Babies and Children’s Health

We see a lot of babies and children at our clinic presenting with:

If your baby or child has any of the above conditions, we would love to help.

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Naturopathic Support for Babies, Children & Growing Families

Being a parent comes with a lot of questions.

Is my baby getting enough nutrition? Why are they so unsettled? Why are they always catching something? Why won’t they sleep? Why does my child have tummy aches? Why is their eczema constantly flaring? Why will they only eat five different foods?

Sometimes there is an obvious answer. Sometimes there isn’t.

Children are growing and developing incredibly quickly, and their nutritional, digestive, emotional and physical needs change as they grow.

At Advanced Natural Medicine, our naturopathic approach to babies and children’s health looks at the whole child rather than focusing on one symptom in isolation.

Depending on the child’s age and individual needs, this may include looking at nutrition, digestion, bowel health, sleep, immune health, skin, allergies, lifestyle and general wellbeing.

We also understand that children’s health is family health. When a baby isn’t sleeping or a child is struggling with their health, the whole household can feel it.

Our aim is to provide practical, personalised naturopathic support while working alongside your child’s GP, Plunket nurse, paediatrician or other healthcare professionals when needed.

Baby Nutrition, Feeding & Healthy Growth

The first two years of life are a period of rapid growth and development.

For parents, feeding can sometimes feel overwhelming. Questions can come up around:

• breastfeeding
• formula feeding
• introducing solids
• food allergies
• fussy eating
• reflux
• constipation
• poor appetite
• nutritional requirements
• healthy growth

Introducing solids is another important milestone.

A Naturopathic Approach

A naturopathic consultation may consider:

• what your baby or child is eating
• feeding patterns
• dietary variety
• digestion
• bowel movements
• food reactions
• growth
• nutritional intake
• family health history

For babies and young children, nutritional advice should always be age-appropriate and individualised.

We don’t believe parents need another list of foods they are “doing wrong”. Instead, the focus is on practical ways to support good nutrition within your family’s real-life circumstances.

Baby Tummy Troubles – Colic, Reflux, Wind & Digestion

Few things are harder for parents than hearing their baby cry and not knowing why.

Babies can experience periods of:

• wind
• unsettled behaviour
• reflux
• colic
• constipation
• loose stools
• feeding difficulties
• abdominal discomfort
• difficulty settling after feeds

Some digestive symptoms are part of normal infancy, while others may need further investigation.

Looking at the bigger picture

When a baby is unsettled, it can be tempting to immediately blame a food intolerance or allergy.

But there can be many reasons for crying, feeding difficulties or digestive discomfort.

A naturopathic assessment may consider:

feeding – digestion – bowel habits – nutrition – sleep – environment – overall wellbeing

Where a true food allergy is suspected, appropriate medical assessment is important.

Constipation, Bowel Health & Gut Health

Constipation is a very common childhood concern and can be incredibly upsetting for both children and parents.

Signs can include:

• hard or pellet-like stools
• large, difficult-to-pass stools
• tummy pain
• crying when passing stool
• avoiding the toilet
• going several days without a bowel movement
• poo accidents or soiling
• reduced appetite

Children can sometimes begin holding onto their bowel movements because going to the toilet has become painful. This can create a cycle where constipation becomes increasingly difficult to resolve.

Supporting healthy bowel habits

Depending on age, practical measures may include:

• drinking enough water
• eating fruit and vegetables
• increasing appropriate fibre
• regular physical activity
• establishing a relaxed toilet routine

Naturopathic Approach

A naturopathic practitioner may consider:

• diet
• fluid intake
• fibre
• bowel patterns
• digestive symptoms
• food variety
• activity
• routine
• nutritional adequacy

 

Children’s Immunity & Frequent Illness

“My child seems to catch everything.”

It’s something many parents say, particularly when their child has started daycare or school and suddenly seems to be bringing home every cough and cold going around.

Children are exposed to many new infections as they grow, and occasional illness is a normal part of childhood.

However, parents may seek additional support when a child seems to be:

• frequently unwell
• taking a long time to recover
• unusually tired after illness
• experiencing recurrent respiratory symptoms
• struggling with appetite
• missing lots of school or daycare

Rather than simply talking about “boosting” immunity, our naturopathic approach focuses on the foundations of healthy immune function.

These can include:

• adequate sleep
• nutritious food
• sufficient protein
• fruit and vegetables
• hydration
• physical activity
• digestive health
• nutritional adequacy
• stress and emotional wellbeing

Where appropriate, nutritional support can complement conventional healthcare.

Eczema, Allergies & Sensitive Skin

Eczema is one of the most common concerns parents bring to healthcare professionals.

A baby’s or child’s skin can become:

• dry
• itchy
• red and inflamed
• rough
• irritated
• cracked
• sensitive

Allergy New Zealand estimates that eczema affects around 1 in 5 babies and young children.

