Understanding Baby Food

Granite State Whale Watch

Food for the baby is decided based on the agni the digestive fire which is the most important factor that determines the growth and nutrition of child

Agni indicates the capacity of digestion. It is necessary for the assimilation of nutrients. If the function of Agni is not proper then that will lead to number of health problems for eg colic pain, diarrhoea, skin rashes, food allergies, etc. Food allergies occurs mainly because of poor digestion, accumulation of undigested food and also because of the wrong combination of food. Often skin problems such as eczema and rashes are related to the above reason.

Breast milk -The best food

breastfeeding info graphic posterThe best food for baby is the breast milk.and the baby should be breastfed alone until  6 months and continue upto 2 years. During the period of breastfeeding the mother should be aware that whatever food she takes is transformed to breastmilk can influence the digestion of the baby. If there is undigested food  that is not evacuated from the mothers body then it may putrefy and become Aama (metabolic toxins)  and the breast milk also carries the Aama. This Aama may pass on to the baby which if again remains undigested in the baby’s food causes many health problems especially skin diseases for eg eczema.

The undigested breast milk can create colic pain, loose stools,constipation,distention, gas formulation in the baby.

As long as the  baby’s food is breast milk the treatment is given to mothers and not the baby

Babies are born with the potential of Agni, but their Agni is not yet functioning at birth.So its very important to understand the digestion of the baby.

Ayurveda suggests many formulations to improve the lactation and quality of the breast milk. It also suggests alternatives if breast milk is not available.

If the mother doesn’t have enough milk the baby can be fed with breast milk of another woman known in Ayurveda as Dhatri. But while choosing Dhatri lot of points are to be considered.

Again if this option is not available goats milk should be next choice. Goats milk is considered to be  best substitute for breast milk. Cows milk can be boiled with equal quantity of water with  herbs such  as bruhati and with sugar. Cows milk can be given to babies with Vata and pitta prakriti and goats milk for kapha prakriti.

Introduction to solids

The baby should be fed on breast milk alone until the teeth erupts..Once teeth erupts gradually solids should be introduced reducing the breast milk. Around 10th month Annaprasana samskar is conducted. The baby is made to taste the cooked rice few time the same  day.

Ayurveda says solids or cereals can be  introduced to baby after 6 to 12 months depending upon the baby’s appetite and  the liking of food. Initially solids should be introduced few teaspoons per day and then gradually increase the quantity. Also replacing with too much solids can cause drying up of breast milk.So its always advisable to start with few teaspoons. Breast milk can also  be used to dilute any of the other foods given.

First Baby food

Brother and sister
The ideal first baby food as suggested by all the text of Ayurveda are the cereals and grains.They are generally given as the main food to children.Cereals builds tissue strength and is easy for  digestion digest esp good for the budding Agni of a baby. Old rice, Brown rice, wheat ,barley or ragi are generally the first  cereals introduced to the baby. Barley water from whole grain is given in Chinese tradition from first week.

Brown rice or Navara rice is dehusked, fried and then cooked into thin gruel. Little bit of ghee and salt can be added to  this.Wheat and barley flour can be cooked and given same way.

Wheat esp the Samba variety are soaked overnight .The husk are removed and grains are ground with water .This ground mixture is strained through a cloth. This extract  is cooked with water and cows milk or breast milk .Sugar candy, ghee and dry-ginger can be added to increases the taste and flavor.

Traditionally malt preparations of ragi ,wheat are also given as first baby food.

These preparations generally can be mixed with breastmilk or goats milk or cows milk .Ghee ,sugar candies or palm candies are added to increase the taste. Also can be flavored with gentle digestive seasonings like dry ginger, elaichi, nutmeg powder.Using bit  of spices such as coriander, cumin, turmeric, hing can add taste to food along with helping the digestion of food.

Once the child is comfortable with the cereals  root vegetables such as carrot, beets or legumes  can be added to food. Beans and peas can also be gas forming unless properly prepared.

Dried raw banana powder is also one of the popular baby foods given 6 month onwards. Cooked fruits and purees of vegetables or fruits that are not acidic can be given. Fruits are helpful to prevent the constipation in child.

Depending on your culture, meat can also be introduced along with food around 12 months of age. Its better to start with with poultry, meat soups, then fish. Red meats are harder to digest for the little ones.

