132 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
your child, call in professional help. Normal body temperature ranges
between 96.8°F and 98.6°F. A fever is said to exist if a temperature is
above 100°F. You must call for help if the child’s temperature reaches
104°F. You can take rectal, armpit, or, in older children, oral temperatures.
Rectal temperature readings are very reliable. Lay the young child or baby
on your lap, tummy down, bottom up, and hold him or her down with
one hand, allowing a small amount of movement. Lubricate the anus and
slip the thermometer in as you hold the buttocks open. Insert at least
one-third to half of the thermometer. Take a reading while it is still in
place. Remove the thermometer and give the child a big cuddle. Refer to
“Assisting a Fever” in chapter 7.
Childhood Convalescence
It is normal for a child to want to play the moment he or she feels better,
but this stage must be handled carefully. If there has been a fever, much
vital calcium, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals will have been
lost. These must be replenished rather than allowing the child to expend
what little energy is left to the detriment of the body both in the short
term and in the long term.
- Begin with fresh organic carrot juice and superfood — good sources of
vitamins A and B complex, iron, calcium, and more. They are easy to
digest. - Feed the child rich broths and soups containing root vegetables and
beans, whole grains, stewed apple puree, and other easily digestible
foods. Additionally, blessed thistle tea will return digestive enzymes
to normal, but also include a few slices of pineapple and half a papaya
to assist. - Move slowly back to normal eating patterns, without rushing this
transition, even if the child is very hungry. - Give nettle leaf or red raspberry leaf tea as they are both rich in cal-
cium, magnesium, iron, and other nutrients. - Massage the child frequently and use baths with essential oils.
- Keep the child stimulated with creative options that do not require
excessive energy, but insist on rest periods.
The Hormone Arrival
Hormones prompt many of the next developmental stages in life.
Adolescence is the period during which boys begin to become men and
girls begin to become women. Girls start to menstruate, their bodies
preparing for pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Boys’ bodies begin to
life stages 132