Colic In Babies: The Ayurvedic Perspective
When it comes to postpartum recovery, there's no shortage of misconceptions—and today, I want to shed light on a big one: colic in babies.
In Western medicine, it's often said that colic "just happens" and there's little we can do about it. But according to Ayurveda, the root cause of colic lies in the diet and digestion of the nursing mother.
Below are some Ayurvedic insights into how you can support your little one's digestive health (and your own!) during the postpartum period.
What Ayurveda Says About Colic:
Ayurveda teaches us that a baby's digestive system is directly impacted by the food and lifestyle of the nursing mother.
If mama's digestion is imbalanced—perhaps due to cold, heavy, or processed foods—this can lead to gas, bloating, or discomfort in the baby, which we often recognize as colic.
Here are three key principles from Ayurvedic postpartum care to help ease colic and restore harmony for both you and your baby:
Warm, easy-to-digest meals
Prioritize cooked, spiced, and nourishing foods like soups, stews, and kitchari. These are gentle on your digestion and help create breast milk that's less likely to cause digestive discomfort in your baby.
Spices are your allies
Spices like fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, cumin, and ginger not only help balance your digestion but also reduce gas and bloating for your baby when passed through breast milk.
Avoid "cold and raw"
Cold drinks, salads, or uncooked foods can weaken your digestion postpartum, leading to imbalances that may contribute to colic in your baby.
Sip on Teas
Herbal teas such as fennel, chamomile, and ginger can be beneficial. Fennel tea, in particular, is known for its digestive properties and can help reduce gas in both the mother and baby. You can brew fennel seeds in hot water, strain, and sip throughout the day to help ease discomfort.
Baby Abhyanga (Massage)
Gently massaging your baby with warm oil can be a soothing ritual. Use a light, warm sesame oil and perform light, gentle strokes in a clockwise direction on their tummy. This can help promote digestion and relieve gas.
Burp After Every Feeding
Ensure you burp your baby after every feeding to help release any trapped air in their tummy. This simple practice can significantly reduce colic discomfort and help your baby feel more at ease.
Warm Compress
Applying a warm compress to your baby's tummy can provide soothing relief. Use a warm cloth (not hot) and place it gently on their belly to help relax any tightness and ease discomfort.
Create a Calm Environment
A peaceful, quiet space during feeding times can help your baby feel more relaxed and aid digestion. Soft lighting and gentle music can create a serene atmosphere that supports both you and your little one.🕊️
About Ash Novickas
Ash Novickas is a Los Angeles based birth and postpartum doula, lactation specialist, newborn care specialist and educator. Through her practice, Earthside Holistic L.A.,She offers Ayurvedic and holistic maternal recovery and newborn care postpartum, and supports families across Los Angeles with comprehensive birth preparation, evidence-based education and trauma-informed birth support. Ash’s work extends beyond physical support to include emotional and identity transition into motherhood. She guides families through Matrescence- the profound psychological and relational transformation of becoming a mother- helping clients feel grounded, supported and deeply met through every stage of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.