Ayurvedic preparation for babies

The Agni or digestive system of the baby needs time to adapt to each food introduced to digest.So it always advised to to keep one food for sometime until you are sure the child can digest it properly and go forthe next food.Different food mixed at the same meal even if given in pureed form can cause indigestion.

This is because the Agni (or enzymes if you like) needs to sort out the different foods in order to transform them, or digest them.

Ayurveda suggests preparations such as modakas that can be given to babies esp who are on solids to improve the digestion as well their immunity.They are given once teeth eruption begins and baby weaining is started.As the baby is given milk and solids chances for  indigestion is more and these modakas made of puffed rice and sugars with herbs is very useful

There are also numerous immunomodulatory formulations mentioned that are given as lehana  such as ghrita, choorna mixed with honey etc.

These medicines not only improve the digestion but also improves the immunity, strength, vital force of the child.They prepare the child physically and mentally healthy.They can be called as Ayurvedic vaccinations. Suvarnaprashan is the one of the most important formulation mentioned in text. This is prescribed especially for babies who are not breastfed enough and born not through natural birth (or cesarean sections).

Most importantly avoiding refined sugar, bottled juices, canned baby foods. Balanced food with proteins and enough fat keeps the baby’s digestive system proper state.

Following these simple steps can reduce the digestive, metabolic, respiratory problem for the infants and children as well improve their strength, immunity and memory of the children.

Vaccha bracelet

Learn the age old practice from our ancestors to protect infants from various illness.

IMG_20160620_204026Today was an unusual day. At whatsapp, I shared Vaccha Bracelet to let parents know about this life saving herb for just born kids. In short time, say less than 6 hours, the parenting community jumped in and we ended up launching a product.

Vaccha, or popularly known as Vasambu in Tamil or sweet flag (English name) is one of the nine sacred herbs along with  honey and gold ash that was administered to children in ancient times. In Siddha text, they call it as, “Pillai marunthu” means Pediatric medicine.

In olden days, after 11th to 16th day naming ceremony, they tie this bracelet in babies both hands. Along with this, they also, tie a special rope around neck and hip, which we will blog later. In olden days, a gold string was beaten with vaccha. Daily mother would rub this vaccha gold stick on a sandalwood base and take the paste and apply a mark on babies top of the head, palm, and feet. Those are the osmotic areas. Our body absorbs the properties of the paste. This is  practiced in some parts of Kerala even now.

IMG_20160624_150000They tie this bracelet as a natural insecticide. When kids lick it, a small amount of medicine is taken into the body to protect it. This is an amazing herb that is known for its preventive and curative actions.

There is no age limit to use it, usually it can be used till the age of 5 and more. As kids at this age won’t lick their fingers.

This is also one  form of swarnaprashana called as Swarnavaccha, popularly sold in many ayurvedic shops. In case, if you are following swarnaprashana, Vaccha is already in the suvarnaprashan that your doctor has provided. In that case, you do not have to follow Swarnavaccha.

In olden days, they even used to make kajal out of it to apply on forehead, top of palm, foot of the child to protect from evil eyes. Since these areas are osmotic areas, it helps them from filtering impurities to get into the body. (imagine like the water filter using carbon to filter water) It is just not about the evil eyes, it has medical and spiritual reasons too. This improves their sleep and keep the mind calm for epilepsy kids.   

Siddha and Ayurveda texts provides list of various benefits. To mention a few:

  • Epilepsy – Vasambu powder + honey. With only mother milk as main diet, this is effective
  • Indigestion or gas or diarrhoea – powder of Ink Nut + Long pepper + pepper + dry ginger + Vaccha + Asafoetida + Indian Atees
  • Cold or fever or pain in abdomen – Vaccha + Liquorice

Its root has even higher benefits. To mention few:

  • Strong Nervous system – Vaccha root is taken in less quantity.
  • Gas – root of vaccha is burnt and its ash is mixed with coconut oil and applied below the navel.
  • Vaccha in general helps in proper brain development, speech ability, eyesight. It also acts as neutralizer to toxins in the body.  
It is very easy to make one by yourself.
  1. Start on a Pushya, Anuradha, Kettai Nakshatra day. Soak the vaccha up to 8 hours
  2. Clean the skin
  3. Cut it into small beads
  4. With long needle use cotton thread and make it like a bracelet

