Ayurvedic Postpartum Diet

Kashayam, Kuzhamb, Vethukuli, Mutton soup, “Kozhimarunn “, some unknown lehyas and medicines come to the mind of many when they hear about traditional postnatal care and Ayurvedic postpartum diet.

But in the first few days, when the digestive power is reduced, many people who take kashaya, lehyam etc., without looking at the reason, get fever and end up blaming Ayurvedic treatment.

The rush to regain health with mutton soup and curry often results in the mother’s indigestion and severe colic for the baby.

Ayurvedic postnatal care considers your body type, fire strength, childbirth condition, baby’s health, and breast milk condition before beginning.

Importance of Ayurvedic Postpartum Diet

Is it necessary to follow an Ayurvedic postpartum diet? 

A lot of changes happen in a woman’s body during pregnancy. These changes occur not only in the uterus but the entire female body; the period for a woman to regain total health is about 45 days. This period is called Sutikakalam in Ayurveda.

 Ayurveda offers a specialized care plan for those new moms.

But plan all such cares step by step after assessing the mode of delivery, the health of the mother and baby and other conditions. Of course, a skilled doctor can do this. Ayurvedic treatment done without looking at this can cause more harm. 

Self-medication, without medical prescription, has brought the Ayurvedic community into disrepute. The treatment done after the mentioned period will be ineffective. Therefore, soon after delivery, a person who knows the condition of the mother and the baby well should approach a good doctor with a discharge summary and get treatment.

Bathing is as essential as internal medications. In the case of a smooth delivery, you can start bathing in medicated water as soon as you get home.

If it is a Cesarean, after two weeks, you should make sure that the wound has healed before starting the procedure. 

If fever or signs of infection are observed, stop the treatment temporarily. In a few people, there is a possibility of swelling or pain after applying the paste to the body. 

So start it only as per the doctor’s advice and seek advice if you see the above symptoms.

What are the healthy foods that support postpartum care?

New moms’ common concern is what is the best Ayurvedic postpartum diet. Here are some tips

• Get used to low-fat food.
• Drink milk daily. Those who have phlegm problems should practice curdled milk with garlic or turmeric.
• Legumes, especially chickpeas, are suitable for breastfeeding.
• Include leafy greens like moringa leaves, vegetables and fruits in your diet.
• Include red onion and garlic in your diet.
• Using Fenugreek as porridge or with coconut milk and jaggery is suitable for breast milk.
• Remember that not drinking enough water can lead to decreased breast milk supply and urinary tract infections.
• Methi (fenugreek seeds) laddus can also be eaten for up to 45 days. After delivery, It will help restore the uterus to its former size and enhance the quality of the breast milk. Fenugreek or methi leaves are rich in iron and vitamin K, allowing you to regain your lost health. As the body loses ample nutrients during childbirth, methi helps build the nutrient reserves again.
• Following the principle ‘like increases like’, the new mother should drink sufficient milk to produce ample breast milk. A cup of milk with Shatavari Kalpa is recommended twice, three times daily.
• It is advisable to have fixed and regular timings for meals and to eat only as much as is satiating but does not cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. She should continue to eat panchamrut and almonds that have been soaked in water for a night and peeled. All these supplements are of tremendous benefit, and these benefits are passed on to the baby indirectly through breast milk.
• Gourds have several health benefits that are unknown to the West. Vegetables from the gourd family, like bitter and bottle gourd, help correct the hormonal imbalances in a new mother’s body.
• Dry fruits are rich in good cholesterol, energy and Vitamin E. Indian women are given generous amounts of cashew, raisins, walnuts and almonds.
• Drumsticks are green vegetables that are eaten mainly in India. This vegetable is an immunity-boosting food that helps the mother fight off infections.
• Spinach is a superfood that gives you iron, calcium, Vitamin K and Vitamin A.
• Beetroot is among the best vegetables to be taken in the postnatal period. It provides the convalescent mother with rich nutrients like iron and beta-carotene.
•  Eggs provide the perfect mix of fats, proteins and calcium that a woman needs post-childbirth. It helps to keep her strong enough and also helps regulate hormonal imbalances in the body.
• Drinking buttermilk mixed with Pippali Mool (the root of piper longum) is recommended every morning for three weeks after delivery. This helps restore the uterus and the abdominal circumference to its former status. Half a teaspoon of Pippali Mool powder should be mixed with the required quantity of buttermilk and consumed.
• Kegel exercises help to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and can be started as prescribed by the doctor.

