Daily Breast Massage
Massaging your breasts and body with oil before bathing is one of Ayurveda's top recommendations for boosting immunity and health. One of the most nourishing and safe oils is Kshirabala Oil, you may also use plain sunflower, coconut, olive, almond or sesame oil. We recommend consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner to know which of our many oils is best for you. Make it a habit to massage your breasts every day, especially if you are pregnant.
How To Properly Massage Your Breasts
- Use your left hand to massage your right breast and vice versa
- Apply moderate pressure in circular strokes, radiating out from the nipple and working into the underarm as well as to the center of your chest
- Gently knead your breasts
- Squeeze the nipple gently and pull up and around
- Use the flat underside of your fingers to gently scoop and lift the tissues beginning from the underarm area and moving in a clockwise direction
A Diet For Healthy Breast Milk
The mother having a healthy diet is essential to the quality of her breast milk. The digestive system for mom and baby is very delicate after delivery, so it only takes a small amount unhealthy food or poor food combinations to create health issues.
Eating For More and Healthier Breast Milk
- Eat warm, soupy, grounding, easy-digestible, nourishing food such as kitchari and stew. Use digestive spices such as cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, dill and cilantro
- Eat lots of vegetables such as carrots, beets, pumpkins, squashes, okra, asparagus and yams
- Eat mung beans and red lentils that have been soaked overnight and cooked well with turmeric for a protein that is easy to digest
- For dessert, eat soaked figs, dates, rice pudding and herbal teas with whole milk or nut milk
What Not To Eat While Breastfeeding
- Avoid all dry and cold food as well as stimulating substances such as coffee, black tea, chocolate and alcohol
- Avoid raw vegetables because the breast milk becomes heavy and difficult to digest. The baby will very likely suffer from cramps and colic
- Avoid difficult to digest foods such as leftovers, cold and hard cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cold milk, ice water, wheat, fried food, chips and refined sugar
Eating the types of foods listed above is why many newborn babies are suffering from colic. In general, Ayurveda says that it’s not better to feed baby formula. Breast milk is always superior - what the mom eats, the baby ultimately eats.
Disclaimer
All views and information shared here is only for the sharing of Ayurvedic knowledge. Please do not try or prescribe or take any of the remedies and suggestions here without talking to your regular, qualified doctor. Kottakkal Ayurveda and no other person associated with Kottakkal is responsible for unwanted side-effects or contraindications in your health.