IMG-20160624-WA0033

Some make with gold and precious stones. It is not a must. But if you can, nothing wrong as long as the stones, gold are pure and craftsmanship is good, so that it does not cut or prick the skin of the baby, then it is good. There is a parent in our group, who is a retail jeweller. In case if you like to touch base with him. Do ping him in our whatsapp group directly. Below is the sample he uses it for kids.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com

Garbhini Paricharya – The Ancient Art Conceiving, Pregnancy and Post Delivery – 1 of 3

Conception

Though our holistic whatsapp group consist of majority of parents, we do have yet-to-be parents also in our group. We do often get requests in our group and in private chat, asking about the preparations for a holistic conception. This blog is dedicated to those couples, and for existing parents who are planning for next conception. We will cover the pregnancy and post delivery later.

Garbhadhana as mentioned in ancient Indian texts means gifting the womb or attaining the wealth of womb. It is more of a spiritual act designed in a scientific manner and calculated the best way to produce a healthy, intellectual, beautiful offspring with a long life and best progeny. It was considered as a duty of the married couple to bring into this world such spiritually aware children who are beneficial to parents as well as society.

The garbhadhana is the science by which a human population of civilized, cultured, brilliant disease free offspring with physical strength and other qualities like humanity, sincerity, compassion, spirituality, loyalty, courage that could be generated. The man places his seed in woman to conceive virtuous children. This was practiced as a ceremony – the garbhadhana samskara mostly as private rite of passage. It is one of the sixteen samskaras which are carried out as rituals and regimen representing the symbolic change in the life of individual. Garbha Samskara is made of two words Garbha and Samskara.

Garbha means fetus and Samskara means to replace bad qualities by good ones. It is proposed to impart changes at physical, mental, spiritual and emotional level in the developing embryo.

Susruta says the child born by Garbhadhana samskara will be physically fit, have attractive features and long life and capable of repaying the debts born by the father and helpful to father. The progeny with bad character even if born in high family destroys the reputation of whole family. The method of Garbhadhan samskar for a worth full child, endow future generations with good health, noble quality, high intelligence and improve the innate quality of mankind.

Pre-conceptional care in Ayurveda

Dos rayitas

In the ancient days, the selection of partners was done using their birth chart, clan, age and maturity of the all Chatus (seven body tissues). They do this to make sure their offspring is free from diseases.

Pre-conceptional care comprises of certain rituals and regime with do’s and dont’s that are to be followed strictly by the father to be & mother. All efforts are taken to provide the best environment for the foetal development.

There are several factors involved in this process including diet & appropriate activities and raising the level of spiritual consciousness. The powerful intention for a baby from both the parents attracts the soul to enter the womb.

Just as healthy plant needs appropriate season, good soil, water, good quality seeds to grow there are four major factors in the couples that makes the conception possible and essentially determine the nature and growth of child. If these four necessities are not fulfilled properly, it may lead to infertility or complications during pregnancy.

Four essential folds for getting Pregnant mentioned by Acharya Sushruta:

  1. Rutu (Cycle) Shuddhi
    The biological clock of the body is related with the reproductive system.The inharmony of the biological cycle leads to many disorders of the reproductive cycle and becomes major concern of infertility. Before conceiving any reasons for infertility (Menstrual cycle disorders, PCOD, Hypothyroidism, Oligospermia in males or any other sexdysfunction) should be corrected and managed
  2. Kshetra Shuddhi
    As a healthy seed needs a fertile soil to grow, a healthy foetus needs a healthy womb to get implanted. The body and mind of the mother needs to be wholesome and purified. The garbhashaya or the womb (Uterus, Ovaries, Vagina) must be purified and healthy ready to receive the baby
  3. Ambu- Nutritional Mechanism
    Before conception the nutritional status of the mother should be ensured. Any metabolic or nutritional disorder for eg anaemia that might affect the baby’s development should be corrected. The nutritional mechanism should be purified so as to fulfill the needs of baby during the nine months of pregnancy
  4. Bija Shudhi
    It is the purification of male and female gametes (sperm and ovum). Garbhanda samskara is said to have its effect on the genetic type of foetus. Prevention of hereditary disorders and congenital anomalies is be achieved along with happy and healthy children by this method.

