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→Concept of dhatri or wet nurse
== Concept of dhatri or wet nurse ==
== Concept of dhatri or wet nurse ==
Breast feeding is started as soon as lactation starts or at least within the 3 to 4 days of post-natal period. [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/14] Dhatri or wet nurse feeds the infant in case of the inability of breast feeding by the mother. The dhatri should be in the state of optimum health and conduct in order to provide best nutrition to the baby. This can be understood as the application of concept of formula feed or breast milk storage or obtaining the same from the milk banks to ensure the nutrition of child. According to Sushruta, the dhatri must be of sama varna (of same ethnicity), madhyama pramana (medium built), madhya vaya (middle aged), aroga (disease free), sheelavati (with good character), achapala (not impatient), alolupa (satisfied), akrisha (not too thin), asthula (not too fat), avyanga (not having any disability), avyasani (devoid of any addictions), prasanna ksheera (breast milk is not vitiated), vatsala (caring and loving), jeevatvatsa (whose infant is alive). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25, Cha. Sa. Shareera Sthana 8/52] Ashtang Hridaya advises two dhatri or nursing mothers. [A. H. Uttar Tantra 1/15-16] Sushruta mentions to commence the breast feeding from right breast first after proper mantroccharana (chanting of mantra). [Su. Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/25-27]