The Alchemy of Motherhood : Blood into Milk

1. In Ayurveda: From Digestion to Milk

Breastfeeding Family

In Ayurveda, everything begins with digestion (agni). The food a mother eats is broken down into nutrients, which first form the body’s first layer of nourishment—plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu).

Definition: plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu) are the fluids that carry hydration and nutrients throughout the body.

Simple explanation: plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu) are the “juicy” part your body makes through digestion. They are the foundational fluid that feeds and replenishes every other tissue.

Think of it like a pot of soup: the broth carries nourishment into every bite of vegetable or grain. Plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu) are like that broth in your body—they carry the vital nourishment of what you eat and drink to all your tissues.

When a woman is breastfeeding, part of her plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu) is refined into breast milk (stanya).

In Ayurveda, breast milk is described as a byproduct tissue (upadhatu) of plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu). In other words, it is formed from the same nourishing fluid (rasa dhatu) that also supports the mother’s body.

In Ayurveda, plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu) are also said to provide the nourishment that builds blood (rakta dhatu). Without healthy plasma and lymph (rasa dhatu), blood (rakta dhatu) cannot be strong or plentiful.

Why it matters: the same nourishment that restores a mother’s blood (rakta dhatu) is also what becomes her breast milk (stanya). Nourishing momma after birth is not just about replacing what was lost during pregnancy and delivery — it ensures a rich and steady supply of nutrients flows into her milk to sustain and protect her child.

From an Ayurvedic perspective:

Food → digestion (agni) → plasma + lymph (rasa dhatu)

Plasma + lymph (rasa dhatu) → nourish the body → create breast milk (stanya)

Plasma + lymph (rasa dhatu) → build blood (rakta dhatu) → which is why nourishing momma is essential for both her recovery and her milk

2. In Western Science: From Digestion to Milk

Western science explains breast milk as being created directly from the mother’s blood supply. Every part of breast milk can be traced back to what is circulating in her blood.

Definition: blood is the body’s transport system, carrying glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and immune cells throughout the body.

Simple explanation: the mammary glands pull what they need from mom’s blood supply and use it to produce milk.

Think of it like a kitchen: the mammary glands are gourmet chefs, selecting the best ingredients from the blood and preparing them into the perfect food for a newborn.

From a Western perspective:

Food → digestion → nutrients enter the blood

Amino acids (in blood) → build proteins in milk

Glucose (in blood) → converted into lactose (milk sugar)

Fatty acids (in blood) + stored maternal fat → become milk fats

Calcium + minerals (in blood) → provide mineral content of milkImmune cells + antibodies (in blood) → passed into milk to protect the baby

Why it matters: the nutrients circulating in a mother’s blood are exactly what become her baby’s milk. Supporting her recovery with balanced nutrition is not just about replenishing her own body after pregnancy and birth — it ensures her bloodstream is full of the proteins, fats, sugars, minerals, and immune factors that flow into her milk and directly nourish and protect her baby.

At their core, Ayurveda and Western science describe the same truth in different languages: what sustains momma is also what sustains her baby.

3. Why Postpartum Nutrition Matters

Both Ayurveda and Western science emphasize the same truth: after birth, momma’s body continues to give. The work

simply changes form: from carrying life in the womb to carrying life through milk. Her body instinctively prioritizes milk, ensuring her baby is fed — even if it means drawing on her reserves to do so. If nourishment is lacking, it can further drain her reserves and slow her recovery.

Definition: postpartum nutrition is the process of rebuilding mom’s internal resources—restoring blood, fluids, energy, and nutrient stores that were depleted in pregnancy and birth.

Simple explanation: when mom eats well, rests, and is supported, her body has what it needs to heal and to make rich milk for her baby. Without that, her body will still make milk—but it may “borrow” nutrients from her reserves, leaving her depleted.

Think of it like a shared pantry: the same kitchen supplies are used to feed both mom and baby. When the pantry is fully stocked, both thrive. But when it’s running low, the baby will get fed—while mom is left running on scraps.

From a postpartum perspective:

Pregnancy + birth + blood loss → lowers nutrient reserves

Lack of nourishing food and/or rest → slows momma’s ability to rebuild

Body still prioritizes milk → nutrients diverted into breast milk

Without sufficient support → mom feels drained, depleted, or may have slower healing

With proper nourishment → mom rebuilds strength → baby receives abundant, nutrient-rich milk → baby and mom are thriving

Why it matters: nourishing the mother is not a luxury—it’s essential! A diet of warm, digestible foods (broths, porridges, kitchari, spiced milk), plenty of hydration, and supportive herbs (such as shatavari, fenugreek, and ashwagandha) give momma’s body what it needs to heal, replenish, and continue producing milk that is rich, abundant, and lays the foundation for her baby’s lifelong health.

4. Blood Into Milk: The Mother’s Gift

Whether you look through the ancient lens of Ayurveda or the modern lens of Western science, the message is the same: a mother's breast milk is built from her blood.

What flows through momma flows into baby

The immediate postpartum period isn’t about momma “getting her body back.” Her body isn’t lost — it’s working harder than ever to heal from pregnancy and birth while also doing the heavy lifting of turning blood into milk.

Her healing is a gift — from her partner, when he supports and protects her and their home; from herself, when she prioritizes rest, nourishment, and gentleness; and it’s a gift for her baby, who receives that healing in every drop of milk.

In this season, rest and nourishment are not extras—they are the alchemy that turns blood into milk, milk into strength, and strength into the foundation of family.

From my heart to yours,

Sumer