Baby Love

Before conception, the couple is advised to perform a personalized purification and rejuvenation to product an optimal quantity and quality of ovum and sperm. This process is performed at least six month ahead of conception. The doshas are brought to normalcy and body and mind are well prepared for conception by panchakarma and the following methods:

  1. Panchakarma(Detoxification)
    As a first step the couples undergo detoxifying therapy the panchakarma like vamana virechana basti and uttaravasti to remove the vitialted doshas and any reason for illness
  2. Vajeekarna
    Charaka mentions rejuvenation regime before conception called vajeekarnam for ensuring happy and healthy progeny. The ancient text Charaka Samhita explains- “The aim of vajikaranam is to enable a couple to produce healthy progeny who can assist them to perform their life’s mission (dharma).”
    After the panchakarma many formulations such as different medicated ghee are given to male and female to improve their fertility. Men are given medicated ghee and milk preparations. Herbs such as Aswagandha, Kapikachu are generally advised. Women are given preparation of sesame seeds and black gram to enhance ovulation and proper implantation of foetus
  3. Sattvic diet
    The diet should be essentially satvik which is rich in calcium, magnesium, folic acid, B12. Oily, Spicy and processed should be avoided as much as possible. General reproductive foods include Desi milk, Urad dhal, Mung dhal, Honey, Dates, Almonds. Man should take food more with ghee and milk and women should use sesame oil more in her diet
  4. Putreshtiyagna
    Pujas and homam are performed for getting rid of the complications during pregnancy or problems in conceiving. Couple who wish to beget a healthy and intelligent child can perform homas like purusha sukta homam and santhanagopala homam dedicated to lord Mahavishnu and Gopala Krishna.
    Those who are expecting can also perform these puja for healthy and intelligent children and those with children perform it for all round progress and benefit of children. Putra kameshti yagna is mentioned in Ramayana. King Dasaratha performed this yagna to begot his sons
  5. Celibacy
    Celibacy of 3 months is suggested before conception especially during the first three days of menstruation. It’s followed to ensure the best quality of male and female gametes. (shukra and rajah). Ayurveda says children conceived during menstruation will have less longevity and deformities such as blindness, deafness, skin diseases and many more consequences even intrauterine death of foetus
  6. Regimen during menstruation
    During her menstruation the lady should observe the Rajaswala paricharya regimen prescribed strictly. All her activities are essentially reduced to provide maximum rest and allow the body to empty and renew itself. She should not indulge in any fatiguing work or exercise. During this period body and mind will be very fragile and this time should be utilized to take rest with least degree of interference physically and mentally. She should not indulge in loud and excessive noise nor hear loud noises. Quick warm showers are advised as the appropriate means of body cleansing. Day sleep and intercourse are straitly avoided. Food should be easily digestible, not too heavy and oily, nor too dry and cold
  7. Best period for conception
    The best period for conception is ritukala that is 12 days from 4th day of menstruation. Selected days for coitus, odd days for achieving female progeny and even days for male progeny (except 11th day and 13th day) are to be considered. The good date for conception is fixed through astrology. Swaathi or Kettai or Chathayam Nakshatra is best for period for conception, provided the couple’s birthday is not on these days. One of the sex selection methods adopted for achieving desired sex of fetus as in Shettles method is days of performing intercourse.
  8. Rituals and hymn during coitus
    Bathed and dressed in fresh white clothes the couples applied with essential oils and flower garland should do the prayers. Following hymn from charaka samhita can be recited in unison to achieve diving blessings from Brahma, Vishnu, Soma and Surya to procure a courageous son.

Aum ahirasi ayurasi sarvata pratishthasi dhaata tvam,dadhaatu vidhaata tvam, dadhatu bramhavarcasa bhava,Brahama brhaspatir vishnu soma surya tatha asvinau, Bhagotha mitra varunau veeram daddaatu me sutaam

This is translated as “O creator and the cosmic truth! Please bless us with a courageous/strong child with a long life and health, with the qualities of Brahma (power to create), Brhaspati (power to alter the future), Vishnu (power to maintain), Soma (power to flourish), Surya (power to be succeed), Mitra (power to love) and Varuna (power to nurture)”.

