How Babies Were Raised in Ancient Times: Gentle Traditions of Ayurvedic Baby Care

Long before baby manuals, parenting apps and scientific charts existed, human beings still raised children; lovingly, wrapped in the warmth of gentle love and care. In Ancient civilization infant care was more than a checklist, it was a sacred responsibility for humans. Babies were seen as delicate, intuitive beings who were given warmth, rhythm, closeness and protection. Care was nature-based and deeply connected with mother's closeness and the environment. 

In this day and age, infant care has lost its natural essence that once was an essential element of the process. One should not be alienated to modern science and the present day environment but should also acknowledge the gentle logic behind time-tested practices that focused on balance, bonding and nourishment in its purest form. 

Infant care in Ancient Civilization 

The care provided to infants is a reflection of cultural views about the human body, life, and nature. Different cultures have cared for infants in different ways based on available resources, belief systems, and environmental climate, but many ancient cultures shared a common belief that infants are fragile, sacred beings, and they are connected to their mother and the environment. The purpose of this care was to provide for the infant's physical, mental, and emotional needs for their growth and development. 

In Ancient India, care for an infant was grounded in the principles of Ayurveda and spiritual philosophy. A newborn was characterized as Vata-dominant, so they required warmth, oiling, and gentle daily wellness routines. Oil massage, herbal bathing, and ritualized feeding were included in the daily wellness routine of a newborn. In addition, these routines are meant to create and maintain the balance of body, mind, and the environment. 

In Ancient Egypt, cleanliness and protection were emphasized as being extremely important. To provide a clean environment for infants, they bathed infants in warm water, sometimes with the use of aromatic plants. In addition, to protect the skin from dry climate conditions, the skin of infants would be anointed with oils. The use of amulets and symbols near infants demonstrated the common belief in Ancient Egypt that the physical care of an infant and the spiritual protection of an infant went hand in hand.

In Greece, infant care was a mix of observation and the matriarchal scheme based on the doctors' and scientists' beliefs about how babies should be cared for. The doctors had many beliefs, such as that babies needed to be breastfed, kept in the open air as much as possible, and gently moved to places. The parents were responsible for managing their baby's environment and as new parents, they had to make adjustments to the baby's environment; for example, a baby should not suddenly be thrown into a different house, because this could negatively impact the baby both physically and emotionally.

In China, the traditional view of infant care was based on balancing Yin and Yang. Newborns were to be warm, free from wind, and ideally kept in a peaceful, quiet atmosphere, while providing gentle physical contact with their parents. To help maintain the baby's balance of Yin and Yang, it is recommended to give soothing massages, gentle touches, and maintain a rhythm or routine for feeding and sleeping.

Feeding practices 

Breastfeeding as part of feeding was a revered practice amongst numerous civilizations, including the Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese. Breastfeeding provided the baby with nourishment; as well as providing nurturing emotional support and promoting good immunity and emotional regulation.

• Wet Nursing was an acceptable practice that had been passed down from generation to generation and had grown to become a shared community practice. In general, there was a great deal of trust involved; most of the time, the woman nursing the child was closely related to the baby’s mother.

• If there were no human milk available, goat or cow milk would be used, however, this was done with caution. In general, goat or cow milk was given to infants after having been diluted (watered down) prior to feeding them. This made the milk less likely to upset the infant’s stomach.

• Very thin mixtures of herbs and grains were used only in rare cases for temporary nourishment. They never replaced the mother’s breast milk.

Feeding was done at the baby’s natural pace and when they were hungry; feeding was never done in a rushed manner.

Cleaning Methods

Hygiene for infants in ancient civilizations was not aggressive, it was gentle and had minimal use of harsh products. The following cleaning options were provided to babies:

• Warm Water

• Mild herbal teas

• Soft clothes; instead of scrubbing with hard items.
  

No harsh soaps were used, but baby cleansers/oils made from plant-based sources were used to help protect the baby’s own barrier. 

Another aspect of infant hygiene was the application of oils after washing the baby. Using oils to seal moisture into the infant’s body also provided warmth.