Eczema is associated with other atopic conditions such as allergies, asthma and hay fever, although having eczema does not automatically mean that a child has a food allergy.

Food Allergies and Eczema

This is an area where parents can easily become confused.

Food does not simply “cause eczema”.

Some children with eczema may also have food allergies, but unnecessary food restriction can create nutritional problems.

Naturopathic Approach

A naturopathic assessment may consider:

• nutritional adequacy
• digestive health
• environmental triggers
• food history
• skin barrier care
• sleep
• stress
• family history

 

Sleep, Settling & Childhood Sleep Problems

Anyone who has had a baby awake at 2am knows how important sleep is — not just for the child, but for the entire family.

Sleep needs change dramatically as children grow.

Children may experience:

• difficulty settling
• frequent waking
• early waking
• nightmares
• night terrors
• restless sleep
• bedtime battles
• difficulty switching off
• daytime tiredness

A Naturopathic Approach

We may consider:

• bedtime routine
• sleep environment
• nutrition
• physical activity
• stress
• digestive comfort
• screen habits
• daytime routine
• overall lifestyle

Sometimes the reason a child isn’t sleeping well isn’t actually the sleep itself.

A child with constipation, reflux, eczema, allergies, anxiety or another underlying issue may also struggle to sleep comfortably.

That’s why looking at the whole child matters.

Picky Eating, Fussy Eating & Nutritional Support

“They used to eat everything.”

“They won’t eat vegetables.”

“They only eat beige food.”

“I’m worried they’re not getting enough nutrients.”

Fussy eating can be a normal part of childhood, but persistent or severe food restriction can sometimes make it difficult for children to obtain enough nutrients.

The 2024/25 NZ Health Survey found that 72.9% of children aged 2–14 met recommended fruit intake, while only 5.8% met recommended vegetable intake.

That doesn’t mean parents are failing.

Children’s eating habits can be complicated, and every family is different.

Nutritional considerations

Depending on the child’s diet, a practitioner may consider whether they are getting enough:

• protein
• iron
• zinc
• calcium
• vitamin D
• B vitamins
• healthy fats
• fibre
• fruit and vegetables

Our Approach

The goal isn’t to make parents feel guilty.

It is to ask:

How can we make this child’s diet more nutritious, realistic and achievable for this family?

Where appropriate, a naturopathic practitioner can help identify potential nutritional gaps and determine whether additional nutritional support is warranted.

Children’s Energy, Concentration & Learning

Some parents seek help because their child seems:

• tired
• distracted
• forgetful
• restless
• overwhelmed
• unable to concentrate
• struggling at school
• lacking energy

There can be many explanations.

Sleep, nutrition, stress, learning differences, emotional wellbeing and neurodevelopmental conditions can all play a role.

It is important not to assume that poor concentration automatically means a nutritional deficiency.

ADHD and neurodevelopment

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, not simply a nutritional problem.

The Ministry of Health’s NZ ADHD Clinical Principles Framework reports that the proportion of children aged 5–14 diagnosed with ADHD in NZ Health Survey data increased from 3.2% in 2022/23 to 5.3% in 2023/24.

Naturopathic care should complement appropriate assessment, educational support and medical care.

Naturopathic Support

Where appropriate, a practitioner may look at:

• regular meals
• nutritional adequacy
• protein intake
• iron and other nutrients when indicated
• sleep
• physical activity
• digestive health
• general lifestyle

We would not suggest that supplements replace ADHD medication, educational support or specialist assessment.

Children’s Emotional Wellbeing, Stress & Anxiety

Children experience stress too.

Sometimes it looks like worry or sadness.

Sometimes it looks like:

• irritability
• anger
• difficulty sleeping
• tummy aches
• headaches
• school avoidance
• withdrawal
• difficulty concentrating
• emotional outbursts

The NZ Health Survey includes children’s emotional and behavioural wellbeing as an important part of children’s health. The Ministry’s 2024/25 survey framework specifically includes children’s mental health and wellbeing alongside nutrition, sleep and physical activity.

A Whole-Child Approach

A naturopathic consultation may consider:

• regular meals
• sleep
• physical activity
• time outdoors
• family routines
• digestive health
• stress
• lifestyle

But significant anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm thoughts or major behavioural changes require appropriate mental-health assessment and support.

For parents

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is listen.

A child doesn’t have to have a diagnosed condition for a parent to feel that something has changed.

Growing Children, Healthy Development & Teenage Health

Children don’t stay little for long.

Their health needs change dramatically from infancy through childhood and into adolescence.

As children grow, conversations may increasingly include:

• healthy growth
• puberty
• teenage nutrition
• menstrual health
• acne
• body image
• energy
• sports nutrition
• sleep
• school stress
• emotional wellbeing
• iron
• healthy eating habits

Teenage Girls

For teenagers who menstruate, nutrition and menstrual health become increasingly important.