Observance of all these methods before conception ensure having a good quality sperm and ovum and emotionally and physically healthy child
In Sushruta Samhita 2/46/50 it is said:

Aahaar-aachaara-cheshtaabhir-yaadrisobhih samanvitee |
Stree-pumso samupeyaatam tayoh puthro-api taadrisah ||

In conclusion, diet, temperament and behavior, of the man and woman at the time of physical intimacy, the baby born of such a union will also have a similar temperament. If the couple are not in a state of mental stability and calmness, even if they are physically fit, they cannot give birth to a healthy child. In the end, the objective of practicing a holistic planned approach is to attract a higher soul in a healthy body so that they are blessed with good, virtuous next generous children’s.

In continuation of this I will share some thoughts on pregnancy till delivery and post delivery.

Karnavedham, an ear piercing ceremony.

Try this with the help of someone at home. Close your eyes try to walk into kitchen and drink a glass of water. You will appreciate the value of our eyes, and how lucky we all are. It is not good to see many young kids with spectacles these days.

Sailors play pin the tail on the donkey.

When we explore our ancient text, it is very clearly stated that ear piercing at an early stage has significant effects on eyes. This practices is popularly known as Karnavedha. According to ancient spiritual people, a person’s ear is the key element to measure this spiritual quotient, intelligence and brainpower, no wonder why buddha has large ears. They would have probably made this comment because of their exceptional knowledge on planetary effects on human body. An expert Astrologer also would agree, that Ragu in a malefic position will make the person miser and that person would have a smaller ear contradicting to this is larger ear means spiritual in nature.

aaradhana

Our siddhas or spiritual scientists were by default experts in human anatomy and documented it in “Samuthirga lakshana”. They were able to see certain points in body could enhance the health of body, mind and soul. One of the prominent Siddha by name Thirumoolar mentioned that, there is 72000 nadis (can be equated to nerves in modern medical system) in human body. Out of this, he classified 10 most important nadis as dasa nadi. Athithi and Alampudai represents nerve of right and left ears. Which influence in triggering intellect, power of thinking and decision making capabilities. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behaviour and the ear-channels become free from disorders, apart from the big package, it plays a major role in immunity, better eyesight and alertness. That’s the reason sailors who visited india would pierce their ears to improve the eyesight.   It is strongly believed that Indian Siddha’s anatomical knowledge reached china and later evolved into acupressure and acupuncture. Today, it is one of the known and proven alternative medical practice for various chronic illness.

As always, our forefathers prescribed this practice for medical and spiritual reasons. Over period of time, this was integrated in various religion as one of the sixteen samskaras. Now, it has taken as a fashion statement.

similitud

In addition, reports mention how children with learning disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome, developmental and cognitive problems like ADHD/ADD reported an increase in performance and became more active in the class. Apparently, pinching the ear lobes has an acupuncture effect that helps. It is believed it gets rid of hysteria and other diseases and maintains the flow of electric current in our body.

They used Gold metal for its spiritual value and of course it never rusts. Birthstones was embedded into the earing to enhance their aura. As majority of the sense are in the head, wearing a birthstone as ear ring made a lot of sense. Mrigasheersham star is the best do an ear piercing.

So ear piercing alone will not improve the eyesight, it will enhance. Apart from that, “SCHOOL FOR PERFECT EYESIGHT“ at  Sri Aurobindo Ashram is providing a noble service for improving eye sights. If you or your kid have power in eyes, do make it a point to undergo this treatment.

The treatment is free, one may donate accoding to their own wish.

More Details given below.

SCHOOL FOR PERFECT EYESIGHT

Address House Name Service 2 A Lally Tolendal Street, Pondicherry, Near Old Distillery on the beach road (Goubert Avenue) Call: 0413 2233659 Contact by email : AUROEYESIGHT@YAHOO.COM

Working Hours 8 to 11 AM. and 3 to 5 PM. Weekly Holiday Monday + All the Govt. Holidays + Ashram Darshan Days

The Beneficiaries are in the age group 7 to 40. Children are taken only when they are 7 years old. The patient has to go there for a week with glasses and prior appointment onlyand undergo the treatment for a week, Daily 1 hour in morning and 1 hour in afternoon. Please plan it, if you want a stay.

