Post Natal Care of the Mother and the Child

Post Natal care of the Child

The management of the baby at the crucial early stage is very important and has been discussed in great detail in the Ayurveda. The baby should be given a proper bath and his external orifices should be cleaned up properly immediately after the birth. The very first substance to be fed to the newborn should be a mixture of honey and ghee consecrated with mantras.

The inculcation of values in the child is of prime importance and in the Ayurveda. Ayurveda texts mention about a complete set of pre and post birth sanskars for the child in order to enshrine him with moral values and traditions.

Here we will discuss one such sanskar called the raksha karma, which is performed during the first six days after the birth because in these six days the baby is most vulnerable to infections. This is because he is entirely new to the changed environment when compared to the mother's womb. The raksha karma facilitates the attunement of the baby to the changes of the environment.

The raksha karma keeps the negative influences and possible infections at bay and keeps the baby safe and secure. During these days special care has to be taken for the cleanliness and the hygiene of the baby's room. The room should be purified with the fumigation of antiseptic herbs which can also be tied in the form of amulets in the baby's and mother's arms.

The baby should be given bath by medicated water because it enhances the baby's immunity and provides warmth to his body. Massage is recommended for strengthening of the child's skin and to improve the blood supply to its growing muscles. Massage also comforts the child and renders him necessary psychological support. Specific procedures and oils for massage and herbal ubtan(scrubs) have been mentioned in various Ayurvedic texts. Ubtans and massage provide glow and complexion to the skin of the child, reduce the facial and body hair and provides suppleness to its body.

Breast Feeding

We are aware of the benefits of the breast-feeding, which Ayurveda believes has no parallel. Breast milk is rich in all the vital nutrients and provides the baby with requisite energy for the all round growth. It is a wholesome diet for the newborn, which is easy to digest, enhances immunity, and balances the doshas. Moreover the breast milk is available at the temperature most suited for the infant and is free from all possible sources of contamination.

Apart from the nutritional aspect the process of breast-feeding fosters a bond between the mother and the child, which acts as a reassuring factor for the baby and makes him feel safe in the new surrounding. There can be no substitute of the breast milk however, in circumstances where breast-feeding is not possible the cow and goat milk are suggested as the next best alternatives.

Post Natal Care of the mother

This phase is called the Sutika period - a term derived from the word prasuta or the mother after delivery. There are different opinions about the duration of this period, which ranges from six weeks to six months and some believe that it lasts until the restoration of menstrual cycle.

A special diet plan for the prasuta is recommended for this period to make good the loss of the reproductive fluids, dhatus and blood during the pregnancy and delivery. The prasuta should consume light yet nourishing food during the sutika kaal.

In the first week of the Sutika Kaal special care should be taken for Lochia- (accumulation of abnormal blood in the uterus). The vagina should be cleaned twice daily with medicated lukewarm water. Use of medicated jaggery water is also recommended for three to four days.

The body of the sutika especially pelvic region and thighs and the parturient canal should be massaged regularly with warm mustard oil, at least for of thirty days. After the body massage the stomach should be wrapped tightly with large piece of clean cloth. The wrapping helps in compression of the abdomen and it avoids the presence of hollow space in the abdominal region thereby obviating the possibility of vata vitiation. The massage should be followed by a bath with sufficient amount of lukewarm water.

In the sutika period the head of the prasuta should be properly covered and care taken to avoid her contacting the cold air. Light physical exercise is suggested in this period, however care should be taken to avoid physical stress and fatigue. She should not indulge in sexual activity during this period.

Proper adherence to this regimen results in faster recuperation and restoration of the health of the mother. Adequate care and precautions along with the prescribed regimen ensures that the mother regains her physical charm and maintains a beautiful figure and retains health just akin to that of her pre pregnancy days.