Traditional Infant Clothing

Traditional infant clothing placed comfort above style or design. When wrapping their babies, parents would select clothing made from cotton or wool that is soft, breathable, and loose enough to allow for movement. Swaddles were designed to simulate the feeling of being inside a womb while providing room for gentle movement. Parents of newborns often layered clothing so it could be adjusted appropriately for changes in ambient temperature, as newborns are unable to regulate body temperature effectively.

The Role of Midwives in supporting Infants

Midwives not only assisted with childbirth, they were also the guardians of maternal and infant wisdom.

The following are midwives' roles as infant caregivers:

• They assist mothers during the childbirth process

• They immediately clean and warm the newborn after delivery

• They ensure that the newborn is properly latching onto the breast and is fed early

• They assist the mother with rest, proper nutrition, and recovery from childbirth.

Midwives focused on both mothers and infants immediately after delivery. They provided holistic support for mothers and infants, addressing the mothers' physical, emotional, and practical needs. In many cultures, the midwife continued to support the mother and infant for several weeks after delivery, assisting with the transition to motherhood.

Traditional Indian Baby Rituals 

Indian tradition places a great deal of emphasis on caring for a child from birth through raising him/her. The "Samskara" (Sacred Ritual) refers to the traditional rituals associated with raising a child. 

1. Name-giving (Naamakaran)

The child received their name at the time of the Name-Giving ceremony. Parents and family members chose a name that had a special meaning. It was believed that names carry sound/vibration energy and this energy would assist in forming a person's mind. Additionally, this ceremony was an introduction to the family and community at large; thus creating a protective base for the family, parents, and community.

2. First Bath Ceremony (Snaaman)

The first bath of the child took place when they were either born or shortly thereafter. It was customary for a family to give their child their first bath in warm clean water with herbs added. The objective of this ceremony was to create a relaxing environment for the child and to support the parent with providing comfort rather than a more focused attention on cleansing.

3. First Food Ceremony (Anaprasaan)

The first food ceremony took place when a baby began eating solids, likely 6 months post partum. The first foods offered to the baby were very simple and easily digested, typically home prepared. The importance of this ceremony was to become more independent, the baby continues to have a need for nourishment and is cared for.

Ancient Methods of Soothing & Mother-Infant Bonding

Caregiver methods of years past, and what we now know today with scientific evidence confirm that babies will also adjust their behaviours through connection with others.

Some soothing techniques include:

• Skin-to-skin contact to assist with establishing the same breathing patterns as well as heartbeats

• Gentle rocking movements similar to those experienced in the womb

• Quietly sung lullabies that establish rhythm and emotional security

• Oil massage which helps calm the nervous system and support the development of muscles

These methods were common practice for ancient caregivers and continually reinforced their commitment to loving and nurturing their children.

The Evolution of Infant Safety Practices 

The approaches to child safety have evolved as society has advanced. A very simple method of practice existed in the early years of humankind but was effective in the particular setting in which it was developed.

Traditional Sleeping Methods 

1. Cloth Hammocks - Similar in function to a regular hammock, these were used to gently rock and keep infants warm.

2. Wooden Cradles - These are made with durable wood and purposefully designed to safely hold babies and let them move around.

3. Beds close to the mother- Co-sleeping and/or room sharing were common, allowing parents to quickly respond to their babies' needs. Even in ancient cultures, infants were usually not left completely alone.

Modern Infant Safety Methods

Baby care became more organized as cities grew and more babies were born; new types of furniture (cribs and safety railings) were created, along with our present day standards for safety and hygiene. Today's baby safety practices focus on preventing injuries and providing a safe, clean environment, and generally do not incorporate the cultural rituals or instinctual behaviour of earlier generations.

Modern systems represent an important change in how we care for babies; however, many parents still incorporate traditional practices into their systems of care.

Ayurvedic Principles of Infant Care (Kaumarbhritya)

Kaumarbhritya is the Ayurvedic system of caring for infants. In Ayurveda, infant care is treated as a separate area of study, with special care taken to recognize the vulnerability of infants due to their age and lack of exposure.

A. Daily Routines for Infants (Dinacharya)

Routine is essential for providing predictability and emotional balance for infants. This includes consistent feeding times and sleep schedule, consistent bathing and body care routine and structure provide a sense of security and balance.

