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== Concept of dhatri or wet nurse ==
== Concept of dhatri or wet nurse ==
Breast feeding is started as soon as lactation starts or at least within the 3 to 4 days of post-natal period. [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/14] Dhatri or wet nurse feeds the infant in case of the inability of breast feeding by the mother. The dhatri should be in the state of optimum health and conduct in order to provide best nutrition to the baby. This can be understood as the application of concept of formula feed or breast milk storage or obtaining the same from the milk banks to ensure the nutrition of child. According to Sushruta, the dhatri must be of sama varna (of same ethnicity), madhyama pramana (medium built), madhya vaya (middle aged), aroga (disease free), sheelavati (with good character), achapala (not impatient), alolupa (satisfied), akrisha (not too thin), asthula (not too fat), avyanga (not having any disability), avyasani (devoid of any addictions), prasanna ksheera (breast milk is not vitiated), vatsala (caring and loving), jeevatvatsa (whose infant is alive). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25, Cha. Sa. Shareera Sthana 8/52] Ashtang Hridaya advises two dhatri or nursing mothers. [A. H. Uttar Tantra 1/15-16] Sushruta mentions to commence the breast feeding from right breast first after proper mantroccharana (chanting of mantra). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25-27]
<p style="text-align:justify;">Breast feeding is started as soon as lactation starts or at least within the 3 to 4 days of post-natal period. [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/14] Dhatri or wet nurse feeds the infant in case of the inability of breast feeding by the mother. The dhatri should be in the state of optimum health and conduct in order to provide best nutrition to the baby. This can be understood as the application of concept of formula feed or breast milk storage or obtaining the same from the milk banks to ensure the nutrition of child. According to Sushruta, the dhatri must be of sama varna (of same ethnicity), madhyama pramana (medium built), madhya vaya (middle aged), aroga (disease free), sheelavati (with good character), achapala (not impatient), alolupa (satisfied), akrisha (not too thin), asthula (not too fat), avyanga (not having any disability), avyasani (devoid of any addictions), prasanna ksheera (breast milk is not vitiated), vatsala (caring and loving), jeevatvatsa (whose infant is alive). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25, Cha. Sa. Shareera Sthana 8/52] Ashtang Hridaya advises two dhatri or nursing mothers. [A. H. Uttar Tantra 1/15-16] Sushruta mentions to commence the breast feeding from right breast first after proper mantroccharana (chanting of mantra). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25-27] <br/>Weaning is explained to be done between 6 months to 1 year of age mostly after the appearance of teeth in the infant. Annaprashana vidhi (introduction to food) is indicated at this stage for the introduction of complementary feeds. [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/35] Various dietary options in the form of modaka, lehana (lickables) are mentioned for the purpose of annaprashana. Here the sequential increase in food quantity (kramatyaga vidhi) and weaning should be followed. Ayurveda modalities can be followed to promote the process of complementary feeds and supplementary nutrition during the weaning period.</p>
== Research on use of stanya as a therapeutic agent in disorders of adult population ==
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ayurveda has also explored the pharmacological activity?? of stanya in systemic conditions related to the adult population. Stanya has activities lik jeevana (vitalizer), brihana (nourishing), satmya (wholesome), snehana (unctuous) and leads to alleviation of vata- pitta dosha. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/224, A.H. Sutra Sthana 5/26] There is description regarding the use of stanya for the purpose of nasya (nasal instillation), tarpana, seka or aschyotana (eye drop instillation) in the diseases of eye. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/223] It is indicated in the management of raktapitta vyadhi, [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/222] hikka [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 17/131] for the purpose of nasal instillation and oral consumption; pittaja abhishyanda for purpose of anjana [Su. Sa. Uttar Tantra 10/9], in conditions like abhighata (injury to the organs). (A.H. Sutra Sthana 5/26) </p>
== Recent advances on the research data available on concept of stanya ==
<p style="text-align:justify;">Researches on experimental studies exploring the galactagogic activities of various ayurveda herbs are observed. Few clinical trials measuring the galactogogue activity were also obtained. Findings of some of these articles can be summarized as below –</p>
=== Studies focusing on the physiological and pathological aspects considering the stanya ===
<ol style="text-align:justify;"><li>In the article , “Noxious Alterations in Human Milk: An Ayurveda Perspective<ref name="ref17"></ref>” is related with the understanding of causes of vitiation of human milk, its effect on composition of human and to critically analyse the effect of consumption of vitiated milk on the infant.</li>
<li>Breast milk as an etiological factor in infantile disorders – An observational study<ref name="ref18"></ref> The breastmilk from 100 mothers with infants in age group of 1-6 months was collected and subjected to organoleptic and laboratory tests to identify the type of stanya sushti.</li>
<li>In the article, ‘Understanding the Concept of Stanya and its Need in Context to Breastfeeding’<ref name="ref19"></ref>, the authors have underlined the importance of breast feeding in context to concept of Stanya in Ayurveda.</li>
<li>The article, The Concept Of Stanya Apanayana (Weaning)<ref name="ref20"></ref> focuses on the concept of Stanya apanayana i.e. weaning according to the classical texts in detail. </li>
<li>The observational study entitled, Biochemical Analysis Of Stanya & Its Correlation With Rasa-Sarata<ref name="ref21"></ref>, the lipid profile along with the Rasa Saarata of lactating mothers was assessed in the present study showing strong positive correlation between the Stanya and Rasa Saarata.</li>
<li>The article An ayurvedic perspective of hypoprolactenemia: Stanyakshaya<ref name="ref22"></ref> explores the concept of Stanya Kshaya in Ayurveda in perspective of hypoprolactenemia. </li>
<li>The study, Stanyajanan drugs in Bhavprakasha Nighantu - a review Article<ref name="ref23"></ref> the understanding of stanya physiology in light of contemporary medical science is explained in detail in the article.</li>
<li>The author has compared the condition of ksheeralasaka with cow milk allergy and implications it can pose upon the health and wellbeing of child in the article entitled, Ksheeralasaka Vis-À-Vis Cow’s Milk Allergy: A Critical Review<ref name="ref24"></ref></li>
<li>The article, A scientific understanding of mammary gland and physiology of lactation in Ayurveda<ref name="ref25"></ref> the physiology of lactation is widely explained. </li>
<li>In the article , Explication on tissue nutrition in prenatal and postnatal life: An Ayurveda perspective<ref name="ref26"></ref> the authors have beautifully elaborated the nutrition related metabolism mentioned during the intrauterine and postnatal life of infant. </li>
<li>In the article, Concept of Dhatri (wet nurse) in perspective of Ayurveda w.r.t. Babylonian Code of Hammurabi<ref name="ref27"></ref> the historical aspects regarding the tradition of wet nurse and ethical considerations are discussed. The study states that the concepts of wet nurse is as old as the proofs Babylon code.</li>
<li>In the article, Breastfeeding assessment protocol: An integrated approach<ref name="ref28"></ref> the authors have extensively described the breast feeding protocol and assessment to ensure the health of newborn and lactating mothers. This can also be used as reference for further studies.</li>
<li>In the study, An Ayurvedic Review on Phakka Roga w.s.r. To Rickets in children<ref name="ref29"></ref> the detail analysis of Phakka Roga as a consequence of Stanya Dushti leading to nutritional deficiency like rickets is done in the present article.</li></ol>