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The Child of the present is the citizen of the future, who will manage family, society and country in the times to come. Naturally, a person being Healthy at Physical and Mental level shall be able to lead family, social and country in the right direction or towards regression of all. Keeping in view these facts, extensive caution and care regarding infant and child, special dietetics, prevention from diseases.

Health of Infant and Child is based on Health of Mother too much because During pregnancy as well as after birth and till breast feeding lasts child is dependent on mother. Deficiency or Negation of Nutritious Food, Fruits, Vegetables etc. to mother during above said period, shall definitely affect Growth and Development of Child. Mental growth which helps in strengthening power of intellect is very rapid from intrauterine life (pregnancy) till the age of 2 yr after birth. In case proper nutrition is not available to foetus and later during infancy, the mental growth shall be slower proportionately to the nutrition. The child may look healthy physically if gets proper diet in later life but memory, knowledge and importance to capacity shall remain lower than expected. Ayurveda has provided so much importance to child that even the care related to female and its disorders are described under “Kaumarbhritya” (care of children), which is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda.

1. Childhood Period: Although childhood period extends since birth up to 15 years but for the purpose of care during initial 5-7 years is of utmost importance. So, the booklet contains care of children mainly of above mentioned age group.
2. Care Of Newborn: As soon as newborn is delivered, the following care should be provided.
3. Cleaning Of Throat And Oral Cavity: Soak a piece of soft and clean cloth with paste of rock salt mixed with pure ghee and clean throat and cavity properly immediately after birth.
4. Cutting Of Cord: Properly sterilized thick thread by boiling or kept in dettol or spirit should be tied strongly over the cord at two places i.e. about 4 fingers away from the umbilicus of child and 2 fingers away from the first tie towards mother’s side. Cut between the two ties with sharp blade, knife or scissors already sterilized in boiling water, hot oil or spirit/dettol. After cutting the cord, look at the cut edge on baby side, in case blood is oozing put another tie a little back of the first tie. Sprinkle fine powder of Madhuyashti or kutha over cut portion, if not available then apply Neem oil or pre-boiled and cool mustard oil and Haridra powder. Triple dye can be applied if available. Jatyaditail a can also be applied.
5. Examination Of Body Parts Of Newborn: Examine carefully all the body parts minutely and look lest there is some congenital anomaly. Lip, palate, anus, urogenital orifices etc. are to be cautiously checked. Sometimes after the head is out shoulders are obstructed at that moment baby is pulled out by holding arms, similarly when baby is delivered by legs under such circumstances there is possibility of fracture of any bone. So, newborn should be examined thoroughly.
6. Cleaning Of Newborn: The neonae, who starts crying as soon as throat and oral cavity is being cleaned, has active limb movement, color of skin is pink, such new born should be smeared with Bala or Til oil or any other traditional oil in vogue to remove slowly and gently vemix (the white sticky material pasted over the body) from the body.
7. Bath For Newborn: Now, the baby be given bath with lukewarm pre-boiled water by adding Neem or Nirgundi leaves and wrapped in a soft cloth or blanket as per need of the weather. Be cautions that the newborn with low birth weight (less than
8. 2.5 kg) or delivered at 7th or 8th month of gestation, is not given bath specially in winter season or cold weather because such babies have unstable body temperature which has important role in stability of life.
9. Treatment For Ingestion Of Liquor Amni: When it appears that newborn has ingested the liquor amni (the water present in the sac around the baby during intrauterine life) then gives orally paste of ghee mixed with rock salt, it induces vomiting and the liquor amni comes out of stomach.
10. Jatakarma Samskara: Draw two lines of one inch length over well washed stone of 3 inch diameter, now pour little water over the stone and drain the water in spoon. Add 4 drops of ghee and 8 drops of honey, mix well and feed to newborn. It is known as Jatakarma Samsara.
11. Procedure To Initiate Crying In Newborn: After birth, if newborn is not crying, getting blue or white and extremities are flaccid, then clean the mouth rapidly and sprinkle over body hot and cold water alternately and make gentle strokes over soles, and chest be pressed with light pressure repeatedly. In case baby still does not cry then put thin and clean cloth over the mouth and give mouth to mouth respiration. It should be continued till child starts crying, skin turns pink and limb movement starts. In case all these efforts fail, physician/child specialist should be consulted.
12. Clothes for Newborn: Neonates with delayed cry, pre-term and emaciated need special care to maintain their body temperature because in such babies there is a danger of hypothermia. Temperature below 30’ C is dangerous and fatal. Such babies should be kept in warm room wrapped in blanket, but be cautious to keep the room warm, material used to keep room warm should not emit smoke. Temperature can also be maintained by wrapping the baby with clothes and placing hot water bottles around the child.
13. Puerperal Room: Newborn must be kept along with mother in the room devoid of straight entry of wind, having entry of sunlight, already fumed with mixture of Guggulu, Ajowain, White mustard, Vacha, etc. Door and windows and around the bed leaves of Neem or branches of Nirgundi be hanged. Keep near the head side of bed, a pot filled with boiled water treated with Ela or Ajowana. Beds of both mother and baby should be clean, soft and comfortable; swab soaked with Bala Taila or Til oil should be put on anterior fontanel. Beware; don’t put oil in ears and no Kajal in eyes.
14. Feeding Of Newborn: When neonatal is normal after birth, breast feeding should be initiated, but if breast milk is not yet available then 4-5 teaspoonful properly boiled lukewarm cows milk may be fed with bowl and spoon. Sometimes milk appears on 2nd or 3rd day so till then cow’s or goat’s milk be given to new born. Sometimes those mothers, who continue breast feeding to the elder child, milk appear even on first day such mothers should feed the newborn even from the first day. More details shall be provided under the heading of infant diet/nutrition.
15. Precautions During 1st Week After Birth: This period is very important for neonate. Undesirable method of cutting of cord may cause tetnus. Keeping in view such happenings “Shashti” ceremony is in vogue. During this period following points should be taken care and physician be consulted.

• Bleeding from any part of the body especially from Nose, Anus, Umbilical Cord and Oral Cavity.
• Yellow Colouration of skin within 24 hrs. Light Yellow Colour Of Eyes, skin etc. usually appears between 3rd-5th day in majority of neonates, which disappears automatically within 7-10 days. In case color is deep yellow neonate should be given early morning sunbathe removing all the clothes but keeping eyes and genitalia covered with cloth. If no relief, consult physician.
• No Urine or Stool or both within 24 hrs of birth.
• Severe Diarrhea or Vomiting.
• Refusal To Feeds or Lasser acceptance of Milk.
• Excessive Lethargy, Crying, Convulsions.
• Froth from Mouth.
• Difficulty in Breathing, Cyanosis (bluish color) or appearance of Cyanosis on excessive crying.
• Sudden Increase or Lowering Temperature.
• Umbilical Abscess, delay in drying up, does not fall even after 10 days.
• Sudden Distention of Abdomen.
• Doubt of Fracture of Bone or Dislocation of Joint.
• Sudden appearance of any Health Problem.
• Birth Weight below 2kg or above 3 ½ kg because under these conditions require special measure in regulation of Body Temperature and Feeding of Neonate.

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