregnant moms, items useful to have before a baby is born, items for toddlers, and general household items. Dr. Keim takes listeners through the basics to let us know which things should be purchased when they’re on sale, which things to get secondhand, which things to buy new, and which things the brand actually matters. 

In this episode:

Pregnant mom items: 

• Elvie breast pump | Willow breast pump
• Hands-free pumping bra
• Breastfeeding bras / shirts 
• Lila delivery gown 
• Pregnancy pillow
• Compression socks
• Bamboobies 
• Spanx
• Bombas socks
• Packages of services - maternity/birth/newborn photos, prenatal massages
• The Baby Manual

Expecting baby items (stuff for your baby, if you’re still pregnant)

• Crib (3 in 1)
• Crib mattress
• Snoo
• Changing table
• Glider
• Doona Car seat and stroller
• Diaper bag
• High chair
• Baby food maker/processor
• Formula maker (Baby Brezza)
• Hatch sound machine
• Ubbi diaper pail
• Nipples, bottles
• Diaper covers (cloth diapers)
• Baby carrier (ring sling)
• Pack n Play
• Travel bassinet clamshell
• Electric nasal sucker 
• Mamaroo

Toddler items (stuff for your baby, if your baby is already born and under 1 year old)

• Silicone plates, cups, bibs
• Plasticware
• Toddler car seat (Graco 4ever Extend2Fit) or rotating car seat
• LifeVac
• TushBaby carrier
• Nugget couch
• Montessori climbing gym
• RideSafer vest
• Kiwi Crates
• Holistic Mamas Handbook

General household items (that will help the whole family and/or spouse gift ideas)

• Dyson vacuum
• Roomba 
• TV
• Bug-A-Salt
• FitBit
• Tushy bidet / toto washlet / other bidet system 
• The Meater thermometer
• KicKee Pants / primary pajamas
• Mini fridge 
• Heated vest
• AirPods Pro (noise cancelling)
• Loop earplugs
• Baby carrier shirts
• New cookware 
• Exergen thermometer
• Air fryer

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. She is pulling on the knowledge of hundreds of thousands of new parents, other pediatricians, doctor moms, the Academy of Pediatrics, and breaking pediatrics news sites. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments can be found in her book Holistic Mamas Handbook, and her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of a baby’s life. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim talks about the all-important subject of sleep in this episode. Sleep is a frustrating thing as a new parent which is why there is so much sleep advice and so many sleep books available. Dr. Keim will break down what sleep patterns are normal at different ages and give information on different ways to help babies (and parents, by extension) sleep well. 

All babies are different and what works for one baby’s sleep may not work for another. But there are normal sleep patterns for different ages and Dr. Keim clears up confusion around those necessary patterns. She explains why babies crave the rocking and contact of being held as opposed to being laid in a bed to sleep and offers advice on how to slowly get them accustomed to the change. From night feeding to sleep positions to not using your phone in your baby’s room to all the different alternative healing modalities that have been shown to be helpful in promoting sleep, Dr. Keim gives the key information parents need on the topic of sleep. 

In this episode:

Sleep  (00:27)