What Should be avoided in Ayurvedic Postpartum Diet

• Avoid sour, spicy, astringent and incompatible foods.
• Avoid meat for the first few days; it is better to avoid it for the first few days as it will decrease your digestive fire. Besides, hot food also delays the recovery of the uterus. 

How to schedule a healthy Ayurvedic postpartum diet?

A woman is always given importance in Ayurveda by imparting care at every phase of her life in respect of Rajaswala charya (menstrual care), Garbhini Paricharya ( Antenatal Care), and Sutika Paricharya (Postnatal Care). 

In Ayurveda, the term Sutika (Puerperal women) is used only after the expulsion of the placenta. 

Puerperium is the period following childbirth during which the body tissues, especially the pelvic organs, revert to a pre-pregnant state anatomically and physiologically. 

Due to the development of the foetus, instability of body tissues, exertion of labor pains and excretion of moisture and blood, women become very weak. After proper puerperal care, the woman regains all the lost energy and reaches pre-pregnant status. 

Any health problem arising during this time could be challenging to treat and, in some cases, impossible to cure. Administering special remedies (to strengthen and protect her) can provide the necessary care and attention right from the beginning of the postpartum phase. There are three postpartum phases, as described below.

1. The first ten days: 

Immediately after the delivery, the new mother is tired and will indeed have vaginal bleeding. She requires special attention at this time.

2. The first 45 days:

It is essential to follow the guidelines to help the uterus contract to its normal size again. Diet, medicines, and body care that ensure the adequate production of breast milk are recommended during this time.

3. Until the reappearance of menstruation: 

Time until the recommencement of menstruation is included in the postpartum period, so the woman is ‘sutika’ during this entire phase. Paying careful attention to DietDiet, behavior, and lifestyle ensures adequate breast milk production and maintains hormonal balance. This also prevents weight gain and helps her regain her physical shape.

First week

The first week aims at enhancing your digestive fire

1. Medicated Porridge

Consume rice porridge mixed with panchakola churna and consume enough water

2. Medicated Ghee

Ghee with panchakola churna is given to the new mom to heal her wounds and give her instant energy. As the mother often feels tired in the postnatal period, ghee gives her immense strength and energy.

Second Week

All the above processes can be continued along with 

Medicated Mutton Soup

Rejuvenating preparations can be consumed in a normal delivery from the second week onwards. In the case of a Caesarean section, you can start this treatment after two-three weeks.

Ayurvedic medications

Besides these, Ayurvedic medicines listed below may be taken as well.

• Dashamoolarishta, 
• Jeerakadhyarista, 
• Dhanwantharam kashayam, 
• Puli Kuzhambu, 
• Ullilehyam, 
• Nayopayam lehyam, 
• Satavari Gulam, 
• Thenginpookkuladi rasayanam 

Continue these care plans until the recommencement of the menstrual cycle.

Benefits of the Ayurvedic Postpartum Diet

• To ensure the availability and enhance the purity of breast milk for the baby.
• To shrink the uterus and return it to its former health.
• To decrease the weakness in the female body caused by labour and associated bleeding.
• To restore muscle strength and health.
• To regulate body weight.
• To replenish and strengthen the vagina due to stretching.

Ayurvedic Herbs for better lactation

There are two aspects of healthy breast milk, i.e., improving breast milk quality and enhancing breast milk quantity. These are very important aspects as they will influence the child’s health.

Some herbs that enhance breast milk quality are Sunthi, devadaru, musta, murva, patha, sariba, katuka rohini etc.

Herbs that increase breast milk production include njavara rice, darbha, kusha, sugarcane, shatavari etc.

Follow the diet described above for healthy breast milk.

Conclusion

Proper postnatal care can reverse the mineral and energy loss caused by pregnancy and childbirth. It helps restore a woman’s health and regain her confidence levels. Ayurveda offers specialized and personalized care plans for a healthy puerperium. You must take ample care during this phase of life.

So Happy Motherhood!