First Aid in Homeopathy for Infants: In considering first aid for infants and young children, we must stress

that the need to involve skilled medical attention at the earliest possible stage is vital, especially in cases which are life threatening for example, where dehydration is concerned in cases of fever, diarrhoea and /or vomiting; or where earache persists or in cases of heat or sun stroke or burns or blows to the head. Homeopathic dosage in Children: For children too young to accept a tablet under the tongue, it can be dissolved in pure spring water or the remedy may be obtained as a liquid and added to a drink. BUMPS AND BRUISES : Cold compresses and rest are recommended as a first aid measure along with: Arnica : Every 15 minutes after an injury until pain is reduced is the recommendation Ruta g : If bones are bruised, apply distilled witch hazel or corn frey it if bones / joints are involved (sprains). A Calendula compress (fresh flowers crushed or prepared as an infusion) helps heal bruises rapidly. COLIC : Warm or mildly hot compresses to the abdomen help soothe the pain of colic. If child is irritable: Colocynthis ; if doubled up in pain: Magnesia phosphoric ; if combined with nausea (vomiting): Ipecac . CROUP : There are 3 main remedies for croup, Aconite can be used for particularly violent and sudden cough which are often worse at night. For harsh coughs, that sound like sawing through wood, Spongia is the remedy and for a rattling chest with thick yellow-green mucus, possibly marked by irritability and chilliness use Hepar sulphur . DIARRHOEA : Give the child a lot of liquid, avoid solid food. Once the frequency of stool is reduced give apple-puree (no sugar), fresh yoghurt in small amounts, boiled and mashed fruits. Gradually return to semi-solid and then solid food. Infant strain "friendly bacteria" (bifidobacteria infantis ) which is obtainable from any good health food store , is extremely useful in normalizing the intestinal tract of young children following an infection of food poisoning, especially if anti-biotics have been used to cure it . In children who have been weaned, standard acidophilus should be used . A quarter tea spoon full twice daily in water away from mealtimes for a week is suggested Homoeopathic remedies most frequently indicated are " Arsenicum album, China and Aloe socortina ", but others might be needed depending on the individual characteristics of the sufferer call an expert.

ENURESIS : Involuntary urination during sleep China ---- when the child does not awaken even after passing urine and has worms Belladonna ----when the child urinates during deep sleep. Gelsemium ---when even during the day the urge is imperative. Verbascum Q --- 3-4 drops daily are found to be very helpful. FEVER : Call a doctor; ensure lots of liquid is consumed at regular intervals. Medicines indicated are: Fever of sudden onset, very thirsty, restless Aconite If very red and agitated, use Belladonna Dry heat, intense thirst worse on movement Bryonia album Fells chilly and can not get warm Nux-vomica Very weepy; can not be left alone, not thirsty Pulsatilla All remedies should be taken four hourly until symptoms improve. HEAT OR SUN STROKE : If symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headache appear along with elevated temperature and dry or red skin with history of exposure to strong sun and high temperature, the chances are that sun stroke or heat stroke exists. Call for medical help; apply cool or tepid water to the head, neck, chest and back using towels or sponging. If the temperature is very high, elevate the head while the child is in bed and apply a cold compress to the fore head, neck while sponging the rest of the body with tepid water. No food should be eaten but water and unsweetened juices should be drunk. If the child has been exposed to heat and has some of the symptoms listed but the temperature is only slightly raised with exhaustion, cold clammy skin, then child should rest receive cool sponging and have nourishing mineral rich soups and broths to replenish lost mineral salts. Medicines indicated are: Glonoine : It is the chief remedy if the fever is high, should be repeated 2 hourly. Belladonna : When there is high fever, severe headache, red face, red eyes. Natrum mur : When there is fever and headache etc.

HICCUPS : Place a warm towel (wrung out in hot but not scalding water) over the abdomen /diaphragm area, re apply after 5 minutes or so. If hiccup continues a warm water or fruit juice drink may also resolve the problem. In serious diseases hiccup is often indicative of collapse but in hysteric or dyspeptic patients it is not serious and can be easily controlled. Ginseng Q is the best remedy for hiccups . Nux vomica : when it is due to indigestion. Cuprum-m : when it is due to spasm with nausea. LATE IN LEARNING TO WALK : Some times , a child does not start to walk until very late sixteen months or even later, despite the absence of any neurological disability, homoeopathy can help in such instances Calcarea carbonica : It is for fearful children who have poor muscle tone and are often overweight Causticum : Also lacks the necessary muscle tone Sulphur : Does not want to make any effort, he does not care about walking and is quite happy to remain in his lazy state of bliss Baryta carbonica : He does not understand how much joy he will get from walking Agaricus is awkward and clumsy Natrum muriaticum : He does not want to leave its mother in order to follow the father, while " Silica " is unnerved by strangers and refuses to go towards them. LATE IN LEARNING TO SPEAK : When the father is silent or absent , the child has difficulty finding its bearings and speaking its own truth , so that speech is significantly delayed , the remedy for this is often " Natrum muriaticum " particularly if the child is thin introverted loves salt and avoids the sun (symbol of the father in children's drawings ) other remedies for delayed speech include , Agaricus where a disability means the child has physical problems in speaking, later he will set out in search of the perfect words by writing poetry Baryata carbonica is intellectually slow, while Nux moschata prefers to sleep rather than confront the dangerous real world, Belladonna is stuck in the oral stage and can't progress. MOTION SICKNESS : Pressure on the inner fore arm two thumb widths above the center of the wrist can reduce symptoms of travel sickness and other forms of nausea; "sea- band" straps which press on the area can be purchased at health stores and pharmacies. Eating ginger (crystallized) or taking ginger capsules and avoid reading while traveling reduces occurrence of motion sickness.

Cocculus or Tabacum taken before the journey can be helpful. SUN BURN : Applying Calamine or Calendula ointment to affected areas or bathing the skin in black tea infusion or using a solution containing bicarbonate of soda over sun burns provides relief. A thick liquid consistency is needed for the latter, mix water slowly with the powder to form a paste and then a thick solution which can be applied to the sun burnt skin. Belladonna : if skin is flushed; if blistered " Cantharis " can be used. A few drops of the essential oils of chamomile and lavender used directly on to irritated skin will soothe and promote healing. It is safe to use oils on children's skin provided no allergy to the substance exists. TEETHING PROBLEMS : During dentition one or the other malady always troubles the child. If the child is cross and irritable and wants to be nursed, use " C hamomila " (also for similar symptoms associated with colds and diarrhoea) Chamomilla the best remedy if the child is peevish and has green and yellow watery stools. Calcarea phos : dentition will be much easier if 2 to 3 grains of this medicine are given daily to the child. If weepy, clinging Pulsatilla . ULCERS IN THE MOUTH : Borax is the best remedy in white ulcers . VOMITING: Make sure the child eats nothing and sips liquid frequently . Homoeopathic treatment would be " Ipecac " or (if there is unproductive retching) " Nux vomica ". WEEPING : Psorinum : when the child weeps all day and night; L ycopodiu m : when the child weeps in the day and sleeps in the night; Cuprum met : when the child behaves as if choking his respiration due to anger during weeping.