A holistic approach to your kids health with Dr. Kate Appleton

Dr. Kate Appleton is committed to helping you with your health concerns in a holistic way. Naturopathic Doctors are your guide through the vast amount of health information currently available. Your health concerns deserve attention from a qualified medical professional.

We had the privilege of having Dr. Kate join us on Facebook one night to talk about kids health concerns and taking a natural appraoch  – it was a hot page! Here is a recap with some great advice in case you missed the party.

Q: My 6 month old son has eczema in his forehead and eyebrows. He had cradle cap there which did go away. What treatments do you recommend? I have been putting coconut oil on it but could use some advice
A: Using topical treatments like coconut oil is a good start because it can help keep the itching at bay, but it won't fix the underlying cause which often times is a problem in their little guts.

Q: With that nasty cold going around how would you suggest helping a little one getting over it? Especially the lingering cough and phylem?
A: One great tradition used a few generations ago is the idea of "wet socks". Where you soak

socks in cold water, put them on (eek!) and then put another pair of thick, woollen socks overtop of those. This has great results for sinus congestion and head colds.

Q: Any suggestions for foods full of good fats for a wee one who is tiny and could use a few extra pounds. She is not a fan of avocado which takes out a lot of great options.
A: Using a good, clean fish oil is also a way to include healthy fats and it helps quell any inflammation that may be hindering her ability to gain weight. Again, be very picky with the brand as most available in supermarkets do not test for heavy metals.

Q: Can you recommend a schedule or tips for feeding an infant while traveling over the holidays? We are moving from practice with purées to making it a meal and curious as to best ways to approach this while away from home.
A: So much of this depends on the infant as they are all so unique. I would say, try to stick as much as you can to their normal routine. Travelling can be stressful for infants as it disrupts what they're used to, which can lead to problems eating, sleeping or with their behaviour in general. Stick with foods you know they like, try not to introduce any major changes until they're in an environment they know.

Q: My son is 26 months. He is allergic to peanuts, dairy, and eggs. He also is very irritable, gassy, and has a distended belly when he eats gluten (so we limit it, really he does not get it). Can you give me some suggestions on protein and calcium rich snacks for him? Thanks
A: Sounds like your son may need some help healing his gut if he's already experiencing so many allergies at such a young age. Often times, the gut can become inflamed when exposed to allergenic foods creating gas/bloating and can even lead to more food intolerances. Protein rich snacks would include different types of meat in whatever form he enjoys – slices of chicken or turkey breast for example.  If dairy is a problem, then vegetable sources of calcium are your next best option – broccoli, kale, swiss chard. The challenge will be getting them into him! Experiment and see what he likes – you can always try hiding them in smoothies in case he catches on to your healthy ways!

Q: My 11 month old is below the 5th percentile in weight and is barely holding on in height. He's very active but doesn't seem to eat much. Our doctor suggested iron supplements which we've just started last week but no improvement in appetite yet. Any other suggestions on what we can try?
A: When a baby is tracking a little low on the growth charts, I like to take the time and do some investigating. This can be more of a complex health issue and while iron supplements may be helpful, more information is really needed to get to the root of the problem. I would be more than happy to see you in my practice to figure out what's going on and I do offer free 15 minute consults if you'd like to meet in person and ask more questions.

Q: I have a 3 year who can be picky! A what age do they possibly need a multi vitamin?
A: Toddlers can sometimes need a multivitamin, it really depends on the individual. If so, it's important to get a high quality product that contains easily absorbed vitamins and minerals, and has them in high enough quantities

Dr. Kate Appleton offers FREE 15 minute consultations in her clinic.

403-984-3538 to book an appointment.

In addition to the variety of conditions Dr. Kate can help you with she also offers these services:
• Pregnancy Care
• Labour Support
• Postpartum home visits
• Breastfeeding Support
Her blog is full of great articles and can be followed HERE or you can follow her on Facebook.