Every year, August 1st to 7th is observed as World Breastfeeding Week. You might see campaigns popping up online, some educational posts, maybe a few corporate pledges. But for a new mother holding her newborn, struggling to latch, wincing in pain or wondering if her baby is getting enough, none of that noise matters much.
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” is more than a message; it’s a much-needed shift in perspective. Because let’s face it: we’ve told women for decades that “breast is best,” but haven’t always stood beside them when they needed us most.
Breastfeeding isn’t just about nutrition. It’s a deeply human act that requires rest, support, mental peace, and a body that feels safe. And here’s where Ayurveda offers something both wise and deeply practical; not with idealism, but with grounded, time-tested care that puts the mother’s well-being first.
Breastfeeding in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, Stanya (breast milk) is considered an Upadhatu (a vital byproduct) of Rasa dhatu, the body’s first tissue formed from digested food. Simply put: what the mother eats, how she digests it, and even what she feels determine the quality and quantity of the breastmilk. The usual quantity of breastmilk is described as two Anjalis (approximately 360 ml). However, it varies from individual to individual based on nutrition, emotional status, and hormonal changes. Stanya is described as Jivanam (promotes life), Bruhanam (nourishes), Satmya (wholesome), and Snehanam (unctuous).
Ayurveda goes into great detail, describing the quality, taste, colour, and even emotional impact of breast milk. The quality of milk is influenced by the Tridoshas. Ideally, it should be whitish, like a conch shell, with a naturally sweet scent and a smooth consistency that disperses easily in water. If the milk is yellowish with an oily or ghee-like smell, it’s considered influenced by Kapha. A reddish or foul-smelling milk may indicate a Pitta imbalance, while greyish milk that floats or has no clear smell might be Vata-dominant. Even the aftertaste tells a story: sweet or slightly salty hints are fine, but bitter, sour, or astringent tones may signal something’s off.
Any Stanya dushti or imbalance can show up in the baby as colic, sluggish digestion, disturbed sleep, or skin issues, depending on the Dosha involvement. So, if a baby is fussy or has digestive troubles, it’s not always a medical emergency. Sometimes, it’s the milk, and Ayurveda teaches us how to tune into that with care and observation, rather than fear.
There’s something quiet and powerful about a mother feeding her baby. It’s not glamorous. Often, it’s lonely, tiring, and messy. But it’s also grounding, healing, and deeply intuitive. Breastfeeding isn’t simply about transferring nutrients. It’s about warmth, safety, comfort—the first emotional connection outside the womb. But here’s the thing: for breastfeeding to truly thrive, the mother has to be cared for too. And this is where we often fall short.
The Real Barriers: Exhaustion, Expectations, and Isolation
Let’s be honest: many mothers want to breastfeed, but life doesn’t make it easy.
Painful latching, low milk supply, returning to work too soon, sleepless nights, and the overwhelming pressure to “do it all right” can make the whole experience feel more like a test than a natural rhythm. And when things get tough? Society is quick to judge. “You should have tried harder.” “You must be doing something wrong.” “Maybe your milk isn’t good enough.”
That’s not support. That’s shame dressed as advice.
Ayurveda doesn’t blame the mother. It supports her. It emphasises rest, nourishing food, emotional peace, and a calm environment. These are not luxuries but basic requirements for milk production and a mother’s recovery. When those aren’t in place, even the most motivated mothers can struggle. And when they do, it’s not their failure; it’s ours, as a society.
How Ayurveda Can Help Today’s Mothers
In Ayurveda, the Sutika Kala refers to the postpartum period, traditionally considered to last for 45 days, or until the mother’s body regains its pre-pregnancy strength. Some texts even extend it up to 6 months, depending on the woman’s recovery. This phase isn’t just about physical rest; Ayurveda sees it as a sacred reset for the mother’s entire physiology, especially for balancing Vata dosha, which becomes aggravated during childbirth. During this time, a structured regimen called Sutika Paricharya is followed, which includes warm oil Abhyanga, herbal baths, easy-to-digest foods like yavagu (gruel), mamsarasa (meat soup), mild herbal formulations, emotional care, and adequate rest. These practices aim to stabilise digestion (agni), restore tissue strength (dhatu), and support mental calm.
This personalised care directly impacts breastfeeding, which is considered a natural extension of the mother’s Rasa dhatu that forms the basis of breastmilk (stanya). A well-supported mother, both physically and emotionally, is more likely to produce healthy milk in adequate quantity. If Sutika Paricharya is neglected, if the mother skips meals, doesn’t rest, or feels emotionally unsupported, it can lead to poor rasa formation, resulting in low milk supply, disturbed milk quality, or breastfeeding difficulties. Ayurveda offers practical, gentle insights that still hold relevance today:
- Nourishing foods like ghee, cooked lentils (mung dal), rice gruel (peya), and cumin support lactation. Discuss with your Ayurveda doctor which herbs best suit you.
- Abhyanga (oil therapy) with warm sesame or coconut oil helps reduce Vata and supports postpartum healing.
- Light movement and deep rest, alternating through the day, keep the body strong without strain.
- Guidance regarding latching difficulties, proper position during feeding are also given
- Warm baths, soft music, and time with loved ones matter too.
What’s refreshing about Ayurveda is that it doesn’t romanticise motherhood. It respects the body’s exhaustion and emotional needs. It gives space for the mother to slow down, recalibrate, and nurture herself as much as her baby.
Sustainable Support Systems: What They Look Like
“Support” isn’t a checklist. It’s not just about offering advice or buying the right nursing pillow. It’s about showing up.
- It’s a partner learning how to burp the baby at night so the mother can sleep an extra hour.
- It’s a workplace that offers clean, safe lactation rooms and flexible scheduling.
- It’s a healthcare system that includes trained lactation counselors,Breastfeeding becomes sustainable only when the mother doesn’t feel like she has to do it all alone. not just pamphlets.
- It’s friends who show up with food and not opinions.
- It’s families who ask, “How are you feeling?” not “Is your baby sleeping through the night yet?”
Breastfeeding becomes sustainable only when the mother doesn’t feel like she has to do it all alone.
Let’s Normalise What’s Natural
Globally, only around 44% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. In India, it’s a bit better, but still not enough. The reasons vary: urban lifestyles, misinformation, social stigma, or simply the lack of time and help. That’s why this year’s World Breastfeeding Week matters.
We’re not just encouraging mothers. We’re calling out the systems that make it harder for them. Ayurveda reminds us that nurturing life is a collective act. It’s not just the mother’s duty. It’s the community’s responsibility.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Rethink Care
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