One of the most heavenly feelings on the planet is to welcome a newborn to this world. On the one hand, where parents are on cloud nine, they also fight to make everything fuss-free for the baby. However, they find themselves caught up in situations where all their efforts are in vain. A colic pain in the baby is one such situation that can be nightmarish for both baby and mother. Ajwain water for baby is a time-tested remedy. Ajwain is widely hailed for its digestion-soothing properties.
In the article, we will discuss whether ajwain water is safe for babies, its benefits for babies, the best time to give it to babies, how to make it, age appropriateness, and precautions to be taken.
Also Read – Ajwain Water During Pregnancy: Expecting Mom’s Wellness
Is Ajwain Water Safe for Babies?
Ajwain water is widely used in many cultures worldwide to treat digestion issues in both adults and babies.
Since the safety and health of your baby should be the priority, always consult a pediatrician before introducing a new food or drink to your baby’s diet.
Ajwain water for baby is considered safe if given in moderation and appropriately diluted form.
Remember not to introduce ajwain water to a baby under six months of age, as her digestion system is still developing.
PS: Babies under six months of age should be given breast milk or formula milk as a primary source of nutrition.
Ajwain Water for Baby – A Precautionary Guide
You can consider the following guidelines while introducing Ajwain water to your baby:
1.) Age
Ajwain water is mostly not recommended for babies under six months of age.
The reason for this is their digestion system is still under development.
Introducing any new food or drink before six months of age increases the possibility of allergies, digestive issues, and other complications.
2.) Dilution
Introduce ajwain water to your baby initially in a very diluted form.
A common ratio is using one pinch of ajwain seeds (crushed) in about 100 ml of water for preparing ajwain water for baby.
Avoid concentrated Ajwain solutions for babies.
3.) Moderation
Always exercise moderation in giving ajwain water to your baby.
You should never exceed the recommended dosage (usually 2-3 teaspoons for babies).
4.) Consult a Pediatrician
As a rule of thumb, a pediatrician should always be consulted before trying a new food or drink for your baby.
A pediatrician is the best one to guide on introducing ajwain water to the baby considering her age, developmental readiness, needs, and health condition.
5.) Quality of Ajwain Used
Ensure that the ajwain seeds used for making ajwain water for a baby are high-quality and contamination-free.
Always select a reputed brand for buying ajwain seeds.
6.) Gradual Introduction
Introduce the ajwain water to your baby initially in smaller quantities.
The quantity of the ajwain water should be increased gradually depending on how well your baby responds.
7.) Allergies
Every baby’s reaction to the ajwain water will differ.
You must closely observe your baby if there are any signs of allergies.
These may include rashes on the skin, hives, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual fussiness.
Stop giving ajwain water to your baby immediately if any of these symptoms occur, and consult a pediatrician.
When To Introduce – How Much Is Too Much
Caution must particularly be exercised when it comes to the baby’s health.
Moderation is the key when introducing ajwain water to a baby.
I have outlined certain guidelines according to the babies’ age for ajwain water:
1.) Newborns (0-3 months)
Babies of this age group should not be given ajwain water at all.
They are too small and the digestion system is still developing.
Babies at this age should only be given breast milk or formula milk.
2.) Infants (3-6 months)
If your infant has successfully started taking solids at this age, it is okay to introduce ajwain water to her in small quantities such as 1-2 teaspoons.
However, if your baby is primarily on breast or formula milk, it is better to wait for her to start solids before introducing ajwain water into her diet.
It is equally essential to see your baby’s response to the ajwain water.
If your baby is tolerating ajwain water well, increase it gradually only.
However, any untoward signs by the baby should be immediately dealt with.
Ajwain water to the baby must be stopped immediately and contact the pediatrician.
3.) Babies (7-12 months)
Mothers can begin giving ajwain water in small amounts for older babies who have started taking solids.
Remember, do not exceed the amount of ajwain water to 2-3 teaspoons daily.
Mothers must maintain a balanced diet for their babies and not rely solely upon ajwain water for hydration or nutrition.
4.) Toddlers (1-2 years)
If ajwain water is comforting to digestion, you can continue giving it to your baby.
However, keep the quantity of ajwain water for baby in moderation and do not exceed 2-3 teaspoons daily.
5.) Children (2 years and older)
Once the child has crossed the toddler phase, mothers can increase the amount of ajwain water to 2-4 tablespoons daily.
However, monitor your child’s reaction to the increased ajwain water.
If they show any signs of discomfort, address the issue immediately.
Also, remember to maintain a well-balanced diet.
How To Make Ajwain Water at Home?
You can easily prepare ajwain water for baby at home by following the steps mentioned below:
Ingredients:
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ajwain seeds
- 1 cup of water
Instructions:
- Bring the water to a boil in a clean container.
- Put the ajwain seeds in the boiling water and reduce the flame to sim.
- Let the ajwain simmer in the boiling water for 5-7 minutes. This will release the essential oils and flavors of ajwain in the water.
- Turn off the flame and let the ajwain water cool down at room temperature.
- Once the ajwain water is cool, sieve it in another clean container using a strainer.
- The ajwain water is ready to be given to your baby. Choose the quantity according to the age and tolerance level of your baby.
Other Notes:
- While giving ajwain water to the baby, always ensure that the water is not too hot. It should be either lukewarm or at room temperature.
- If your baby doesn’t like the taste of ajwain water, try adding a little jaggery. However, it should not be made a practice as jaggery is also high in sugar.
- Be careful for any adverse signs or symptoms in the baby against ajwain water. If there are signs of rashes on the skin, hives, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual fussiness, stop ajwain water immediately and consult the pediatrician.
