Divine Mother's Nectar

Breastfeeding is a magical time for both mama and baby. It is an intimate experience during which a powerful bond occurs. Breastmilk, traditionally known as Divine nectar provides all the nutrients a newborn needs to be optimally nourished, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. According to ancient wisdom, breasts are a symbol of nourishment and nursing is considered a service based in unconditional love.

For any new mother, breastfeeding can pose challenges and complications. Mother must be supported throughout the sacred window after giving birth to ensure her wellbeing and that of her newborn.

The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda recommends specific foods and herbs for new mothers that will support her physically and energetically. Ayurveda explains that Rasa, the first bodily tissue to be formed after the food that we eat, is intimately connected to Stanya (breast milk).

Rasa dhatu is considered a water element, and its qualities are moist, sweet, stable, soft, and flowing. When a new mother takes in foods that have similar attributes to rasa, she will encourage nourishment of this bodily tissue and therefore the most nutritionally-dense and highest quantity of breastmilk for her newborn.

After childbirth, we recommend that new mothers eat only liquid and soft foods that will hydrate and plump rasa dhatu. This is suggested for the first three days, slowly adding in more solid foods. This will allow for the proper nourishment of the tissue and healthy production of milk.

By contrast, if a new mother were to eat a salad, cold food, toast, coffee, or black tea she could induce dryness and deplete rasa dhatu, leading to challenges producing the right amount of quality breastmilk.

Some of my favorite herbs and spices that support the nursing phase are fennel, fenugreek, musta, shatavari, chamomile, vidari kanda, blessed thistle, and caraway. Many of which are also digestives that will help enhance the strength of digestive fire, known as agni. Other herbs including shatavari can be heavy for the system to process and are better to have in combination with digestive spices like fennel and fenugreek. Echinacea is another wonderful herb to help with inflammation or mastitis.

Foods including barley, oats, millet, wheat, buckwheat, stewed fruits, creamy vegetable soups, and purees are perfect for a breastfeeding mama. Ghee is can be eaten while nursing and also used topically on the nipples if they are broken or sore.

For more recipes and information on postpartum nourishment and rituals, check out "Healing Recipes for Newborn Mothers”, available as an e-book or printed version.

May all children be blessed with the Divine Mother's Nectar and may all mamas be supported to offer it from a space of abundance and love.

Photo by: Natural Parent Magazine