P.S April, May, June and the last week of September and December are only for children and not for adults. All other months are open for both adults and children.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com

Jatakarma – Concise Ancient Immunisation Activitiy

September Fifteenth, Twenty Twelve
In today’s world when it comes to holistic childcare or wellness of the family, we have lot more options than ever. In the quest of finding the right procedure to build an over all healthy child seems to be an endless loop. Like a light at the end of the tunnel, current generation parents are indeed going back to the roots. It is surprising to see our ancestors have derived certain activities that is not only enhances physical or physiological growth, but for complete spiritual growth. Let us go back in time, and see what they did when a child is born.

We would strongly advice you to treat this article for information purpose only and seek your Doctors or right professionals if you want to follow it. We would like to thank all our parents in our whatsapp group who constantly kept us encouraging to publish something like this.

Immediately after birth

Very first thing when a baby arrives, they wanted to start with a positive impression on the baby, because babies can record consciously. The father would recite a Sloka in baby’s right ear.

“Angaadangaat sambhavasi hridayaadadhijayase|
Atma vai putranamaasi sa jiva saradassatham||”

Shathayuhu shathavarshoasi deerghamayuravapnuhi
Nakshatrani disho ratrirahashcha tvabhirakhshathu”

-Ashtanga Hridayam

Which means “You are born from each of my limbs. Heart is the abode of desire, called ‘Putra”, you are indeed my Atma (form). May you live a hundred years.”. The very first thing baby hears or get blessed is, “live a hundred years” Wow! What a positive thought our forefathers had!

Jatakarma

Woman breast-feeding a boy, Crafts Museum, New Delhi, India

From this point onwards, one of the six childhood saṃskaras starts, this is called Jatakarma. They first cut umbilical cord. Today in the west and some hospitals in India, do allow fathers to be part of delivery and he gets a chance to cut umbilical cord, this situation fosters a healthy bonding with the new born.

Post cutting of umbilical cord, father chants a sloka and administers mixture of gold bhasma, ghee and honey. They might have done this for two reasons, firstly they would welcome the new born with sweet taste, which will trigger baby’s taste buds. Secondly, normal mother would take three days to lactate, until then, this mixture called as swarna prashan will give necessary nourishment. While administering father would chant the following sloka

“Jatakarma pashyame sharadaha shatham jeevame sharadaha shad am shrunuyama sharadaha shatham

Medham te Devassavita medham Devi Saraswati|
Medham te Asvinou deva vadhattamam pushkarasraja||”

“May the effulgent Savita Deva, Saraswati Devi and Asvini Devas wearing lotus garlands bless you with Medha (power of retentive memory).” 

“Tvayi medham tvayi prajam tvayyagnistejo dadhatu|
Tvayi medham tvayi prajam tvayeendra indriyam dadhatu|
Tvayi medham tvayi prajam tvayi Suryo bhrajo dadhatu||”

“May Agnideva bestow on you retentive memory, progeny and splendor and power. May Indra bestow on you retentive memory, progeny and power of Indriyas (sense organs). May Surya bestow on you retentive memory, progeny and brilliance.”

The very next thing after blessing the child with long life, now, they enable and bless the baby with cognitive power.

On the first day, they used to give three type of gold based mixture with mantra japa, like :

  1. Gold and vacha
  2. Gold, vacha, brahmi, kushta, haritaki with ghee and honey
  3. Gold, amalaki, chorrnam, ghee and honey.

They also placed the sacred nine grains called as navadhanyam mixed with turmeric water powder near the head side for 7 days. Each grains represent one the cosmic planet that influences the baby to attend positive support form this planets. Turmeric was mixed to drive away insects. There is also a hidden message in nine grains, which we will explore in our forthcoming article.

From day one to first birthday day, a lemon was kept near the head to observe the negative vibrations.

Second day and third day, yashimadhu ghrtam would be give, by this time, mother would be able to lactate. In case of delay in lactation, they used to give fresh butter.

Mother’s feed

Illustration Acorus calamus0

By now, mother starts to feed her baby. At this stage mother would offer the right breast first with the following sloka.

