thrush and ear infections - again! and ice water discussion

[Guest guest]

Hi Cora and Vicky - yes, with so many ways our culture disrupts the

digestive strength - it is a very wise observation on your part Cora,

this condition of multiple infections at once so common and so related

to low digestive fire.

 

From cold temp drinks alone, a basic protocol after childbirth the

hospital seems to think helps manage hot flashes or somehting, and the

natural childbirth movement promoting ice chips in labor etc ....if no

one to speak of has drawn the correlation before, why should they

believe it, eh? I find it best " on her territory " to be cautious how

I say it, instead of as an authority (which sometimes even I can't get

away with any respect for!).

 

They often listen more easily to " This reminds me of something I've

been studying in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine around childbearing,

and they are recommending that to minimize gas and bloating, and

maximize comfort and restoring digestive strength and appetite, to

favor room temp or warm/hot water works best. This sideways approach

honors them to enjoy their present moment so they don't feel judged or

divided, even if that wasn't your intent. We are all in it for the

long haul, so if they decide to experiment, it needs to be on their

own pace.

 

Then I might tell of someone I know who found it so, a client story,

if they are apperaring at all curious or open to listening. Then

further explanation might be along the lines of " they say we are

diluting the digestive " fire " as well as breaking the mind-body

integrity/connection which plays an important feedback loop to best

digestive sequence, something like that.

 

I always tell them I can feel it, personally notice the difference

which is signif for everyone, more sensitive issue for

fragile/postpartum weak digestive condition due to the body giveing of

its' " fires " or energy from everywhere available, and rather shutting

down the digestion around birth. Hence the so common conditions of

gas, indigestion, low appetite, and constipation immediately after

birth.

 

You can also share a story from an airplane pilot husband of a

previous client who remarked, " oh, pilots and stewardesses all know,

never give an asian person Iced water " (not that they know this now!).

And from a nurse-midwife at the birth center here who shared how

challenging it is for them when an Asian, Vietnamese, or the like have

a birth there in FL summer ... all AC, even all fans are turned off,

and EVERYONE is sweating while the mother enjoys the external calming

and soothing heat supporting her excessively expended internal fires

in that way.

 

A receptive client and team to work with makes such a difference - on

being able to make a difference and feeling your time and wisdom is

well spent. Otherwise we spend WAY more time educating, or trying to,

and helping them turn things around if they are willing to listen

then, the catch-up weeks later because the so easily prevented

problems from colic to weakened immune systems, depressed metabolism

and depression have sprouted.

 

Most often moms test these boundaries, and if I have their trust and

confidence, (I am usually checking with them daily how is their

appetite, digestion, elimination, rest, moods, bleeding, etc) then our

conversation is already about how little things can make a big

difference, and about when she had gas, etc, what she might have done

differently, and she is listening to my suggestions to try this,

change that one thing, because she has already seen several of these

little pieces so little known, make a difference. Not infrequently

I'll advise a mom to try this for just 2 - 3 days, when there is still

gas, digestive discomfort, phlegm, or some such: Drink only warm or

hot water or teas, no cold or even room temp water! They invariabley

report what a difference, and now are at least ready to respect the

room temp over ice!

 

Admittedly, usually I first got them off the ice, but the room temp

was still being guzzled too much and it was still shutting down

digestive fires. The hospital's instructions, especially after a C,

are take this 1 quart giant plastic ugly cup full of ice water with

the convenient (most definitely at first!) flexistraw home and drink 2

or more of them a day. I say, put your hot water or really weak

fennel fenugreek tea in this 1 quart thermous and keep the second half

of it in the fridge so you only have to warm it once. Drink all that

every day. Most moms actually love it. WAter also of course is fine

usually as desired.

 

This mom and baby with the thrush, ear infection, etc will hopefully

appreciate how lucky they are to have your help, Cora. For my babies

on the ear infection thing I found garlic oil and Ferrum Phos 6X

homeopathic pills (dissolve, easy to get baby to take) were my

Naturopath's recommendations, and it seemed to be the keys. That was

before i had essential oils to work with too. In the summer heat

especially, take care withthe Thievees and always dilute . Lavender

oil alone I've seen work wonders with babies, as mild/gentle

antimicrobial, also I love the Melaleuca alternifolia, gentler,

sweeter, and more calmoing still good broad spectrum antimicrobial,

for children - but with such a compound of issues including the

thrush, perhaps the Thieves is best. Maybe dilute with coconut oil, it

is so cooling! Really hot weather I'd consider chamomile as an ally,

anticandida as well as coolilng and digestive.

 

Most Welcome

Martha