Traditionally used immediately after birth for the quick expulsion of merconium in newborns.* Tea lasts for 12 hours at room temperature or a couple of days if refrigerated, so it is fine to make it up at the onset of labor. What to Expect: Baby tends to poop out black merconium in 4-6 poops in 1-2 days instead of 5+ days.* *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Newborn Golden Thread Tea Kit (Single)
Golden Thread Newborn Tea is traditionally used for the prevention of newborn jaundice by the rapid expulsion of meconium. Newborn jaundice is a condition that arises from a baby's blood bilirubin levels increasing due to the reabsorption of meconium (this is different from adult jaundice which is due to sever liver or gallbladder issues). Meconium is the funky black poo that babies have been ingesting and eliminating while in the womb. The longer the meconium stays in a baby's system the more reabsorption happens and the higher the baby's bilirubin levels get eventually leading to jaundice. The quicker the meconium is expelled out of the baby's system the less time it has to be reabsorbed thereby keeping the baby's bilirubin levels from jumping and jaundice from occurring in the first place.
This product is designed for use immediately after birth and is not intended for use past 36 hours old. Best results are when the tea is given within the first 6 hours of life. The tea can be giving immediately after birth (I gave it to one baby when he was 5 minutes old and still attached via umbilical cord while he and his mommy were still resting in the birthing tub. He had fabulous results and the added bonus of his stimulated digestive system encouraging him to nurse, which he did very quickly once they were moved to the bed). The tea works optimally when it is the first thing in a baby's system, but will still work even if they have started nursing some.
• A treatment that is only used once in a lifetime but can positively impact the health of the rest of said lifetime.
• Significant reduction in the chance of developing newborn jaundice and significant reduction in the severity and duration of jaundice should it manage to still occur
• A tendency for the newborns to be highly interested in figuring out how to nurse.
• Digestive powers tend to come on line more quickly.
• A tendency to rebound quickly from initial weight loss.
•Because this product stimulates a baby to poo out 4-6 days worth of meconium poo in a shorter period of time (usually 1-2 days, sometimes 3) they have a tendency to drop weight a little more dramatically (though generally still within normal perimeters) simply because of getting rid of all that poo. However, they also generally rebound quickly and begin gaining weight again faster than average.
•As with anything we ingest, there is the potential for allergic reaction. If your baby has an allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing etc.) discontinue use and seek medical attention. We have yet to have anyone report an allergic response, but theoretically it could happen.
• The tea is very bitter. Your baby won't care because they are experiencing tastes for the first time, however if you taste it be forewarned it is really very bitter.
See allergy note above. Additionally, you will want a professional evaluation on a case by case bases for babies born before 35 weeks, those who have had sever birth complications leading to being cooled down to an almost hypothermic state to save them, babies with other sever complications especially if their digestive system is significantly compromised, babies requiring emergency surgery, and babies that are unable to maintain a good body temperature even with skin to skin contact. Basically use caution with frail, cold, digestively compromised, or intensive care level newborns and seek professional advice before using this product with them. Additionally, this product is not intended for use past 36 hours old and a maximum of 3, (1-2 doses are generally plenty).
What is likely to happen if used inappropriately? If used too late on a healthy child likely you just won't get much of a response. If used on a cold child they could possibly have a little more trouble warming back up than they would have. If used with a particularly weak digestive system it could be hard on their digestion and the stimulation to their already weak digestion would impact them more as overstimulation making it a bit weaker. If used with a preemie that would be case by case depending on age and strength but see the above for what you might expect. Using this product outside of recommendations isn't helpful to your child, but also isn't going to be toxic or (baring an extreme allergic reaction) something that would put their lives in danger.