As a pediatrician, I know there are times when a prescription or over-the-counter medication can save a life. So I would never advocate the elimination of synthetic chemical pharmaceuticals. In fact, I consider many of them among the greatest inventions of the last century.
However, I also know that many medications are overused, unnecessary, and often ineffective. Therefore, when it’s appropriate, I often advise the parents of my little patients to try natural remedies first for the minor ailments of childhood before moving on to anything more potent.
Here are a few simple green solutions to common infant problems:
Diaper rash. Ouch! This most common infant ailment calls out for treatment and fast relief. Soon the medicine cabinet fills with ointments, creams, and powders. However, many of these products offer a solution that’s worse than the problem. Talc powder, for example, used to be a standard item in many bathrooms. But we now know that talc-based powders contain tiny particles that irritate the skin and the delicate tissues of the lungs. (As an aside, several studies have linked talc to ovarian cancer.)
Conventional diaper creams and ointments too often contain parabens and other questionable preservatives and harsh chemicals. The parabens are known to have estrogen-like effects, and the long-term impact is yet unknown. I see no reason to use them on babies (or for that matter on pregnant or nursing moms: parabens also get into breast milk). Better alternatives are available.
Remedy. Fresh air! A baby’s bottom needs air to stay smooth and avoid irritation. As often as practical, each day, allow your baby to go diaper free. And change diapers frequently to keep the skin dry. If a rash should develop, I recommend soothing zinc diaper balm or an A, D, and E ointment made without harsh chemicals.
Colds You can clean out the medicine cabinet of decongestants and antihistamines for your baby. There is no evidence that they reduce congestion, runny nose, or sneezing in young children.7 But they can cause side effects that affect both the health of the baby and the environment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that such cough and cold medications are no more effective than a placebo for reducing acute cough and other symptoms in children younger than two years, and the American College of Chest Physicians has advised health care professionals against using cough suppressants and other over-the-counter cough medications for young children because of actual deaths documented with their use. These deaths were related to dosages high above the recommended amount, but nevertheless, these products present a risk with little if any benefit.2
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