Tummy Aches and wind

Children's reactions to food from breast feeding to starting solids can seem to be a mystery to many parents. Why do they throw up after a feed, what gives them wind, why do they get constipated, or get diarrhoea so easily?

A child's metabolism is a delicate thing and being careful about the quality, quantity, time and place of food consumed will go along way towards preventing digestive imbalances.

The mother's intake of food and overall state of wellbeing contributes to the quality of breast milk and how well a baby feeds. Kapha predominant food such as milk, ghee, almonds, rice and dates are good for creating abundant, healthy breast milk. It is preferable to stir away from stimulating food such as chilli, onion and garlic, Vata increasing vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce and caffeinated drinks. However it is not only what the mother eats that influences feeding but how she feels. If she is restless and anxious, the baby will find it harder to settle on the breast and is more likely to have difficulties with wind. The Ayurvedic advice in most cases of babies with imbalances is that you treat the mother and then the problem with the child clears up.

For breast feeding difficulties it is important for the mother to pacifying Vata. This can be helped by her partner and extended family. She should be as rested as possible, avoid travel, favour a diet of warm, freshly cooked, easy to digest food and limit daily visitors wanting to handle the new baby. A gentle, warm, sesame oil massage for both the mother and baby will assist in balancing Vata and settling colic or wind. Fennel tea, sipped throughout the day by the mother can also soothe digestive problems in breast fed babies.

When starting your child off on solid food it is important for it to be easy to digest. This does not simply mean mushy. Bananas and avocados squish up easily and can seem to be a good start for babies however they are heavy in nature and while the baby's digestive system is still getting used to food they can cause tummy aches and constipation. Mashed zucchini, stewed apples and cooked grains that are light in nature such as couscous or semolina are easy to digest. Freshly cooked food is ideal as it contains the most nutritional value. Food that has been cooked, then frozen and then reheated has less of its original life force and is less satisfying to eat.

If your child gets constipated easily ensure that their food is warm, light and soupy. A warm oil massage for your child before a bath can help relax the digestive system and keep your child regular. Soaked raisins, figs and prunes are also helpful for toddlers and older children. Avoid bananas, potato and have avocado only in small amounts until the problem clears.

Children with a tendency towards diarrhoea should reduce Pitta increasing foods such as tomatoes, oranges, corn and spicy tastes. Favouring cooling foods such as zucchini, squash, coconut milk, cow's milk and grains such as rice, couscous and semolina will also help to restore balance. If a child has had long periods of diarrhoea it is important to introduce food again slowly. Keep it plain and light until your child has recovered; steamed basmati rice is gentle on the system and is a good food to start with.

Constipation is due to excess Vata while aggravated Pitta can result in diarrhoea. Looking at the bigger picture is an essential part of Ayurveda. Situations involving change, travel, excitement and overstimulation can create irregularities and imbalances in the digestive system. Emotions of anxiety, fear, anger or grief can also impact on how your child digests their food causing tummy aches or lack of interest in food altogether. Keeping a predictable routine of meals and bedtime, using Ayurvedic aroma oils and teas and spending time in nature can help to maintain balance in times of change or emotional upheaval.

Wendy Rosenfeldt is a Maharishi Vedic Health Educator, Maharishi Ayur-veda (R) Consultant and teacher of Transcendental Meditation. Wendy gives personal Ayurvedic consultations and runs seminars in all areas of Maharishi Ayurveda specializing in women's and children's health.
For more information email wendy.rosenfeldt@invincibleaustralia.org www.wendyrosenfeldt.com