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A woman’s life changes when she has a baby. Once you have a baby, your life centres around him. For the first years of his birth, you will watch his every sigh and every movement. You will read up numerous things about babies, what to feed a baby, how to improve his motor skills, how to help him talk, etc.
It is normal for parents to question every single thing around them, and consider whether they are good for the child. Nowadays, apple cider vinegar is widely consumed, and if you like it, you will also think if it safe for babies. Apple cider vinegar has many benefits but if it safe for a baby and kids is not known. So, clear your doubts by reading this article. Find out what are the benefits of apple cider on the health of a baby.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar, sometimes known as ‘wonder drug’ is known to treat various problems. The liquid substance is produced by fermenting apples and is known to be a natural remedy for a host of ailments, for babies and toddlers. There are many benefits of giving apple cider to your child, and some of them have been explained here.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Children
Here is how apple cider vinegar can benefit the health of your baby and toddler:
1. Offers Relief from Acid Reflux
If apple cider is consumed in a diluted form, it can help reduce the symptoms of heartburn in the baby. Acid refluxes are common when the baby is growing up, and apple cider can help in alleviating the problem.
2. Treats Yeast Infections
As the baby grows, he might be susceptible to some infections as his immune system is still not completely developed. Yeast infections are common, but they can be taken care of using a diluted form of apple cider vinegar.
3. Cures Sunburn
Insect bites and sunburns affecting a baby can be taken care of by the application of apple cider (in the diluted form) on the affected areas.
4. Fights Dandruff
You can mix the apple cider with an equal quantity of water, and spray it onto the scalp to get rid of the pesky dandruff problem affecting your child.
5. Provides Nutrition
Apple cider contains a host of nutrients, like Vitamin A, C, B6 and a lot of essential minerals. The lack of these minerals can result in impairing the development of your child. Giving your child diluted apple cider vinegar can provides him with these nutrients and also fight off a host of infections he may be susceptible to.
6. Treats Cold and Cough
Cold and cough in a baby is a huge problem, and it may affect your child frequently. However, you could give your baby two teaspoons of vinegar when he exhibits the symptoms of a cold and prevents the condition from exacerbating into something more serious.
7. Good for Thrush
Thrush is a common problem in little ones. To treat this, mix ACV in water in 1:2 ratio, i.e. take half a cup of ACV in a cup of water and help your child gargle with it. You can also reduce the quantity of ACV, as it may cause a problem, never increase its amount.
8. Cures Ringworm
Ringworm is another common condition in children since they have an underdeveloped immune system at a young age. Apple cider vinegar solution will have to be mixed with water and applied since it has amazing anti-microbial properties.
9. Boosts Immunity
The immune system of the babies and kids is not fully developed so that they will be susceptible to a lot of infections at young ages. Apple cider vinegar contains carotenoids and beta carotenoids, which are amazing anti-oxidants. The anti-oxidants neutralise free radicals in the body, making the children get stronger immune responses.
10. Mood
If your child has been grumpy the whole day, an apple cider bath might be just the thing that he requires. Pour half a cup of the vinegar into his bath water every day, and it will help him relax a lot more during bath time. Also, apple cider will cleanse and detoxify the body of the baby.
11. Eczema
Application of apple cider in the affected areas has been proved to be a great remedy for treating eczema in babies, and consuming it in a regular basis also helps strengthen the immune system so that such conditions stay away.
Are There Any Health Concerns Associated with the Consumption of Apple Cider Vinegar?
Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar has been found to cause food poisoning in children, so use only pasteurised apple cider for your baby. Also, tooth erosion may also result from the chronic use of apple cider as a supplement; therefore, using it as food may be the better choice to prevent your child’s teeth.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe for Infants?
Apple cider vinegar is safe for infants in the following cases:
- Apple cider is generally safe for babies since it can be of great use to combat infections, get the baby relaxed and also improve his immune system while he grows up.
- Asthma symptoms can also be reduced, and symptoms like wheezing can be kept to a minimum in case of children.
- However, contact your doctor and check whether you can use it for the benefit of your child without any issues cropping up.
Tips for Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Child
Here are some tips for using apple cider vinegar for your kid.
- Vinegar can be used for any salad you are making at home as a base, or as a flavour in the meals of your child.
- Sweet and sour fruit salads are also a good choice since it makes it easier for children to consume the apple cider.
- Apple cider vinegar for toddlers can also be used as a great marinade, to make meat or veggie kebabs.
Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe for Kids
While the topical application is fine, apple cider vinegar is not recommended to be ingested by babies. But older kids can take in diluted apple cider vinegar as part of their daily diet. Here are a couple of recipes to incorporate apple cider vinegar into the meals of your toddlers and older kids.
1. Salads with apple cider vinegar dressing
What better way to get the benefits of vegetables and apple cider vinegar all in one bite.
What You Need:
One small shallot cut in quarters, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, two tsp Dijon mustard, two tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground pepper, choice of vegetables (avocado, tomatoes, bell peppers, etc.).
How To Make:
Chop up the vegetables you want in your salad and keep them aside in a bowl. Puree the rest of the ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds. Use the dressing as required on the salad.
2. Grapefruit juice with ACV
This is a great drink to add before a meal as it is known to keep cholesterol in control.
What You Need:
1.5 cups of grapefruit juice, 1 or 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp raw honey.
How To Make:
Stir all of these ingredients together in a glass, and you’re good to go.
So can children drink apple cider vinegar? The answer is a resounding yes. However, make sure you consult with the doctor beforehand if you have any doubts whatsoever about its suitability for your child.
