Abstract

BREAST FEEDING AS BOON FOR MOTHER AND BABY IN AYURVEDIC PERCEPTION

Dr. Aditya Narayan Upadhyay*, Dr. Mahesh Narayan Gupta and Dr. Ragini Tiwari

ABSTRACT

It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for human infants. Breast milk is the optional food for almost all infants in the first year of life. The breast milk provides numerous health benefits to both mother and baby. Breastfeeding should begin soon after birth. It is important that infant should open their mouth wide enough at the time of breastfeeding to grasp the nipple and areola. Breastfeeding is the best way to care for new child. Likewise in Ayurvedic text, breast feeding is discussed under as a samskara of child which should be started with enchanting of mantras. According to doshas (vitiating factor) all have equal importance and quiet necessary for the proper growth of child. This is an effort to show the concept on the importance of breast milk.

Keywords: Samskara, Breastmilk, Breastfeeding, Mantras.