STANAAPANAYANA`(`~WEANING PRACTICES) IN AYURVEDA WSR TO COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING

*Dr. Vishwaradhya Hiremath and Dr. Netravati K Hiremath

ABSTRACT

Good nutrition is essential from birth for healthy growth and development in children. In early infancy up to 6 months of age breast milk alone is sufficient. There after concentrated energy dense complimentary foods are essential in order to maintain an adequate velocity of growth for an infant. More than 2.4 million child deaths occur in India each year and two thirds of these deaths are related to inappropriate infant feeding practices. The concept of word ``weaning`` has now changed to complementary feeding as breast feeding needs to continue in babies for a period of 2 years.[1] In babies weaning time can be more dangerous. Since the babies accustomed to breast milk earlier, during the process of weaning there might be chances of non acceptance or difficult to accept the new type of food due to which they may face health ailments related to digestion and metabolism. They might also become malnourished and get infection, suffer from diarrheal disorders. Since from the ancient times the process of weaning and its proper knowledge has got more importance in infant and young child nutrition. In ancient Ayurveda, different Acharya’s mentioned weaning procedure. In Ashtanga Sangraha Acharya Vagbhata mentioned weaning process as Stanaapanayana[2] and weaning food recipes during the period.[3] The father of ancient Ayurveda pediatrics Acharya Kashyapa also mentioned about Phala prashana (administration of fruit juice) followed by Annaprashana Samskara at 6 months of age and 10 months respectively.[4] By considering all the above points an attempt is made to review and discuss the ancient and modern concepts of weaning process in Infant and children.

Keywords: Stanaapanayana, Complementary feeding, weaning practices, Annaprashana Samskara.