• Intro: helping babies sleep at night is one of the most difficult and frustrating things as a new parent.  All babies are different.  What’s normal at different ages: 
  • Newborns cluster feed and wake at least once every 2-3 hours 
  • For the first 2 months of life, a baby can’t sleep more than 4 hours 
  • From 2-6 months it’s ok to let them sleep longer, but most still wake 2-3x at night to feed
  • From 6-9 months, allowed to sleep as long as they want, typically wake 1-2x per night, worse when teething
  • From 9-12 months, can start offering water at night. Feeding higher fat/protein meals at dinner time can help them sleep better.
  • After 12 months, they don’t need milk at night, only water if they wake up, and reassure for night waking.  Cosleeping will make you both get worse sleep, and remember a thin blanket is ok, but no thick blankets and no pillows til age 2. Sleeping with a tight shirt can help curb breastfeeding at night.  
• Western -  graduated or progressive extinction method.  “Cry it out” is not recommended due to emotional trauma.  Melatonin is not recommended on a regular basis; can be used intermittently when traveling (jet lag) but not more than 2-3 days.  Also a consistent bedtime routine helps - run/play, brush teeth, bath, reading/singing, low lighting, avoid screens x 2h before bed.  
• TCM - pediatric acupuncture (shonishin) and Chinese herbs can both help with sleep.  Speak to a pediatric acupuncturist for specific recommendations.
• Chiro - pediatric chiropractic and craniosacral therapy can help your baby or child sleep better.  Chiropractic is built around relaxing and resetting the nervous system, so regular adjustments tend to be really helpful for sleep.  
• Nutrition/supplements - Eating a dinner high in fat and protein and low in sugar at least 2 hours before bedtime, magnesium supplements (check with a doctor for dosing), chamomile tea over age 1 or for breastfeeding moms; can give a spoonful of chamomile tea under age 1 (no honey!) 
• Homeopathy - aconitum napellus, arsenicum album, belladonna, china officinalis, chamomilla, calcarea carbonica, and pulsatilla.  Note: not supported by western science; speak to a CCH for specific recommendations.  
• Aromatherapy - Can diffuse oils or dilute in a carrier oil and rub onto baby’s back and feet.  The best oils for sleep are Roman chamomile, German chamomile, neroli, tangerine, pettigrain, and lavender.  Lavender can be stimulating in children; if this seems to be the case, try chamomile oil instead.

End of season; stay tuned for more in the future!

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, which can be ordered here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of your 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:

• There is more information like this in the Holistic Mamas Handbook.  You can order the Holistic Mamas Handbook on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon
• Dr. Keim’s Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby’s skin today, specifically baby acne and diaper rash. She explains what causes each irritation as well as how they typically present. She then goes through Western and alternative medicines that offer relief or healing. 

Baby acne often starts in the first month or so of a baby’s life. There are several causes for baby acne and it will typically cover the face and upper chest. There are ways to soothe it or help it heal faster but, as Dr. Keim says, it’s “self-limited” and goes away on its own. Diaper rash is extremely common and there isn’t just one type that babies can get. The redness and irritation can get colonized with yeast or it may be one of two types of bacterial infections worsening the rash. Dr. Keim details what to look for with each type of diaper rash, when to contact a doctor, and all of the prevention and curative measures offered by healing modalities.

In this episode:

Baby Acne (00:45)

• Symptoms: pimples on face and upper chest. Caused by a combination of hormones, dryness, and irritation.  Hormones cause increased oil production, dryness causes sebaceous glands to produce more oil to moisturize skin, oil gets trapped in the pores and becomes acne.  Being overheated or sweaty will do the same thing.  Dirt, too much lotion, and regurgitated milk can irritate the skin and block the pores, making acne flare up more.  
• Western -  typically no treatment; keep baby clean but don’t wash too often (1-2x per week) so skin doesn’t get too dry.  Keep room temp 68-72 degrees so they don’t overheat.  No need to change diet.  Call your doctor if your baby has pimples that are larger than 2mm across, if the lesions are filled with clear fluid or yellow pus, if the pimples are in clusters, or if you aren’t sure if it’s baby acne or something else.
• Acu/traditional Chinese medicine - acupuncture doesn’t specifically treat baby acne, but can decrease overall inflammation, and someone certified in Chinese herbalism may be able to recommend topical treatments
• Chiro - n/a
• Nutrition/supplements - can put breastmilk on baby’s skin 
• Homeopathy - calendula cream topically; no oral remedies 
• Aromatherapy - Calendula oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, and tea tree oil may be mixed into a carrier oil and applied topically 

Diaper Rash (08:19)

