Child Care in Ayurveda

Ayurveda has given lot of consideration for proper child-care. Kashyapa has explained a special branch of pediatrics. Child-care was one of the three main branches initially established. It is known as “Bala” or “Kaumarbhrutya Tantra”. Kashyapa believed proper childcare is the foundation of the future of the culture.

Rejuvenation- Ayurveda has advised 16 special ceremonies to be performed on all children from their birth up to the age of 16. All these have medicinal benefit. For example, immediately after the birth, a mixture of honey and small amount of calamus powder is put on a gold object and given to the baby to lick. The purpose is to remove excess mucous from the upper respiratory tract and to boost the immune system.

Message – A daily message with warm seasame oil, narayana oil, or bala oil should be done to improve circulation and digestion. It calms the nervous system, strengthens the skin, and promotes good sleep. Message should be followed by warm bath. Fomentation with medicated herbs is done and calamus powder is applied to the skin. This is for deodorant and antiseptic purpose.

Stages of childhood – It is important to ascertain the constitution of the child, because the same diet is not good for all children. According to age, three different stages of childhood have been described. For the first 3 years the child needs only the mothers or cow’s milk. From ages 3-6, the child should have a mixed diet of milk and other foods like fruit juices, soup of green vegetables, or cereal. In the third stage, the child can take a diet of bread and rice. In this stage milk is not important. We find that many children are allergic to milk. The best way to remove his allergy is to cook the milk with small amount of dry ginger powder, starting from a quarter teaspoon and slowly increasing this amount to 1 teaspoon for 100 ml. of milk.

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