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Natural Baby Care Tips for New Moms: What I’ve Learned From Years of Working With Moms

Theresa Carlstedt
1 day ago
7 min read
Smiling mom kisses baby on a cozy bed; poster reads Natural Baby Care Tips for New Moms with gentle icons and hearts.

When you have a baby, suddenly every little thing matters.

Why is my baby crying?

Is it gas? Constipation? Teething?

Why is that little patch of skin red?

Is my baby drinking enough?

And perhaps the biggest question of all: “Is this something I can support at home—or do I need to call the pediatrician?”

After years of working with moms and families, I've learned that sometimes the simplest things are the ones worth checking first.

Nutrition. Hydration. Digestion. The products touching baby's skin. What we're washing their clothes and bedding in. And creating a home environment that is as gentle as possible.

So I wanted to put some of my favorite mom-to-mom tips in one place.

This isn't meant to diagnose or treat your baby, and it certainly doesn't replace your pediatrician. Think of it as a starting point—a list of things a mom can look at, questions she can ask, and simple ways to support a healthy home.


Colicky Baby? Start With the Tummy

When a baby cries and cries, every parent wants to know why.

“Colic” describes prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby, but there can be many reasons a baby is uncomfortable. Feeding issues, swallowed air, digestive discomfort and bowel habits are all things worth discussing with your baby's healthcare provider.

One thing I've learned over the years is to pay attention to digestion.

Is baby having regular bowel movements?

Does baby's tummy seem uncomfortable?

Is there excessive gas?

Has something recently changed in baby's feeding routine?

Rather than assuming every fussy baby simply “has colic,” I encourage moms to start noticing patterns. A little notebook tracking feeding, bowel movements, sleep and crying can sometimes reveal things you hadn't noticed before.


My special hint is make a tea of Stomach Soothing Complex. Take 1 - 3 tablets in a cup of tea hot or cold. Serve by dropper or spoon or bottle to baby. This herbal digestive product supports digestion, smooths upset stomach, bloating, gas, and moms have found it successful for collic.*

For babies, however, herbs and herbal teas should be discussed with your pediatrician before giving them.


Baby and Child Constipation: Don't Ignore the Gut

Digestive health is something I talk about constantly because the gut plays such an important role throughout life.

But babies are different from adults.

A baby's normal bowel pattern varies tremendously depending upon age, whether they're breastfed or formula-fed, and whether they've begun solid foods. Frequency alone doesn't necessarily mean a baby is constipated.

Look at the whole picture. Is the stool hard or difficult to pass? Does baby seem uncomfortable? Has baby's normal pattern suddenly changed?

For babies and young children, I recommend talking with your pediatrician before using laxative or herbal products.


Constipation - babies take 1/2 a Herb-Lax smashed and put in apple sauce or soft foods until going normally, then the Optiflora Probiotic should continue until all cleared up. For babies take the optiflora pearl and soak in water for 15 minutes. You can mash between your fingers and let the baby suck it off your finger. This patented blend of probiotics helps with digestion.


Baby Has a Fever? Hydration Matters—but So Does Age

Fevers can be frightening, especially the first time your baby has one.

One of the most important things during a fever is hydration. Fever can increase fluid loss, so keeping children appropriately hydrated and watching for signs of dehydration matters.

What you give depends on your child's age, so don't automatically give a baby an adult or sports hydration product. Breast milk, formula and pediatrician-recommended fluids may be appropriate depending upon age and circumstances.

And there is one temperature I want every new mom to remember: If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Also seek medical attention when fever accompanies difficulty breathing, unusual sleepiness, severe pain, dehydration, persistent vomiting or other concerning symptoms.


Fever Tip: Start the Performance Hydrate in water and give to the child. This also helps with dizziness and nausea as well. It will keep them hydrated and help lower the fever*. https://us.shaklee.com/en_US/growthteam/Nutrition/Fitness-%26-Exercise/Hydration/Performance%C2%AE-Endurance-Electrolyte-Drink/p/21309?categoryCode=


Ear Infections: Think Beyond Just the Ear

Ear infections are incredibly common in little ones.

If you suspect an ear infection, have your child's ears evaluated rather than trying to treat the infection yourself. Ear infections can have different causes and don't all require the same treatment.

But here's another conversation I think is worth having: What is happening with baby's gut—especially if antibiotics have been needed?

Antibiotics can affect intestinal bacteria along with the bacteria they're intended to target. Ask your pediatrician whether an age-appropriate probiotic makes sense for your child.