Heavy periods, restricted diets or rapid growth can increase the importance of assessing nutritional status.

Active Teenagers

Teenagers involved in sport may also have increased nutritional requirements around:

• protein
• energy
• hydration
• recovery
• iron

The focus should always be on healthy growth and development rather than dieting or unnecessary restriction.

A Naturopathic Approach to Babies & Children’s Health

At Advanced Natural Medicine, we understand that parents don’t necessarily want another person telling them what they are doing wrong.

You want someone to listen, look at the whole picture and help you work out what might be worth addressing.

A naturopathic consultation may consider:

Nutrition

What is your child actually eating? Are they getting enough variety and key nutrients?

Digestion

Are they experiencing constipation, tummy aches, reflux, bloating or food reactions?

Sleep

Are they getting enough sleep and is something interfering with their rest?

Immune Health

Are they frequently unwell or struggling to recover?

Skin

Are eczema, itching or allergies affecting their comfort?

Lifestyle

What does everyday life look like for your child and your family?

Emotional Wellbeing

Could stress, school, family changes or other circumstances be affecting their health?

Nutritional Support

Where appropriate, practitioner-directed nutritional products may be considered.

Practitioner-Directed Children’s Nutritional Support

Children are not simply small adults.

Their nutritional needs change according to their:

• age
• growth
• diet
• activity
• medications
• allergies
• medical conditions
• nutritional status

For this reason, we would not recommend choosing children’s supplements based simply on an online product description.

At Advanced Natural Medicine, practitioner-only nutritional products from professional ranges such as Metagenics and other practitioner suppliers may be considered where appropriate following an individual assessment.

The emphasis is on:

the right product, for the right child, for the right reason.

Nutrition for Growing Children

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean perfect eating.

For most families, it’s about building good habits over time.

Depending on age and individual needs, a varied diet can include:

• vegetables
• fruit
• protein-rich foods
• whole grains
• legumes
• dairy or suitable alternatives
• nuts and seeds where age-appropriate and safe
• healthy fats
• adequate fluids

For older children, the emphasis should remain on variety, adequacy and enjoyment of food, rather than restrictive diets.

Everyday Habits That Support Children’s Health

Sleep

Children need significantly more sleep than adults, and requirements change with age.

Movement

Active play and physical activity are important for healthy growth and development.

Good nutrition

Regular meals and a varied diet provide the foundation for growth.

Hydration

Water should be the main drink for most children.

Outdoor time

Time outside provides opportunities for movement, exploration and connection.

Family routines

Predictable routines can help children feel secure.

Connection

Children need opportunities to talk, play and spend time with the people around them.

Less pressure around food

Mealtimes don’t need to become a battle.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

Naturopathic care should complement — not replace — appropriate healthcare for babies and children.

Seek medical advice if your child has:

• difficulty breathing
• persistent or high fever
• dehydration
• persistent vomiting
• blood in the stool
• persistent diarrhoea
• significant or persistent abdominal pain
• poor weight gain
• unexplained weight loss
• significant feeding difficulties
• recurrent serious infections
• unusual lethargy
• developmental regression
• seizures
• significant behavioural changes
• persistent or worsening symptoms

For babies, seek medical advice promptly if you are concerned about feeding, hydration, breathing, growth or unusual behaviour.

Food Allergies & Anaphylaxis

Food allergy is different from food intolerance.

Allergy New Zealand reports that around 10% of infants have a food allergy by 12 months, with approximately 6–8% of school-age children affected.

Common food allergens include:

• dairy
• egg
• peanuts
• tree nuts
• sesame
• soy
• wheat
• fish
• shellfish

Food allergy can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.

If a child has a diagnosed food allergy, families should have an appropriate allergy/anaphylaxis action plan and know how to respond to a reaction.

Naturopathic care does not replace allergy testing, avoidance plans, adrenaline treatment or emergency medical care.

Naturopathy & Your Child’s Healthcare Team

We believe children’s healthcare works best when parents and healthcare professionals work together.

Our naturopathic practitioners can work alongside other healthcare professionals by considering nutrition, digestion, sleep, lifestyle, nutritional status and general wellbeing.

We do not recommend stopping prescribed medication or replacing necessary medical treatment with supplements.

Book a Naturopathic Consultation

Because sometimes you just want someone to listen.

If your baby or child isn’t sleeping well, has ongoing tummy problems, recurring skin issues, is frequently unwell, has a very restricted diet — or you simply feel that something isn’t quite right — a naturopathic consultation can provide an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture.

At Advanced Natural Medicine, we take the time to listen to parents and understand your child’s health history, nutrition, digestion, sleep, lifestyle, medications and individual needs.

You don’t have to have all the answers before you come to us.

Our role is to help you understand your child’s health and identify practical areas where appropriate naturopathic support may complement their existing healthcare.