Human adaptation has crafted an extraordinary immune system in your child over millions of years. This evolutionary masterpiece deserves our confidence and support—yet modern approaches often bypass this innate intelligence rather than enhance it.
In this episode, Dylan presents a powerful framework for nurturing your child’s natural immunity through time-tested practices that honor both ancient wisdom and the body’s sophisticated defenses.
Beyond specific practices and techniques, this episode addresses critical parental concerns about conventional vaccines, vitamin K injections, and the controversial honey “ban” for infants under one year. Dylan challenges assumptions while providing alternatives that empower parents to make confident, informed decisions based on both traditional knowledge and modern understanding.
Your child’s immunity is already immensely capable. Discover how to enhance this natural resilience through practices that have withstood the test of time while navigating modern health challenges with confidence and clarity.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
Table of Contents
The Innate Evolutionary Intelligence of a Baby’s Immune System
- The immune system is an evolutionary masterpiece, shaped over millions of years to provide sophisticated defense mechanisms.
- Modern interventions often bypass this natural intelligence instead of supporting and strengthening it.
- Ayurveda recognises that a baby is born with a highly capable immune system and emphasises working with nature rather than against it.
- The goal is not just to prevent illness but to enhance resilience, ensuring the child thrives with minimal interventions.
The First Steps in Building Immunity at Birth
- Delayed cord clamping allows vital blood, stem cells, and immune-supportive components to transfer from the placenta to the baby, supporting long-term immunity.
- Mode of birth matters – vaginal birth provides essential microbiota from the mother that strengthens the baby’s immune system.
- For those who undergo Caesarean sections (C-sections), microbiome swabbing can help introduce beneficial bacteria to the baby.
- Lotus Birth, where the umbilical cord is left to fall off naturally, is an alternative that honours the placenta’s role in nourishing the baby beyond birth.
Breast Milk and Its Role in Enhancing Immunisation
- Breast milk is nature’s perfect immunisation – containing antibodies, immune-boosting enzymes, and microbiota that protect against infections.
- It adapts to the baby’s needs, changing in composition to fight specific pathogens the baby is exposed to.
- Even for preterm or C-section babies, breast milk provides unmatched immune support.
- For non-breastfed babies, Ayurveda offers alternative nourishing and immunity-enhancing approaches.
Ancient Ayurveda Approaches to Enhancing Immunity
- Ayurveda recognises key daily routines (Dincharya) for babies that fortify their immune system from the start.
- Baby Abhyanga (oil massage): A foundational practice that strengthens immunity, supports the nervous system, and promotes physical development.
- Udvartanam (herbal paste massage): Enhances circulation, skin health, and immunity.
- Snān (bathing rituals): Not just cleansing, but a crucial daily rejuvenation practice for immune resilience.
- Dhūpana (fumigation therapy): Used to clear bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from the baby’s environment.
- Dress & Kajal / Añjana (energetic projection): Traditionally applied to protect against negative influences.
- Swarna Prashana (gold-infused herbal immunisation): A time-tested Ayurvedic protocol using the Swarna Prasa formula / purified gold ash (Swarna Bhasma) in honey with herbs to enhance immunity, intellect, and vitality.
- Herbal Formulas for Immunity:
- Pusya Drops: A mildly inferior version of Swarna Prasa, more affordable and yet very effective.
- Swasakasantak Yog: Supports respiratory health, prevents congestion, and strengthens immunity.
- Swasananda Leham: Enhances lung function and promotes robust immunity.
- Anand Siddhi Yog: A powerful tonic for strengthening overall vitality and immune resilience.
- Baby Agni: Supports digestive fire, ensuring the baby’s gut remains strong—a crucial factor in immunity.
- Swagni: A more advanced digestive formula for addressing digestive imbalances in infants.
The Honey Controversy: Understanding the Role of Honey in Infant Care
- Western medicine banned honey for infants under one year old due to concerns about botulism, but is this concern justified?
- Millennia of cultural traditions across the world have safely used honey for infant care without issue.
- The science behind honey’s antibacterial, immune-boosting, and medicinal properties.
- Upcoming Vital Veda Podcast episode dedicated entirely to debunking the honey myth in baby care.
The Role of Digestion in Immunity
- Ayurveda teaches that strong digestion (Agni) is the foundation of immunity – both for adults and infants.
- The importance of establishing healthy breastfeeding patterns to prevent digestive imbalances in newborns.
- Avoiding common mistakes like bathing babies after meals, which can weaken digestion and lead to toxin build-up.
- Ayurvedic herbal formulations for supporting a baby’s digestion and enhancing their ability to absorb nutrients for immune development.
The Importance of Parental Confidence: Learning to Trust Your Instincts
- Many parents feel pressured or uncertain about medical decisions, from vaccines to feeding choices.
- This episode empowers parents to trust their instincts and make confident, informed decisions based on both ancient wisdom and modern understanding.
- Ayurveda does not promote fear-based parenting – rather, it offers practical, time-tested approaches to nurturing a strong, resilient child.
- The best gift you can give your child is not just protection but the foundation for a lifetime of robust health and self-sufficiency.
RESOURCES:
Related Reading: Ayurvedic Postnatal Care Plan
Related Podcast Episodes:
- Immunising your Baby Effectively and Naturally | Dr. A.V. Raju #006
- Homeopathic Immunisation for Babies & Children | Dr Isaac Golden, World Authority on Homeopathic Immunisation #092
- SV Ayurveda #35 with Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum: Shedding Light on Vaccines: Pros & Cons – Part 1
- SV Ayurveda #36 with Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum: Shedding Light on Vaccines: Pros & Cons – Part 2
Related Course: Baby Abhyanga Massage: Postnatal Course & Community
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Please leave me a comment below (I love to read every single one).