I also use these moments as a reminder to look at baby's whole environment.

What detergent washes the crib sheets?

What cleans the highchair?

What's used on baby's clothing?

What fragrances or sprays are being used around the house?

Those everyday exposures are easy to overlook.


Ear Infection: Soften the Optiflora Probiotic bead and put the paste you find inside the little baby’s mouth.  Enough will get to the baby’s stomach and help replenish the microflora.  Important to change your cleaners to Shaklee as many phosphates in detergents will clog up the ear canal and can cause other health issues.


Breathing Troubles Are Different

This is one area where I don't believe in experimenting at home.

If a baby is struggling to breathe, breathing unusually fast, pulling in around the ribs, turning blue or otherwise appears to be in respiratory distress, seek medical attention immediately.

For everyday home care, however, I strongly believe in being thoughtful about what we're putting into baby's environment.

Babies spend hours sleeping against sheets and blankets and wearing clothing that has been washed in our laundry products.

That's why I personally prefer gentle household and laundry products and try to minimize unnecessary fragrance and harsh cleaning products around babies.

You don't need your nursery to smell “clean.” Clean doesn't need a perfume.

One gentle hint is crush alfalfa tablets 1-2 for babies*.


Baby Eczema & Sensitive Skin: Sometimes Less Is More

Baby skin is beautiful—and incredibly delicate.

When a baby has dry, irritated or eczema-prone skin, it's tempting to start putting product after product on it. Sometimes I prefer going in the opposite direction.

Simplify.

Use gentle bathing products. Avoid heavily fragranced products. Pay attention to laundry detergent and fabric products. Don't over-bathe. And talk with your pediatrician when eczema is persistent, severe, infected-looking or making baby miserable.


This is also another situation where I like families to think about nutrition and gut health as part of the bigger wellness conversation—not as a replacement for appropriate eczema treatment, but as something worth discussing with their child's healthcare professional.

For bathing, I personally like very gentle baby-specific products and keeping the routine simple.


Eczema:  Give your baby/child Optiflora, Omegaguard inside, and outside wash your child with Basic H. All you need is a few drops in the water. This helps keep the skin poors open and clean and helps with dry skin. Very important is change all your cleaners to Get Clean. Many cleaners, laundry products, and personal care products are linked to eczema.  


Creating a Gentler Home for Baby

This may be one of my biggest tips for expecting parents: Don't wait until baby arrives to look underneath your kitchen sink and inside your laundry room.

Baby will spend nearly every hour of the day surrounded by things you've washed and cleaned.

  • Crib sheets.

  • Blankets.

  • Sleepers.

  • Towels.

  • Floors.

  • Highchairs.

  • Toys.

  • Your clothing.

When preparing for baby, I encourage parents to take an inventory of their household products and ask:

Do I really need this much fragrance?

Could I simplify this?

Is there a gentler option?

I've used Shaklee household products with families for years, and they're among the products I personally choose for my own approach to a cleaner home. When it comes directly to baby's skin, however, I still recommend using products according to their labels and choosing products intended for that age and purpose.



Teething: Keep It Simple

Those first little teeth can make for some long days—and nights.

Babies naturally want to chew when their gums are tender.

A chilled—not frozen—teething ring, a cool wet washcloth or gently massaging baby's gums with a clean finger are simple options recommended by pediatric experts.

I would not give a baby a chewable vitamin or supplement to use as a teether, because anything not designed for infant teething could present a choking or dosing concern.

And here's something many parents don't realize: Teething doesn't cause a true fever. If baby develops a genuine fever while teething, don't automatically blame the teeth. There may be something else going on.



My Biggest Advice to New Moms

After years of talking with moms, I've learned that caring for a baby isn't about having a remedy for everything.

It's about becoming observant.

Learn your baby's normal.

Notice their digestion.

Pay attention to hydration.

Watch their skin.

Look at what's being used around them.

Keep things simple.

And don't be afraid to call your pediatrician when something doesn't feel right.

There is a wonderful place for nutrition, probiotics, gentle household products and thoughtful wellness choices in raising a healthy family. There is also a very important place for your pediatrician. You don't have to choose between the two.


My goal has always been to help moms ask better questions, understand the options available to them, and feel more confident creating a healthy foundation for their families.

Because sometimes the best thing we can give a new mom isn't another opinion.

It's a little knowledge, a little encouragement—and somewhere to start.



Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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