Dill is one of the most beneficial herbs that nature offers to humans. People have long noticed its beneficial effects on the body and used it to treat various diseases. Dill water is the very first natural medicine for babies to relieve colic.
Dill water for babies
Benefits of dill water
Dill comes from Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. Even the ancient Egyptians and Romans valued it for its medicinal properties. It is an aromatic herb that is 86% water and is a source of amino acids, carbohydrates and fiber. It also contains healthy minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. In addition, the herb is rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6. The essential oil derived from dill contains flavonoids and beta-carotene, which are very beneficial for health.
Dill plant
Dill has the following beneficial properties:
- Acts as a vasodilator, helps to restore blood flow and strengthen the cardiovascular system;
- It is an antispasmodic, helping to eliminate digestive spasms.
- Effectively fights constipation;
- The bactericidal effect of dill helps to restore the intestinal flora;
- Has a calming effect. It is a cardiotonic agent that protects the heart and fights insomnia;
- It has bronchodilator and expectorant properties that help to naturally expel phlegm.
Important! For babies, dill medicine is used primarily for problems with the tummy.
In what form is it available for sale
Dill is sold in pharmacies and baby food stores.
At the pharmacy
In the pharmacy, you can buy a drug called "Dill water". It is an essential oil of fennel seeds, or pharmaceutical dill, dissolved in water and poured into bubbles of different volumes (from 15 to 100 milliliters). In order for dill water for newborns from colic to be suitable for use by an infant, this concentrate is still diluted with water.
The drug "Dill water"
Also, pharmacies sell seeds, packaged in bags and intended for self-production of dill water. They can be called "Fennel seeds", "Dill fragrant fruits", "Dill seeds", etc.
There is a pharmacy drug "BabyKalm" containing, in addition to dill oil, also others: anise and mint. It is produced in 50 ml vials. For correct use, the product is diluted with water.
"BabyKalm"
Another preparation consisting of fruit extract and fennel essential oil is "Plantex" (these are granules for preparing a solution).
In the shop
Specialty stores or baby food departments sell mainly herbal tea infusion filter bags. They can be called "Dill water".
Herbal tea "Dill water"
When can you give a baby
Many dill water sachets indicate that it can be given from 0 months. When a baby suffers from colic, it is allowed to carefully feed him with natural medicine, starting with a few drops, from a very young age.
When breastfeeding
Important! If a mother is exclusively breastfeeding her baby, it is not recommended to give her any other fluids unless absolutely necessary.
If the baby is tormented by colic or constipation, then he can drink dill water, starting from about a month old. In this case, the following rules must be observed:
- For the first time, you can give a child no more than half a teaspoon of the prepared medicine. Then the dose is gradually increased to a whole teaspoon;
- Give shortly before feeding (15-20 minutes), first once a day, then up to three times a day;
- After 6 weeks of age, 1 tsp. the baby can drink dill water before each feeding, up to 8 times in 24 hours;
- Drugs in drops (for example, BabyKalm) can be dissolved not only in water, but also in breast milk. They are preliminarily diluted with water, filling the vial to the set mark. Recommended doses for month-old infants are no more than 10 drops of the prepared product, dissolved in 1 tsp. water or milk twice a day, after 6 weeks - up to 6 times in 24 hours.
Bottle-fed
Infants receiving adapted formulas are much more likely to have digestive problems. They can suffer from both colic and constipation. Therefore, the mothers of such babies are more often faced with the need to give them funds to improve intestinal motility.
The age to start using dill water for colic is about 1 month. That said, you shouldn't be afraid to give your children extra fluids. It is even recommended to drink water for artificial people to avoid constipation.
For bottle-fed babies, add 2-3 teaspoons of boiled dill water to a bottle of boiled water (about 50 ml) and give it to drink throughout the day. It is also necessary to start giving the medicine with small doses - 0.5 teaspoon.
Important! If the baby has not drunk the entire amount of the product during the day, the next day it is necessary to prepare a fresh drink.
Baby drinks dill water
Is it possible for newborns
The smallest can only be given dill water in minimal quantities and without any additives. The ideal option is to prepare the medicine yourself from dry raw materials. To do this, you need to know how to brew dill water for a newborn from dill seeds.
If a ready-made herbal tea in bags is bought in a store, then it must be indicated on the package that it can be consumed from 0 months.
Reasons for using
The main reason why a baby is given dill water is intestinal colic, but there are other situations where it can help.
With colic
If the baby cries inconsolably for no apparent reason, most likely he is worried about intestinal colic. Although it is not known exactly what causes them, many experts are inclined to believe that they are due to excess gas accumulating in the intestines.
Most parents successfully soothe their children with dill water. It helps to reduce gastric acidity and also has carminative properties, which helps to effectively pass gas and reduce pain.
Dill has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and, to a lesser extent, the urinary and biliary tract.
Important! Dill water stimulates the secretion of gastric juice, improves the absorption of nutrients, inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms in the intestines, and also helps to get rid of abdominal pain in infants, especially when switching to solid foods.
Other reasons
Using dill water also helps in the following cases:
- For colds, as it facilitates the discharge of phlegm and fights off pathogenic bacteria;
- If the child is restless, promotes relaxation and better sleep, because it contains B vitamins, which normalize the functioning of the nervous system;
- For constipation, it has a mild laxative effect.
Preparation of dill water
The correct way to prepare dill water for newborns from colic will make the most effective use of the medicine.
From seed
It is not always indicated on the pharmacy packaging how to make dill water from dill seeds for a newborn at home. In addition, you can use not only dill or fennel seeds purchased at the pharmacy, but also those grown in your home garden.
Making a dill seed drink
Important! It is forbidden to buy seeds from the market or from friends.
There are two ways to prepare a medicine at home: make an infusion or a decoction.
Infusion recipe:
- Grind 1 tbsp. seeds and pour it with a glass of boiled water;
- Leave to infuse for about an hour (better under a lid);
- Strain.
The second method, how to brew dill seeds for newborns, or preparing a decoction:
- Crush 1 tbsp. seeds, pour them boiled water (1 glass);
- Leave to stand for 15 minutes;
- Boil the infusion for 15-20 minutes in a water bath;
- Then leave to infuse for another 40-45 minutes;
- Strain. The finished medicine is stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 2 days.
Before brewing dill seeds for a newborn from colic, you need to prepare the water. Better to purchase special bottled baby water.
Fresh or dry dill
The most effective medicine is obtained from the seeds of the plant, but it can also be prepared from fresh or dried dill.
Making fresh fennel medicine
Instructions on how to brew dill for colic for a newborn:
- Crush greens in a mortar. Dry dill, as a rule, is already chopped;
- A tablespoon of fresh herbs (take 0.5 teaspoon dry) pour 0.5 tbsp. boiling water;
- Let it brew for about 1 hour and drain.
Why is dill water harmful?
Important! Before giving your baby dill water, you need to talk to a pediatrician.
This remedy has contraindications:
- allergic reactions;
- intestinal obstruction;
- congenital pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
Allergy symptoms
In some babies, dill can cause allergies, which are manifested by the following symptoms:
- skin rashes;
- swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- lacrimation;
- coughing and sneezing;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting.
If after the first dose of the medicine the baby has any of these signs, it is necessary to stop using it.
Dill water is a natural medicine that helps an infant relieve colic. However, it should be used very carefully, strictly observing the dosage, and after consulting a specialist.
