IMPORTANCE OF BREAST MILK

INTRODUCTION:

Lactation is secretion of milk from breasts. Breast milk is the best milk for infants. It is natural phenomenon which occurs in mammals. Usually baby recognizes mother by tactile sensation that initiates ‘rooting and sucking reflex’. Mother’s ‘vatsalya’ (affection) towards child, hearing cry of baby initiates galactokinesis (ejection of milk). Breast feeding increases bonding between mother and baby. Ayurveda considers breast milk equals to nectar. Sthanya has properties of shankabha(color of conch shell), madhuram(sweet to taste),sheeta(cold potency),jeevanam (increase survival of baby), brhmana (anabolic action), satmya (suits for immature digestive system), pacify pitta, sara(laxative),shudda (naturally sterile), ojo karam (increases immunity, milk lactose inhibits  E-coli,poliovirus), sleshmalam (low fat helps in easy digestion),  and  mother can feed at any time. It even beneficial to mother acting as natural contraceptive (due to prolactin hormone prevents ovulation), early recovery to prepregnant state, post partum hemorrhage, lessens risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis. In present days due to modernization, lack of time (in working women), misconceptions on breast feeding, increased caesarian section making infants away from breast feed. In India, every year 26 million children are taking birth. Among them only 41.6% are benefitted with mother’s milk with in 1 hour after delivery (acc to NFHS-4). Approximately 15 millions are not getting such privilege. Only 55% of infants are exclusively breast fed (according to WHO, up to 6 months of baby lifespan should exclusively breast fed).

PRAKRITHA EVAM VIKRUTHA STHANYA:

According to ayurveda, shuddha sthanya should be normal in color, smell, taste and touch, mix evenly when pour in water. If mother performs viruddha aharasevana, viruddha vihara, oushadhatiyoga can cause dushitha sthanya. This is because sthanya is upadhatu of rasa dhatu and directly influenced by qualities of rasa dhatu.this can be diagnosed by letting a drop of milk in water. In case of vata dushita sthanya, milk drop floats in water. In case of pitta, gives out a yellow tinge in water. In case of kapha, milk drop sinks. Dushita sthanya causes nutrional deficiencies and vividha roga in children. Sthanya kshaya is condition where breast milk is less than 2 anjali pramana per feed. This is usually prevented in India by using as regular pathya for delivered women in name of Panjil & Pinni (North India), Kaatu(Gujarathi), Methipak(West Bengal), Gondh laddu(Maharashtra), Payasam(South India).

CHIKITSA:

In dushta sthanya, ‘Matha/Upamatha/Dhatri’ should undergo ‘mrudu virechana’ and drug like Maha tikthaka gritam, Guduchyadhi tailam, Patola churnam, Dasa mula arishta can be given. In sthanya kshaya, drugs like Shatavari kalpa, Jeerakadhi arishta, and Sowbhagya sunti can be advised. Eka oushada used in sthanya kshaya are swetha jeeraka, sata pushpa, shatavari, lasuna, ajamoda, twak patra, vidari kanda, methika, vacha, yashti madhu, ksheera.

STHANYA AS OUSHADA:

There are many references in samhitas where sthanya be used as oushada.

“Maanusham vatapitta asruk abhigatha akshirogajith|tarpana aschyotana nasyaihi” (A H SU 5/26)

PICHU (TAMPON): Breast milk can be used as local pichu in case of hemorrhage and for wound healing

ASCHYOTANA (EYE DROPS): They can be used as eye drops in case of eye irritation, excess lacrimation, congestion, pain and discomfort

NASYA (NASAL DROPS): Breast milk mixed with ikshu rasa can be used as nasal drops in case of epistaxis, excess thirst or dryness of mouth, pacify pitta.

In compound drugs:

MRITA SANJEEVINI SURA: One of the ingredients in this drug. It is balyam and rasayanam

KACCHURADI CHURNAM: This powder is mixed with breast milk and applied on fore head for relieving from sirah sula.

CONCLUSION:

Explanation about ‘Upamatha/ Dhatri’ (wet-nurse) explains the importance of mother’s milk. They are equal to milk banks in recent era. 

There is need to create awareness about breastfeeding.

 The key issues are 

PROTECTION: Need to protect mother from artificial milk.

PROMOTION: Need to create awareness, removing misconceptions.

SUPPORT: Maternity hospitals, family, society, working area, non govt. association should support breastfeeding mother.

Internationally a week is dedicated for breastfeeding from aug 1- aug 7 of every year with a new motto. Government declared need to establish crèche facility within working area, if employees are more than 100 to encourage breast feeding and child care. This makes us to understand support from government.

One shouldn’t suppress breast milk, instead can be donated so that others can make use of it in form of feeding other babies & therapeutic purpose.  As breast milk is rich in proteins and immunoglobulin can be used as natural antiseptic for cuts, wounds, diaper rash as local application and for cosmetic purpose in making use of body lotions, soaps, creams as skin care.