Immediately following the arrival of your baby, regardless of how you delivered, Homeopathy can:
- greatly assist in repairing and healing; and
- ease the discomfort in the early stages of breastfeeding
Homeopathy can support a new mother as well as her baby.
How Homeopathy Can Help You?
Our practitioners are able to assist you in a range of different complaints that are commonly experienced by Mums shortly after childbirth including:
Musculoskeletal bruising, inflammation and pain
There are invaluable homeopathic remedies that can help relieve the aches and pains associated with the overexertion, shock, trauma and injury that your body can experience during childbirth.
Breast tenderness and Breastfeeding
Breast engorgement as the mother’s milk supply increases a couple of days after delivery can cause a lot of discomfort and can commonly lead to mastitis, which is a painful infection of the mammary glands in the breasts of lactating women.
Pain in the breasts or of the nipple in the early days of feeding could interfere with the regularity of feeds required to establish a good supply of milk. Homeopathy can assist in this process by reducing the discomfort, helping to relax Mum and prevent infection. Oxytocin is a hormone which is released when the baby nurses, and this hormone plays a very important role in establishing milk supply and reducing the uterus back to its normal size.
Reduced Supply of Breast Milk
A healthy diet with lots of fruit, vegetables, omega 3 fatty acides and ample water can help in increasing breast milk. For mothers who are still struggling with their supply, there are Homeopathic remedies that can be of use.
Afterpains
You may experience contraction-type pains which are caused by the contraction of the uterus as it reduces down to its pre-pregnancy size once the placenta has been expelled. These afterpains are generally worse during nursing, as breastfeeding leads to the secretion of the hormone, Oxytocin, which in turn causes the uterus to contract. Homeopathic remedies may assist with the following:
- A bruised sensation in the uterus, especially if the labour was prolonged
- When afterpains are accompanied by a headache, nervousness and a flushed, red face
- Relieving pelvic pain which worsens when walking or standing
- Intense afterpains that are felt in the lower abdomen, especially after a prolonged, exhausting labour
- When the afterpains are generally worse on the right side of the lower abdomen, in the rectum or bladder region and may radiate down the thighs
Emotional Changes Postpartum
It’s so important to speak to your Homepathic practitioner if you’re encountering emotional feelings that you aren’t used to. The early days with a newborn can be overwhelming, exhausting and a massive adjustment. Here are some really common experiences and feelings for new Mums:
- Changing hormones
- Sleep deprivation
- Pain or slowness to heal postpartum
- Possible disappointment at not experiencing the birth you hoped for
- Feelings of anxiety
- Low mood
- Anger and grief
All of the symptoms can be assisted if you’re prepared to ask for advice and help. Often just talking to someone who is sensitive to the way you are feeling will be beneficial and may release any pent up emotions.
Remember that there is a difference between ‘baby blues’ and Post Natal Depression. If you are experiencing mild depression, mood swings, feeling exhausted and irritable then it is likely that you are going through ‘baby blues’ which is fairly common. Concerning symptoms usually pass once the hormones balance out again after pregnancy and childbirth, provided you get sufficient rest, are eating a good diet and have a good support structure in place.
However, with Post Natal Depression, the symptoms are generally more severe and longer lasting, and my include the following
- Lack of interest in your baby
- Negative feelings towards your baby
- Worrying about hurting your baby
- Lack of concern for yourself
- Loss of pleasure
- Lack of energy and motivation
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Whether you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of ‘baby blues’ or Post Natal Depression, it may be hard to reach out and talk about these feelings, but it is important that you keep trying to talk, to anyone who will listen. Doing so could change your whole early experience of motherhood, making it the wonderful time it deserves to be.
Homeopathy For Your Child
Just as Homeopathy can be an incredibly valuable tool during pregnancy, childbirth and for postnatal healing, it can also assist throughout your child’s life.
Homeopathy may provide gentle relief for:
- Colic or trapped wind
- Teething
- Nappy rash
- Colds or other common conditions affecting young children
Homeopathy is a helpful hand throughout childhood. As your baby develops into a toddler, pre-schooler, teenager and young adult so you can consult our practitioners for any issues relating to what your child may be dealing with; be it emotional (temper tantrums, grief, fearfulness) or age-related conditions like growing pains, allergies, recurrent infections, skin conditions, menstrual irregularities or pain.
Homeopathic Remedies Designed For You
Our practitioners can prescribe customised homeopathics that have been developed to treat your individual complaints. How your body reacts and responds to the physical and emotional experience of childbirth is unique and as such your remedies will be individually tailored to provide you with the support that you need.
It is important to use all homeopathic remedies under the advice of a homeopathic practitioner to ensure the correct dosage and understanding of the possible side-effects or interaction with other medication you may be taking.
Our practitioners can also assist in educating you as to the common remedies to keep at home for your young children and how to prescribe for minor ailments like bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes and bites and stings.