“Ayam kumaro jaraam dhayatu dirghamayuh:|
Yasmai tvam sthanaprapyayayur varcho yaso balam||”

“May this child, by suckling, drink old age and long life. (may live a long life). O breast, enable this child to develop long life, brilliance, fame and strength.”

In some case, mother may not be able to lactate, the best alternative was to give goats milk

While feeding, a pot of water is placed at the head side of the baby. Following mantra is recited.

“Aapassuptheshu jagratha rakshaamsi niritho nudadhvam||”

“O Waters, while we sleep, you be awake and drive away demons from here.”

Pot of water can be placed at the head side of the baby till they sleep peacefully alone and pour this water to baby’s birth star plant, this washes away the negative energy. Even adults can follow this to protect them from bad dreams.

In lines to heal the birth wound, and nourishment overall growth, by applying cloth soaked in ghee on the head, If you read our article why they tonsure babies and healing property of ghee, you would know ghee would act as a amazing healer for skull development for baby.

They also used to wear vacha on hands, legs, neck and head. Precious gems were in use during olden days along with horn of cow or ox or deer. All these would help baby to heal and protect their nonphysical body.

Fumigation would be started with vacha, ashtagantha and few more herbs to strengthen their breathing path, protect from cold and purify air around that area. Mantras were chanted during morning and evening daily.  By the tenth day they perform Naming ceremony known as Namakarana, which we will write in detail later.

It is astonishing to see our ancient peripatetic knowledge and practice is far advanced than we think, and in fact with no side effects! read that again. In our continuation of this article we will list of exact herbs and proportion that starts from day 1 to age 12.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com

Why our ancestors insisted a ritual for introducing solids (Annaprashana) to infants?

She is a Rice girl

In the series of reviving ancient practices with spiritual-scientific meaning, we will decode a specific activity called as Annaprasana. That is, action of introducing semi-solids to solids to baby. Like tonsuring, swarnaprashana, naming and so on, our ancestors have listed Annaprasana as of the sixteen samskaras to be performed by parent to child. This practice was very popular in olden days, it was spanning from india to iranian culture. Hence, you will find this in parsi custom too.

The process of introducing the semi-solids / solids is timed at a particular stage, NOT with respective month. This is extremely wrong. It should be done between the time, when teeth begin to show and mother’s milk starts to diminish. Another reason is, during this time, when teeth show up, it is a clear sign of digestive fire has started to work. So 6th month or 10th month is time the range, but not beyond 10th month. Best judge is the mother. When she know her milk is not sufficient and she sees a teeth, that is the time to introduce solids. It is also a warning sign for mother to slowly reduce her feed. Else, kids will get into suckling and mother unconsciously will lose her own energy.

Best judge is the mother!

Why pray before feeding?

Today, scientifically all agree that, what you think and say have an influence over everything. “Tesla said it. Einstein Agreed. Science proved it. It is a known fact that everything—including our own bodies—is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. That being said, can sound frequencies affect us? They sure can. Frequencies affect frequencies; much like mixing ingredients with other ingredients affects the overall flavor of a meal.” – Kasim Khan. Hence, they used to chant mantras or pray to their respective divine. That is why we pray before eating – to invoke the positive energy.

image-asss

Water memory also illustrates how our own intentions can even alter the material world. This has been demonstrated by Dr. Masaru Emoto, who has performed studies showing how simple intentions through sound, emotions and thoughts can dramatically shape the way water crystallizes. This is also one of the reason, they pray before starting anything, particularly when mother feeds, keeping the mind calm and chanting help a lot.

Which day?

If you know the reasons “Why you shouldn’t cut nails during New Moon day (Amavasya)?” You would know, we are unconsciously affected by heavenly bodies all the time. Each nakshatra is a specific vibration that we can use it. That is the reason Swarna Prashana is given on a Pushya day. In similar line, Rohini has a specific effect. It is best for doing Annaprashana. If you can not follow this day, at least avoid birth star day.

640px-AnnaPrashan_(Anna_Prashan)_-_Hindu_First_Rice_Eating_Ceremony

Why this ritual?