• Symptoms: caused by moisture + friction; most babies will have one at some point. Starts with redness/irritation of skin but can get colonized / super infected with yeast or bacteria.  Candida rash (yeast) has satellite lesions.  Bacterial has boils.  Strep butt (perianal strep infection) is a bright red circle around the anus and happens in older children.  
• Western -  prevention (decreased likelihood, sometimes you can’t prevent it!) involves changing diaper as soon as it’s wet/poopy, use water wipes after each poop, apply diaper cream (zinc oxide based vs petroleum), air it out, don’t use baby powder.  If not improving within 2-3 days with these treatments, it might be colonized/infected.  Nystatin cream for candida, mupirocin for bacterial - both are used 3x per day; use regular cream in between.  Oral amoxicillin for perianal strep.  
• Acu/TCM - acupuncture doesn’t treat diaper rash; chinese herbs may be helpful, check with a pediatric acupuncturist
• Chiro - n/a
• Nutrition/supplements - acidic foods make it worse (strawberries, citrus, tomatoes).  Probiotics can help.  
• Homeopathy - calendula cream topically; borax veneta, calendula officinalis, cantharis, merc sol, nitric acid, and sulphur can be given by mouth, or dissolved in water and applied topically.  
• Aromatherapy - nothing for regular/irritant rash.  For candida, can use oregano, geranium, or tea tree in a carrier oil.  For bacterial, can use tea tree or lemongrass in an oil on the boils.  

Also in the Holistic Mamas Handbook: ringworm, cradle cap 

Refer to last week’s episode about eczema 

Next week: Sleep!

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, which can be ordered here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of your 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:

• There is more information like this in the Holistic Mamas Handbook.  You can order the Holistic Mamas Handbook on Amazon
• The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon
• Dr. Keim’s Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim explores the topics of allergies and eczema in this episode. She defines what each disease is and what typically causes their appearance. All your questions about what symptoms to look for in your infant or child as well as how you can treat allergies and eczema when discovered will be answered by Dr. Keim.  

Allergies, eczema, and asthma are called atopic diseases and tend to run in families. So if there’s a family member that has either allergies or eczema or asthma, or multiples of these, your child is at higher risk of developing them. Dr. Keim explains the science behind the reactions and symptoms before detailing exactly what types of medicines or interventions are safe and effective. While there are many Western medicine treatments available, holistic alternatives do exist and Dr. Keim explains which are safest to pursue.

In this episode:

Allergies (01:10)

• Symptoms: allergic cascade: antigen binds to IgE (produced by B cells which are white blood cells), IgE binds to mast cells, and mast cells degranulate and release histamine and other cytokines (cellular chemicals) that cause blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid into surrounding tissue, which causes symptoms of nasal congestion, watery eyes, runny nose, and mucus in airways / cough; histamine also causes itching, rashes/hives, and spasm of airways causing wheezing. Severe allergic reactions can make the blood pressure drop dangerously low from the blood vessels dilating and can cause severe airway spasm and swelling - this is known as anaphylaxis.  Parents who have allergies/asthma/eczema (atopic diseases) are more likely to have a child with allergies, but it’s often to different things than the parents are allergic to.
• Western - avoid allergen (keep the house clean, use HEPA filters, avoid pets, wash off after being outside, avoid foods and medications you’re allergic to); we work backwards / up the allergic cascade: antihistamines, steroids, mast cell stabilizers, anti-IgE injections, allergy shots (which contain small amounts of what your child is allergic to and are gradually increased to retrain the immune system into recognizing it as ok); epinephrine for anaphylaxis to reverse the vasodilation and bronchospasm
• Acu - decreases overall inflammation, great for environmental allergies 
• Chiropractic - can help with overall wellness and inflammation, but doesn’t specifically treat allergies.  
• Nutrition/supplements -  none in the US other than avoiding foods you’re allergic to (nuts, fish, and shellfish will cross-react with others in the same group, and milk will cross-react with soy); outside the US they do sublingual immune therapy which is kind of like allergy shots but the antigen is given orally, but this has a risk for anaphylaxis. 
• Homeopathy - whatever the allergen is 
• Oils - eucalyptus/peppermint in a diffuser, lavender and tea tree topically (anti-inflammatory) 

Eczema  (23:01)

