sleep and babies

Hello Group Members -

Our kind contributing member, Dr. Thite, has started an ayurveda group on google

groups called ayurvedaforhealth for their clients and the international

community. The applications there are general ayurvedic health, including both

easily used tips and some of the herbs and foods not available here, as you also

see here.

It also includes perinatal discussions of course. The Drs Thite (husband and

wife team) take care of many perinatal clients. This recent discussion about 1

year old may be of interest. Note the Thites seem to live in Kerala, where use

of coconut oil is more common and more appropriate due to the hot climate. It is

interesting sesame oil is recommended for am abhyanga (after kapha increasing

night) and coconut oil in evening after pitta increasing daytime.

Namaste,

Ysha

> Hello Dr.Thite,

> My baby is now 1 year old. He sleeps at night but not heavy sleep.He can not

sleep usually for long time for say 4 to 5 hrs.He wants to play all the time.

> Is there any medicine or diet for him so that he can take a heavy sleep, or

what care I should take in day to day life?

> Regards

> Iravati

Hello Iravati and other group members,

Usually, infants develop some regular nighttime sleeping habit up to

the age of 3 months. However, it is a known fact that some children

have different sleep patterns. Unless the child does not have any

other symptoms of sleep deprivation, this is not too alarming.

However, it is good to take care before the problem increases.

According ot ayurveda, sleep is very essential factor for health.

Normal sleep occurs due to normal state of Kapha dosha and Tamo guna

of mind. There are some foods that induce normal nighttime sleep.

The best example is milk. Buffalo milk is better than cow milk in

this regard and this should be taken in moderate quantity at night.

Herbs that may induce normal sleep are vidarikanda, ashvagandha,

sarpagandha, khaskhas, Jaiphal, etc. These can be used according to

body type and other symptoms (e.g. jaiphal is good if the baby has

increased vitiated kapha, etc. )

Application of warm sesame oil to body can be done in the moring

before bath. At night, application of normal temperature coconut oil

can be applied on the scalp and soles of the feet. This will help the

child to sleep naturally.

Dr. Thite

www.ayurvedicrx.com

for your personal queries, email Dr. Thite at - drth...

Hello,

<< he had cough,cold & fever,so I stopped applying oil on scalp.It becomes cool

for him.>>

This is correct, abhyanga (oil application) is not advised for condition such as

above.

Dr Thite

Thank you Ms. Ysha for introducing our group ayurvedaforhealth.

All ayurveda lovers are welcome to join this group. Please email me at

cmthite for invitation.

[ Little correction to our introduction We both practice in a city

called Pune (pronounced Pooney). This is located in mid-west part of india

near Mumbai (formerly Bombay).]

Dr. Chandrashekhar Thite