In ancient time, this day was also meant to test kids memory. Memory to remember the past life. Today we have parapsychology that does lot of research on past life. For simpler version, trying reading the famous book “Many lives many master” by Prominent Psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss

After the first feeding, they used to place different articles, like money, toys, knife, books, flower, food and so on at equal distance to the child. Kids usually crawl towards those items and pick and play. They keep repeating this exercise few more time, sometimes it will be random and other times you will notice a pattern. They do it in ancient japanese tradition too, This reveals his journey for this lifetime.

What to give?

- by Dr. Laskhmy
Start with navara rice, wheat or barley
Modakas are the weaning foods mentioned in Ayurveda in form of semi-solid bolus given for babies on milk and solids. During the weaning phase babies are prone to health problems such as indigestion, diarrhea. Modakas are the weaning foods that can be helpful.
Priyala majja (Seed of Buchanania Lanzan), yashti madhu (glycyrhyzia glabra), honey, puffed rice and sugar-good for improving the nutritional status
Balavilwa (unripe fruit of Aegle marmelos), Elakka, Sugar, Puffed rice-good for digestion
Dhataki, sugar, puffed rice -prevents constipation
Shalyadi modaka- Prepared using any single cereal like rice, wheat, barley, etc. Based on the staple food of family.This can be combined with pulses after the child gets used to it.
Other ghrtas (Ghee based medicines) given for toddlers
Saraswata ghrtam
Mahasaraswata ghrtam
Ashtanga ghrtam
Vachadi ghrtam
Vachadi choornam for speech therapy - Vacha, Yashti Madhu, Rock salt, Haritaki, Shunti, Ajwain, Kushta, Pippalil, Jeerakam, Wight ghee.

Over a period of time, again, the reason was forgotten and people use the month count. If we look deeper, it was a based on common sense. It is amazing how brilliant our ancestors were.

A detailed blog is written by dr. lakshmy on understanding baby food.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com

Why you should tonsure (shave), particularly for baby?

Joaquin y sus 9 meses
Following overwhelming response of “Why you shouldn’t cut nails during New Moon day (Amavasya)?” – We are continuously getting more request for writing new articles on various lifestyle practices. In those lines, let us explore an activity that is very important for newborn and for adult – tonsure (or cut hair).

Tonsuring is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp. This is done from infants to adults. Tonsuring is practiced in, all most all, religions. It is always connected with events of life style. It is so very important that it became one of the sixteen samsara known as chudakarana. There are plenty of meaning why our ancestors had given importance to this practice and their associated religious stories – you either ask your granny or Google it to know more.

aaradhanaLet us explore from a spiritual and common sense. From our research that is, searching data outside and deep self introspection through meditations, it became very clear and obvious to us that this is more from an medical meaning to it. At the time of birth, if we examine carefully, we will know the skull of an infant is not a single bone, but a collection of 6 bones creating a gap over the skull. Only because of the flexibility of these bones, the baby’s head passes through the birth canal easily during the time of birth. Had it been a single bone, C section would be the only answer. It is really amazing to see nature’s best work!

According to Embryology, these collection of bones create two gaps called as fontanellel. One at the top of the skull and other at the centre of the skull. Now, you might realise why baby’s head top is very soft and usually no one touches it. This gap on the top, called  as, Anterior fontanelle, takes around two and half years to close. The other gap, called as posterior fontanelle, takes around 6-8 weeks to close. Over a period of time, these gaps fill and new bone tissues are created over it to form a fully developed skull.

normal-skull-newbornTo seal the gap efficiently, and nourish the growth of these bones, we need vitamin D. Best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Hair over the head blocks the sun rays. So if we tonsure, the head is nicely exposed to sunlight allowing to generate enough vitamin D. Probably, that is why in some religion they leave a small portion of hair during tonsure over the gaps to make sure those gaps are not touched in by mistake.

This is one of the reason we always push our parents (in our Holistic Parenting Whatsapp group) to practice at least weekly oil bath. Apart from skull development, tonsure helps in stimulating a healthy blood flow, growth of hair, enhances brain development, nervous systems, free from lice, relief from headaches and pains caused during teething.

To conclude, now, we know why our ancestors insisted to tonsure at regular intervals. Usually the 9th month, 3 years and 5th years. Over a period of time, the real meaning was forgotten and it was done as per convenience or for the sake of respect or wishes from parents or grandparents.

Do share us your belief on tonsure, this will be useful for all other parents.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com