B. Massage for Infants (Abhyanga)

In Ayurveda, providing an infant with an oil massage is essential because it supports the following important functions of an infant's body:

• Growth and development of strength

• Immune function

• Sleep

• Developing of their nervous system

C. Herbal Baths and Powder for Infants

Herbal qualities are postulated to:

• Protect their delicate skin,

• Prevent rash/infection and maintain body warmth and dryness.

D. Vata Reduction during Newborn Support

Newborn support focuses on the use of warmth and oil application to help reduce excess Vata from the baby's body. Avoid situations where there are loud noises, exposure to cold or rough handling.

E. Soothing Infant Crying and Colic

Crying is seen as the infant's means of communication rather than an act of disobedience. Techniques for caring for a crying infant include:

• Warmth

• Massage

• Repeated rhythmical movement

• Mild Herbal Support with advice
  

F. Individualized Infant Care Based on Doshas

In Ayurveda, it is important to consider each infant's unique constitution to achieve optimal health. All infants, whether they are Vata, Pitta, or Kapha dominant, require individualized attention:

• Vata infants require warmth and nourishment.

• Pitta infants will benefit from cooling and calming care.

• Kapha infants will thrive with gentle movement and stimulation. Adjustment to care will be gentle and gradual.

FAQs 

1. My baby cries quite a bit- Does crying indicate that there's something wrong?

Crying was viewed as a signal or means of communicating rather than an illness, according to ancient cultures. The baby cried to indicate hunger, discomfort, or a need for being close to the caregiver. Instead of trying to silence the baby, caregivers used gentle rocking, skin contact, warmth, and natural oil massage to calm the baby.

2. My baby has an irregular sleep schedule- should I force him/her into a specific schedule?

Ancient caregivers advocated for rhythms instead of rigidly enforced schedules. Caregivers would enable the baby to sleep spontaneously, while keeping feeding, bathing, soothing, etc., on a consistent schedule. Babies created comfort by having predictability without being pressured to sleep on demand.

3. Is it necessary to give my baby massages or is it just a cultural tradition?

In Ayurvedic culture, baby massage (Abhyanga) was an essential daily practice that helped facilitate digestion, sleep, immune system function and emotional attachment. Modern mothers are able to carry over these principles of gentle touches by using only mild stroke patterns and safe natural oils.

4. Do current hygiene practices provide better care for a child than ancient methods of cleansing?

Standard hygiene practiced in ancient times relied on gentleness rather than excessive cleaning. To clean babies' skin without damaging its natural barrier, caregivers bathed their babies with warm water, clean soft cloths and herbal infusions as a base. Present day caregivers are able to maintain an acceptable level of bacteria on a child's skin without using strong traditional soaps or giving a child extra baths.

5. My baby is sensitive and easily overstimulated. What can I do?

Historically, caregivers would make every effort to limit the amount of noise, handling, and sudden changes to an infant's environment so as to prevent overstimulation and undue stress to the baby’s developing nervous system. Caregivers provided a calm, low-light environment with gentle touches and predictable routines as a means of protecting an infant’s developing nervous system.

6. Do traditional practices conflict with scientific evidence?

No. Traditional practices were based on observation and experience. Many of the traditional practices (for example, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, co-sleeping, and infant massage) are now endorsed by research when safe and appropriately implemented.

7. What is the most valuable lesson from ancient cultures for modern-day parents?

That infant care does not require perfection but rather presence. Ancient wisdom teaches us that it is just as essential for the infant to have warmth, touch, and rhythm through the nurturing relationship of parent and infant as it is for the infant to have safe guidelines established through experts.

A Comparison of Ayurvedic & Modern Baby Care Practices 

A closing thought 

Compassion, insight, and community support are key elements for the care and nurturing of infants; the history shows us that the major components of caring for a baby have much to do with loving and connecting to the baby, as well as providing for it.

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Related Articles:

Baby Oil Massage and Its Importance: The Indian Perspective

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9638542/

https://theses.gla.ac.uk/77952/1/10999270.pdf

https://www.academicmed.org/Uploads/Volume6Issue4/49.%20[3517.%20JAMP_Jafar]%20242-245.pdf

https://ipi.org.in/texts/others/malvikakapur-childcare-sp.php

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15602999/

https://research.sinica.edu.tw/history_of_women_childbirth/

https://madeformothers.com/blogs/the-buzz/yin-and-yang-postpartum