Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Lactation is a critical period during which the infant is entirely dependent on maternal breast milk for nutrition, immunity, and developmental cues. Ayurveda posits that maternal digestive health (Agni) during this period profoundly influences breast milk quality (Stanya), and disturbances such as Ajeerna (indigestion) may result in Dushta Stanya (vitiated milk), leading to pediatric disorders. Despite classical emphasis, this maternal-infant digestive link remains underexplored in modern clinical frameworks.

Objective: This review aims to investigate the clinical relevance of maternal Ajeerna during lactation in contributing to early childhood disorders, integrating classical Ayurvedic principles with contemporary biomedical research and observational evidence.

Methods: A narrative review of Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Kashyapa Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya) was conducted alongside analysis of modern studies on maternal gut health, breast milk composition, and neonatal outcomes. Additionally, a six-month observational study involving 40 mother-infant dyads was evaluated to assess clinical correlations between maternal indigestion and pediatric symptoms.

Results: Classical Ayurvedic literature identifies Ajeerna as a key cause of Stanya Dushti, leading to symptoms such as infantile colic, diarrhea, skin disorders, and respiratory congestion. Modern research corroborates these findings, indicating that maternal dysbiosis and inflammation can alter breast milk composition, thereby affecting the infant’s immune and gastrointestinal development. In the observational study, infants showed marked improvement in colic, sleep quality, and digestion after maternal digestive interventions, without direct treatment to the child.

Conclusion: Maternal Ajeerna during lactation emerges as a clinically significant factor in pediatric health, validating the Ayurvedic approach of maternal-centered pediatric care. Integrating maternal digestive assessment into postnatal and pediatric practice offers a preventive, non-invasive, and effective strategy for managing early childhood disorders. These findings advocate for renewed attention to maternal digestion in both clinical research and healthcare policy.