ADMINISTERING HERBS AND HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

ADMINISTERING HERBS AND HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

Many parents are turning to herbs and holistic treatments to keep their children healthy, but the question is whether these remedies are safe for the child. What can you do as a parent to make sure these treatments are safe? How do you talk to your childcare provider about administering ‘herbal medications” while your child is in your care? Here is some important information for you and what you should share with your child’s childcare provider.

As a parent, you should have your pediatrician’s approval in advance of administering any nontraditional remedy. A pediatrician will be able to discuss with you any pros or cons in administering nontraditional medications.

Get the pediatrician’s approval and comments in writing.

Your childcare provider will need a copy of the pediatrician’s approval in their file before they can administer any alternative medication to your child.

As a parent in your personal files, you should keep a copy of the pediatrician’s written approval. Keep the approval updated periodically and always make a copy for your childcare provider.

As a parent you should stick with herbs that are safe for children and that are manufactured in developed countries. Never administer medication which does not come in its original container. Read labels.

Your provider is required by regulations to accept any medications only in the container they originally came in.

Before deciding whether or not to administer herbal medication to your child investigate whether the practitioner you have chosen is certified by a leading national organization for his specialty. And whether the practitioner has had experience treating children.

Make sure the practitioner is willing to be available, if you have questions. Give your childcare provider permission to talk with the practitioner directly.