congested baby post from postpartumdoulas

[Guest guest]

Forgive the double post for those of you members there too, but lots

of ayurvedic bits I wanted to not have to answer later A mom or

doula asked about what might be possible for 2 week old newborn who

is congested, and was that normal. A response came that is it very

common, although this is not my experience. So I thought you all

would like to see my response here.

 

Hi All!

I would like to second many of Dianne's wisewoman simple first and

usually does it suggestions and offer a few refinements from my 13

years practice as a postpartum AyurDoula and trainer.

 

The way most people use milk, Dianne's advice is right on (avoid

it). As or more important is to avoid yoghurt and fermented cheeses,

cold foods and drinks, and a few other keys you are welcome to see

(in our files here). The milk can actually be prepared as a

medicated milk to reduce respiratory congestion in several ways as

referenced in Dr./Usha Lad's Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing, and

simultaneiously serves mom's rejuvenation, yes lactation, and

minimizing or avoidng depression. Great news for milk lovers!

 

It should be served warm only, not with lunch or dinner or fruit,

having been boiled (not just heated, but crawling up the pan makes

for simplified/smaller protein molecule unlike pasteurization yup,

easy messes), unhomoginized, without all the chemicals/hormones (ie

organic), with turmeric maybe 1/2 tsp/cup in this case, and pinches

cardamom, ginger (or boil some in water then add the milk of the

latter), or other chai type spices which all are cheap enzyme

enhancing supports. I usually make a brew for my clients every day

with these spices, for several cups daily (sweeten as desired but

don't cook the honey (creates slow accumulation of toxic coating

around the nerves) or use white sugar unless it is day one and you

haven't been to the store yet . Turmeric has antihistamine

influence.

 

Fenugreek is great too - I often add it to the milk recipe. Ayurveda

recs to use 1 - 2 strong cups of fenugreek tea daily in immediate

postpartum to be sure any retained placenta is released, in addition

to offering gentle respiratory,digestive and lacation support! Dr.

Jay Apte, BAMS/MD ayurvedic female doc based in San Francisco

recently had a client of mine take it the week before delivery due to

excess heat in upper half of her body - it worked great.

 

For the first 6 - 8 weeks we make/recommend 2 quarts of weak fennel

(2 parts) and fenugreek (1 part) (1 tsp total in the pot) tea for

moms to drink on like water - still hydrates whereas stronger teas

don't count that way, and the warm liquid makes for better digestion,

comfort, recovery etc.

 

All the spices to one degree or another as well as honey and boling

the milk reduce the phlegm producing aspect, as do also the warmth

and proper food combining. Isn't it great! I love this info, it

serves me too, otherwise I can't handle milk. Very good to add if

you have access is also " pippali " or long pepper (ground) called

something like ghandora in the indian stores; less aggravating than

pepper, very lung and digestive specific, gently warming.

 

Maybe even better to loosen up nasal passages is clarified butter,

drip a little bit warm and massage in. This was shared with me by an

Indian grandmother last week. Very soothing to frequently wiped as

well as congested tissues and helps break stuff up.

 

For opening the passages, I choose lavender oil (especially good

early on for wet drippies) and it is more soothing. THe mint and

eucalyptus will work but are cooling and so penetrating, when I've a

choice I choose gentler. There is a melaleuca ericafolia or Rosalina

sold by Young Living Essential oils (ref below) which is my preferred

again for gentle stronger than lavender antimicrobial. This co is

organic and they can be (dilute with few drops veg oil) put on baby's

feet (one of them) and chest (the other oil) for great antimicrobial,

immune response, calming and oxygenation boost. If not organic,

because eoils concentrate environmental toxins and pesticides more

than veggies and fruits etc, maybe just diffuse or put a drop on a

cotton ball nearby.

 

With these approaches, we rarely have congested babies or mamas.

Ayurvedic medicine for postpartum is very proactively concerned with

keeping mom clear even in her is it called, " lying in " time? She

does need the rest, but much specific care to prevent problems, this

is true for so many moms.

 

OH! Some of you doulas are in my age bracket (55) or getting

close ... this Indian woman also shared that women over 40

should " all " (my qualifiers) take 1/2 tsp of pippali in hot water am

and pm, best also with turmeric. (It is also aphrodesiac a bit) Not

during pregnancy, but I " ve begun and love it, it seems to be

reawakening some things at cellular level. But this is off topic

 

Many Blessings;

Martha Oakes

Postpartum AyurDoula, Training & Aromatherapy

Gainesville, FLorida

www.sacredwindow.com (forgive the reconstruction)

www.perinatalayurveda

www.youngliving.com/sacredwindow