Natural support for your baby’s thyroid health
When your baby receives a thyroid diagnosis, the medical side of things can be overwhelming at best. But you don’t need to feel helpless – there are steps that you can take to support them on their health journey as well.
It’s easy to get caught up in the tests, medications, appointments, milestones and the ‘what if’s. You want to make sure your little one is healthy and happy, after all! But there are gentle ways to support your baby with their thyroid condition on a daily basis.
Reminder: these are not a replacement for medical management!
When it comes to thyroid conditions in babies and children (particularly congenital ones), medical care is critical. Medication such as thyroxine is often indicated for supporting your baby’s development.
But that doesn’t mean that medication and testing is ALL that is available to you.
There are still ways we can support your little one’s thyroid health naturally, without interfering with the essential medical interventions.
Natural ways to support your baby’s thyroid health
Food first (always!)
Yes, even in that first year of life, the foods we choose can make a big difference. Thankfully, more parents are becoming aware of more nutrient-dense foods to introduce when starting solids – it’s certainly not the old rice cereal and avoiding potential allergens anymore!
By focusing primarily on wholefoods, you are supporting:
Stable energy and development (particularly for the brain)
Digestive health (which we will dive into next)
Immune development and function – which is even more critical if you’ve had to use antibiotics or reflux medication with your baby
In some cases, there may be reason to avoid certain foods. We definitely don’t want your baby consuming foods they’ve reacted to as that can spike inflammation and reduce their thyroid hormone conversion. And some may benefit from a gluten-free approach depending on the family history and background (e.g. the presence of maternal antibodies). But these are all tailored to the specific case, rather than being a one-size-fits-all approach.
Nourishing the gut
There is a deep connection between the gut and thyroid gland. So the more you support digestive function, the better.
Nurturing your baby’s gut health could assist with:
Absorption of key thyroid nutrients such as iodine, selenium and zinc
Immune function (most of the immune system resides in the gut!)
Control of inflammation
Absorption of medication
So how can you achieve this? It’s simpler than you might think! Some simple places to start include:
Prioritising breast milk – it’s the ultimate tonic for a developing digestive tract
Considering donor milk supplementation if you can access it and are unable to breastfeed
Introducing fermented foods when solids are introduced – yes, your baby can absolutely try sauerkraut and pickles!
Avoiding excess additives, sweeteners and ultra-processed foods
Only using medications such as antibiotics and steroids when absolutely necessary
Skipping personal care products such as antibacterial handwash that could end up in your baby’s mouth (soap and water is all you need!)
Taking a whole-family approach
Having a family member with a chronic condition means the whole family has to adjust. And that is particularly the case with babies, because they can’t take care of themselves! So you want to make sure you’re making choices that support the entire family on this journey together.
That includes:
Getting quality rest (even when quantity might be lacking)
Sharing nourishing meals
Seeking support from other families or professionals when times get tough
Managing stress, expectations and perfectionism – your baby doesn’t need everything to be just right to thrive, but they do need their family members to take care of themselves too
Can supplements or herbal medicines be useful for congenital thyroid disease?
Yes – BUT:
The right herbs and nutrients will depend on your little one’s specific case, driving factors and current nutrient levels
They cannot replace medication (thyroxine) especially in cases where the thyroid disorder is permanent rather than transient
Some herbs and nutrients can interfere with medication absorption, while others are unsafe for young children and babies
The right dose is critical when working with a baby/child
That’s why it’s best to seek tailored support from a qualified naturopath who can guide you to the right options for your child.