Ancient Wisdom For New Mothers

You waited 9 long months to meet your little one, and those months weren’t the easiest. In all honesty, pregnancy is as nerve-racking as it is exciting. But you overcame the challenges, found your way around morning sickness and took the best possible care of your soon-to-come little one.

When you first held your baby, all those struggles paled into insignificance. That incredibly magical moment brought incomparable happiness. And thus officially began your life’s much-awaited new chapter – motherhood.

Now we all know that being a mother is far from being easy. But for new mothers who have recently welcomed this phase, the transition can be particularly confusing. Juggling parenting, self-care and professional commitments poses its own set of predicaments.

Ayurveda, the trusted repository of ancient Indian wisdom, sheds light on a mother’s post-partum well-being. After giving birth, a mother’s body is understandably exhausted. Ayurveda recommends a rest of 6 weeks or 42 days for the tissues (dhatus) to recover from childbirth. During this phase, the Vata dosha (dominated by Air and Space) is heightened, given the void left after childbirth. Another reason for an increased Vata is owing to the role it plays in moving the baby out.

An imbalanced Vata results in the occurrence of anxiety, constipation, insecurity and sleep problems. To restore your doshic balance, a few things need to be kept in mind. Firstly, the food we eat directly interacts with our doshas. To curtail the presence of Vata, a Sattvic diet rich in dairy, whole grain and vegetables is recommended. Warm food being high in natural fats like oil and ghee, ensures optimum nutrition to both the baby and the mother.

Needless to say, newborns tend to wake up at odd hours, making it difficult for parents to enjoy a restful sleep. Despite the erratic sleep pattern, maintaining a circadian rhythm is possible by adopting designated rituals to mark the beginning and end of the day. For example, a simple morning ritual could be lighting incense sticks or enjoying a cup of tea by yourself.

A widely known self-care practice for new mothers is abhyanga or warm oil massage. A daily massage with cold pressed organic Black Sesame oil, followed by a hot bath will help you rejuvenate both emotionally and physically. Abhyanga also addresses Vata imbalance and facilitates the release of toxins from the body.

Performing so many roles at once is overwhelming at first. The idea is to take each day as it comes and explore motherhood one step at a time.