Table 2 Banthana practices relevant to the newborn
From: Neonatal care in rural Karnataka: healthy and harmful practices, the potential for change
Time | Practices |
|---|---|
Delivery to day 3 | -Home delivery takes place in a warm, dark room and mother and child are then confined to it |
| Â | -Umbilical cord cut after placenta is delivered |
| Â | -Mother and child are kept warm, although child may be left exposed until placenta is delivered |
| Â | -Access to mother and child is limited to care givers and immediate family |
| Â | -Pre-lacteal feeds are given to the baby including castor oil, sugar water and diluted cow's milk, also wet nursing |
| Â | -Sponge bath or body bath given for both infant and mother |
Day 3 to 40 | -Traditionally breastfeeding is initiated after the mother has a head bath on the third day (it is a common belief that milk 'descends' after the head bath). Head baths are given regularly to mother and child until Day 40 |
| Â | -Ritual pollution period ends on Day 40 (40 days is the important length, the 28 day neonatal period has no meaning) |
Day 40 to 3/4 months | -After visiting the temple mother and child can leave the house for essential visits |