Symptoms: dry skin, rash, itching; more common on surfaces that rub (cheeks and extensor surfaces in babies, flexor surfaces in older children) 

• Western - keep skin moisturized (emollients like vaseline or aquaphor for dry skin, unscented lotion on a daily basis), avoid scented lotions/soaps/detergents, wash new clothes before wearing them, steroid cream
• Acu - decreases overall inflammation and can help 
• Chiropractic -  can help with overall wellness and inflammation, but doesn’t specifically treat eczema 
• Nutrition/supplements -  avoid allergenic foods (wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, fish), consider hydrolyzed formula, limit sugar in older children, add more fresh fruit/veggies/fiber to decrease inflammation, vitamin C, Vitamin D.  
• Homeopathy -  calendula cream, pine tar soap, antimonium crudum, graphites, sulphur 
• Oils -  can try topical oils in a carrier - lavender, chamomile, oregano, tea tree - sometimes topical oils or the carrier oil will make eczema worse 

Also in Holistic Mamas Handbook: asthma, nosebleeds (can be related to allergies) 

Next week: baby acne and diaper rash! 

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, which can be ordered here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of your 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.  You can order the Holistic Mamas Handbook here: https://amzn.to/3rlXhb7
• The Baby Manual is available on Amazon
• Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

Dr. Carole Keim talks about constipation and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in this episode. Dr. Keim details how to tell if your infant or child is truly constipated and what can be done to help alleviate the discomfort, as well as what to look for if you suspect a UTI. Her advice includes all holistic options that are applicable to alternative care.  

The rate of true constipation in infants under a year old is very rare, roughly 3% of babies. But that changes when children are older than a year. Constipation can become a lot more common as children age. Dr. Keim explains all the science, medical information, and care options for constipation and she also explains that children who are constipated are more likely to also get UTIs, which is why this episode is about both topics. UTIs tend to be more common in summer and in girls, but Dr. Keim explains that they can happen throughout the year and to boys as well. The information in this episode will ensure you are prepared to assist your child through either condition, should they arise.

In this episode:

Constipation (00:32)

• Symptoms: poorly defined; decreased number of poops with harder texture. Pellets in the diaper.  Note: discoordinate stooling happens at 4-6 weeks of age and is a normal phase they go through; your baby isn’t constipated at this age!  
• Western - in first 6 months just increase amount of feeds (don’t add water until they are eating foods) and talk to your doctor about possible food allergy/intolerance; when they start solids start offering 1oz of water for each 1oz of food; avoid milk at 1 year of age; increase water intake in children 6 months and older, prune juice as a medicine, increase fiber, P foods (pears, plums, peaches), polyethylene glycol (miralax), belly massage, tummy time, warm compresses to abdomen.  
• Acu - acupuncture and herbs can help 
• Chiro - yes 
• Nutrition/supplements - high fiber foods, fiber supplements, psyllium, dried apricots, prebiotics, probiotics 
• Homeopathy - speak with a CCH, they need to look at the constellation of symptoms 
• Aromatherapy - Ginger, fennel, peppermint, rosemary, lemon, and lavender oil may help - in a diffuser or mixed with a carrier oil and rubbed onto the abdomen.  Also any of these, or castor oil on a warm wet washcloth on the abdomen can help.  Don’t give EOs or castor oil by mouth; EOs are potentially poisonous and castor oil is very irritating to the gut and no longer recommended.
• Yoga can also help with constipation - check out videos on youtube! 

UTI  (21:00)

• Symptoms: urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria (pain with urination), bed wetting in a potty trained child, fever in infants (warrants immediate medical intervention). There shouldn’t be blood; if there is blood in the urine that also warrants immediate medical check.  Test is urinalysis.  Constipation can lead to UTIs in children; also being in a wet diaper or swimsuit too long, tight clothing/sweating in the summer, and bubble baths.  
• Western -  antibiotics, increase fluids, phenazopyridine / pyridium / AZO in older children, plain water baths 
• Acu - acupuncture and herbs can help 
• Chiro - no 
• Nutrition/supplements - limit sugar and dairy, low acidity foods (limit citrus and tomatoes), cranberry juice or supplements, probiotics 
• Homeopathy - not recommended
• Aromatherapy - not recommended

Also in Holistic Mamas Handbook: pinworms (the most common cause of itchy butt in children!)

