KIDS’ HEALTH
At Aumakua, it’s our team’s mission to provide gentle and effective care to babies, children and teens.
As most of us are mothers ourselves, we understand how important it is to know that our children are not only safe, but well. If you have children too, you know that these precious beings are so much more than tiny adults! They are vulnerable and dependable, and it is our job as doctors to do everything we can to make sure your children are thriving.
Dr. Rolfsen and Dr. Bell absolutely love working with children, and you will love the warmth you and your children feel when working with them. With advanced training in paediatrics, Dr. Rolfsen and Dr. Bell are able to treat children from birth all the way through adolescence, providing your children with a sense of safety and security as they grow up getting to know the body they live in and creating lasting relationships with their health care providers.
Children require very special care from well-trained doctors to feel safe and nurtured in a medical environment, and our goal is that you both leave your appointments at Aumakua feeling cared for and heard, not seeking answers to the same questions you came with.
Q.
MAMA, WE KNOW THAT GETTING YOUR CHILD TO EAT CAN FEEL LIKE A STRUGGLE
This is as true for children as it is for adults. Here at Aumakua, our primary focus is in gut health. We are very well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of gut conditions in children, ranging from acute conditions to subclinical and chronic conditions.
As babies and children have very delicate digestive systems, digestive issues can present as a huge range of symptoms, including behavioural concerns, allergies, and skin conditions. While it can feel easier to ignore the problem, childhood is actually the ideal time to address any digestive concerns in children as they often respond VERY well to natural therapies!
Some of the common gastrointestinal symptoms we treat in children:
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Loose stools
Gas and bloating
Food sensitivities
Crohn’s and colitis
OTHER SYMPTOMS RELATED TO GI HEALTH
The digestive tract is an intricate and very delicate system, especially in children! When it’s functioning optimally, food is transformed into building blocks for all of the cells and molecules in your child’s body to properly digest and absorb. A healthy digestive system is needed for the production of factors, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, vitamins and absorbable minerals.
When digestion isn’t working well, your child can experience decreased absorption of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and nutrients which could be causing any of the symptoms above.
During our first appointment, we’ll spend time together looking for a number of signs and symptoms that can signal underlying digestive imbalances such as:
Puffy eyes
Low or fluctuating energy
Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, rashes, fungal infections
Allergies
Developmental and growth concerns
Picky eating
Incontinence or bedwetting
Behavioural concerns
THE PEDIATRIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
AS ONE MIGHT IMAGINE, CHILDREN HAVE VERY SENSITIVE LITTLE NERVOUS SYSTEMS.
WHILE THEY ARE AWFULLY SMALL, THEY ARE BEAUTIFULLY MIGHTY!
Often, children won’t be able to tell you with words that something is wrong. Instead, they’ll tell you with their behaviour in a number of ways; acting out, aggression, retreating, insomnia. Sound familiar?
If you’re noticing behavioural changes in your child, our doctors will work with your family to see if there are any underlying imbalances that can be addressed. Through testing for GI health, nutrient deficiencies, emotional boundaries, and communication styles, we can often help to balance your child’s temperament. Yes, Modern Woman, haven’t we mentioned that we’re magicians yet?
The goal of our naturopathic doctors is to ensure your child’s beautiful personality shines through, keeping them healthy and unique for an entire lifetime!
We frequently see children with the following nervous system concerns:
Mood swings
Poor sleep
Stress, anxiety & fears
Highly sensitive children and mutism
Learning concerns
Sensory processing concerns
Behavioural concerns
Autism spectrum
ADHD
Gentle therapies we use to help children feel their best:
Specialty lab testing
Nutrition plans
Botanical/Herbal remedies
Nutritional supplements
Neuro-emotional technique
*please note that our NDs do not intend to “cure” your child of any condition, including autism spectrum disorders. We work with individual patients to ensure that they are functioning to their full potential.
