DO’s AND DON’T’s FOR LACTATING MOTHERS
Health of the mother-infant dyad is greatly dependent on the purity of the breast milk. Breast milk is a portal of health as well as diseases and also a portal of administering drugs to the infant as per the concept of Ayurveda. Unhealthy food and regimen of the mother leading to vitiation of breast milk can cause diseases in the child like Poor weight gain or Growth, Constipation, Lack of Immunity, Anaemia, Jaundice, Vomiting, Drooling, Sleepiness, Overweight, Respiratory diseases and Cardiovascular disorders. Hence, the good knowledge of Dos and Don’ts for diet and regimen for lactating mothers is necessary which is mentioned in classics of Ayurveda as below:
Don’ts | Dos
|
Foods that cause indigestion Unaccustomed foods and drinks Irregular dietary habits Incompatible foods Over eating
| Shali and Shashtika Rice (Varieties of Rice) Godhuma (Wheat) Yava (Barley) Ragi (Millets) |
Stale and slimy food Excessively oily food
| Green leafy vegetables cooked in oil/ghee
|
Kheer, Jaggery Thick gruels Curd | Mudga, Masoora, Kulatha, Yoosha with Amla, Trikatu, Saindhava Lavana (Rock Salt)
|
Fat rich Meat, Fish
| Thin meat soups |
Alcohol
| Water boiled with Aswagandha, Amrita (Giloya), Nagara (Ginger)
|
Anxiety, mental stress, anger | Happiness |
Physical exertion Lack of sleep Day sleep especially after meals Suppression of urges or forceful elimination Sedentary lifestyle Trauma Excessive dieting
| Cleanliness Mild exercise Regular sleep |
Dr. Chris Antony
(arri.mandi@gmail.com)