Next week: Allergies and eczema!

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, which can be ordered here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of your 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.  You can order the Holistic Mamas Handbook here: https://amzn.to/3rlXhb7
• The Baby Manual is available on Amazon
• Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off
• Pediatric chiropractors: icpa4kids.com
• Dr. Keim’s juiceplus+ link

--

Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

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

Dr. Carole Keim talks about colic and reflux in this episode. She explains what they are and explores how different modalities can help alleviate your baby’s discomfort. There are supportive and alternative care options that Dr. Keim doesn’t often get a chance to address in the office but can present here.    

Dr. Keim defines a baby with true colic as one who cries for “three hours per day, three days per week, for three weeks”, or the rule of threes. The cause of colic is still largely unknown but common understanding links it to gas in the intestines. Dr. Keim lays out all the options for alleviating your baby’s colic distress. Reflux, or when stomach contents come up into the esophagus of young babies, is mainly treated with non-medicinal measures, a variety of which Dr. Keim explains.    

In this episode:

Colic (00:52)

• Symptoms: Rule of 3s: 3 hours per day, 3 days per week, for 3 weeks. Peaks at 4-6 weeks of age.
• Western -  Nonmedical: burp baby every 5 minutes if breastfeeding or after each 1oz if bottle feeding, tummy time, bicycle legs / up and downs, belly massage (clockwise) or back massage (counterclockwise). Medicines: probiotics, simethicone (OTC).
• Acu - both acupuncture and chinese herbs can help with colic; check with a pediatric acupuncturist
• Chiro - helps with colic
• Nutrition/supplements - probiotics, prebiotics (increase fruit/veggies if breastfeeding; formula and breastmilk have prebiotics in them), gripe water (not FDA regulated), chamomile/licorice/ginger/mint tea (mom can consume if breastfeeding; can make it 1/2 to 1/4 strength and give a spoonful 1-2x per day to baby).
• Homeopathy - chamomilla vulgaris, colocynthis, and lycopodium clavatum
• Aromatherapy - can use fennel, star anise, marjoram, ginger, roman chamomile, rosemary, and/or bergamot topically - mix the essential oil with a carrier oil and massage in a clockwise direction on the abdomen. Breastfeeding moms can consume 2-5 drops of peppermint, ginger, or chamomile oil in water and drink it; don’t give oral essential oils to babies

Reflux (09:19)

• Symptoms: spitting up (sometimes through the nose too), arching the back.  GERD is when the reflux is so bad that it causes other problems like severe pain, inability to gain weight / weight loss, or aspiration (choking).  All babies have reflux for 6-12 mos as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) matures.
• Western -  Nonmedical approaches: burp often, keep upright for 20-30 mins after feeds, avoid swinging/rocking/laying baby flat/belly massage for those 20-30 mins.  Can consider thickening feeds; check with your doctor first.  Medicine: ranitidine will decrease the acidity of stomach contents but doesn’t stop the reflux from happening, so still use supportive measures.
• Acu - both acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help
• Chiro - can help with reflux and spit ups
• Nutrition/supplements - thickened feeds, breastfeeding moms can decrease acidity by eating less acidic foods and avoiding chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods; ginger tea, chamomile tea, (only a spoonful of dilute tea for babies less than 1 year, or mom can drink the tea if she’s breastfeeding and it will get into breastmilk; can allow children over 1 year with reflux to drink ginger or chamomile tea, can use honey or sugar to sweeten it over 1 year of age)
• Homeopathy - antimonium crudium, chelidonium majus, nux vomica
• Aromatherapy - ginger, chamomile - mix in carrier oil, apply topically for babies under 1 year, can give a few drops of diluted oil orally for children over 1 year

Next week: vomiting/diarrhea!

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. For additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers, follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels. 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