Best Time to Give Ajwain Water to Baby
The best time of ajwain water for baby depends upon her age and specific needs.
Let us look at some general guidelines in this regard:
1.) Before or After Meals
Infants and young babies (4-12 months) can be given ajwain water before and after meals.
Giving ajwain water before meals will prepare their digestion system, after the meals, it will help relieve gas and colic.
2.) Colicky Babies
If your little one is getting colicky, gassy, or fussy, then ajwain water can be given immediately, day or night.
3.) As Per the Need
The beauty of the herbal water is that it can be given at any time of the day, depending upon the baby’s needs.
However, specific timings do increase the benefits of this herbal water.
4.) Before Bed
Most infants experience colic pain at night which can be disturbing for both baby and mother.
Giving ajwain water to the little one at night can help her sleep peacefully.
Benefits of Ajwain Water for Baby
Ajwain water for baby is a common practice in many cultures.
Many people widely believe and have proven that giving ajwain water to a child can offer several potential benefits.
It is equally essential to understand that not all kids will respond similarly to the ajwain water.
Hence, the benefits and results of the ajwain water for babies will vary.
Some of the potential benefits include:
1.) Relieves Colic and Gas
Colitis can cause excessive discomfort, crying, and fussiness in babies due to gas and indigestion.
Ajwain water benefits a kid from colic problems.
The carminative properties of this herbal water may help reduce gas providing relief to colicky babies.
2.) Improves Digestion
Many believe that the thymol component in ajwain has digestion-soothing elements.
Ajwain water helps in the secretion of gastric juices and enzymes which helps in the proper digestion of the food.
A properly digested food will not cause acidity and indigestion-related issues in the baby.
3.) Aids Relieving Constipation
Ajwain water also benefits the child from constipation.
The herbal water is a mild laxative that smoothens the hard stool making bowel movement easier in babies.
4.) Boosts Appetite in Babies
By regulating the digestion system properly, ajwain water increases the kid’s appetite.
5.) Relieves Baby from Cough
Ajwain water also benefits children with respiratory issues such as colds, coughs, and congestion.
6.) Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
Ajwain seeds contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and protect against oxidative stress.
7.) Strong Immunity
A healthy digestive system indirectly promotes a healthy immune system.
When a baby’s digestion system is free of indigestion, gas, constipation, etc., it leads to better absorption of nutrients that further contribute to better overall development.
Food Combinations to Be Avoided with Ajwain Water
Certain food combinations do not go well with the ajwain water.
To ensure the efficacy of the ajwain water and maintain the child’s digestive health, avoid the following combinations:
- Caffeine
Avoid giving ajwain water with caffeine-containing beverages such as tea or coffee.
Caffeine can interfere with the digestion of babies and is not suitable for their health.
- Dairy
Avoid combining dairy products or milk with the ajwain water.
If the child is lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy-based products, combining these with ajwain water will further create digestion-related issues.
- Citrus Fruits
Do not give citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits with ajwain water.
These fruits are acidic and mixing them with ajwain water can disrupt the tot’s digestive system.
- Spicy Foods
When administering ajwain water to the kid, avoid giving heavy or spicy foods to see the best results.
- Gas-Inducing Foods
Certain foods such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, and lentils cause gas.
Avoid giving such food items to the baby or provide them in small amounts.
This will ensure that the baby gets maximum benefit.
- Processed or Junk Food
Kid’s exposure to processed foods/junk foods, and sugary snacks should be minimal.
- Allergenic Foods
Avoid allergenic foods such as nuts, eggs, and shellfish when consuming Ajwain water.
- Medications or Supplements
Consult the pediatrician before introducing the ajwain water to the kid if she is under any medication.
The Takeaway
Ajwain water for baby is a traditional, safe, and herbal way of treating digestion-related problems.
This is a simple, easily available, convenient, and cheap method used by mothers to provide relief to their cute munchkins.
I am hopeful that mothers will find the above guide helpful.
Image courtesy: jenikirbyhistory.getarchive.net
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.) What are the side effects of Ajwain water for babies?
Ans.) Most people consider ajwain water safe for children.
However, some of the side effects that may appear in babies include allergies such as rashes, hives, respiratory issues, fever, fussiness, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, acid reflux, and dehydration.
Q2.) Does Ajwain water help in constipation in babies?
Ans.) Many believe ajwain water benefits children with constipation.
It is a laxative and helps smoothen the bowel movements in babies.
Q3.) What is the best remedy for constipation in babies?
Ans.) Bringing certain changes to babies’ diet can help prevent constipation.
You must include green veggies, fruits, and fibrous food in your baby’s diet.
Ensure your baby stays well-hydrated throughout the day to help prevent constipation.
You can also gently massage your baby’s tummy in the clockwise direction to stimulate the bowel movement.
Moving your baby’s legs gently in bicycle motion also helps relieve gas and stimulate the bowels.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.
Suggested Readings and References
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317041607_Health_benefits_of_Indian_aromatic_plant_Ajwain_Trachycpermum_ammi#:~:text=Taking%20one%20teaspoon%20of%20Ajwain,heart%20and%20relieves%20heartache.&text=Ajwain%20oil%20can%20help%20in,two%20drops%20in%20the%20ear.&text=treatment%20of%20rheumatic%20and%20neuralgic%20pain.&text=boiling%20of%20Ajwain%20and%20little,day%2C%20it%20cures%20tooth%20pain.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096002/
- https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2019/vol8issue6/PartK/8-5-122-127.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ajwain
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