Changes

=== Some developmental milestones of a child at 4th month ===

=== Some developmental milestones of a child at 4th month ===

A newborn child develops slowly and gradually achieves different growth and developmental milestones. At the age of 4 months of life the child usually achieves following milestones,<ref name=":0">Shobhit Kumar.A CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON VARIOUS SAMSKARA'S WITH THEIR SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL IMPORTANCE IN PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP  Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2017;5(5):78-81</ref><ref name=":1">Deepshikha, Rai A.CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CHILDHOOD SANSKARAS (SACRAMENTS) IN LIGHT OF CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE D Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2014; 2(2): 95-100</ref>

A newborn child develops slowly and gradually achieves different growth and developmental milestones. A developmental milestone is an ability that is achieved by any child by a certain age and thereby indicating the typical/healthy growth and development. At the age of 4 months of life the child usually achieves following milestones,<ref name=":0">Shobhit Kumar.A CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON VARIOUS SAMSKARA'S WITH THEIR SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL IMPORTANCE IN PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP  Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2017;5(5):78-81</ref><ref name=":1">Deepshikha, Rai A.CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CHILDHOOD SANSKARAS (SACRAMENTS) IN LIGHT OF CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE D Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2014; 2(2): 95-100</ref>

* Develops head control and hence carrying child becomes bit easier.  

* Develops head control and hence carrying child becomes bit easier.  

* The baby having given bath, adorned and worn new clothes.  

* The baby having given bath, adorned and worn new clothes.  

* Rakshoghna dravya dharana : Vedic texts and Ayurveda describe some herbs and medicinal substances that possess potential to enhance the immunity and defend the infections when those are just even carried along or worn on body. These are called as Rakshoghna dravyas. Ayurveda acharyas have given immense importance and utmost attention to following various measures that will prevent any infection to child body and ward off affliction of child's developing mind by external harmful factors like grahs and bhutas etc.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read Uttratantram Adhyaya 1 Sutra 21,24-28])</ref> Thus in every step of newborn care, use of Rakshoghna dravyas has been suggested. Thus clearly when the child is being brought in the outside environment in Nishkramana samskara for the first time, acharyas have advised to carry rakshoghna drvayas like Sidharthaka, honey, Ghrita, gorochana etc. These should be kept near the child when the baby is taken outside. Also, Shankha Nada and chanting of Vedic mantras to be done while bringing him/her out of the house.  

* Rakshoghna dravya dharana : Vedic texts and Ayurveda describe some herbs and medicinal substances that possess potential to enhance the immunity and defend the infections when those are just even carried along or worn on body. These are called as Rakshoghna dravyas. Ayurveda acharyas have given immense importance and utmost attention to following various measures that will prevent any infection to child body and ward off affliction of child's developing mind by external harmful factors like grahs and bhutas etc.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read Uttratantram Adhyaya 1 Sutra 21,24-28])</ref> Thus in every step of newborn care, use of Rakshoghna dravyas has been suggested. Thus clearly when the child is being brought in the outside environment in Nishkramana samskara for the first time, acharyas have advised to carry rakshoghna drvayas like Sidharthaka, honey, Ghrita, gorochana etc. These should be kept near the child when the baby is taken outside. Also, Shankha Nada and chanting of Vedic mantras to be done while bringing him/her out of the house.  

* The baby should be made enter in the temple after worshiping the burning fire; Brahman’s, god Vishnu, Skanda and receiving their blessing should reenter their own house.  In the temple religious offering should be offered to the god. The baby should be blessed by the priest and elders and should be taken back home. Thereafter worshiping the Agni (burning fire) with Ghrita and Akshata and then after venerating the Brahmana, God Vishnu, Skanda, Matrikas and other family gods with Gandha (fragrances), Pushpa (flowers), Dhupa (fumigations), Mala (garlands) etc. gifts and eatable substances and so many other methods; thereafter reciting the Brahmanas and taking their blessings and saluting the Guru, should re-enter own house;

* The baby should be made enter in the temple after worshiping the [[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni]] . Puja is performed and religious offerings are offered to Devata Vishnu, Skanda, Matrikas and kuldevatas etc. in the temple. Priests/brahnmanas/guru present in the temple shower their blessing over the child and then the child is brought back home

* A pediatrician should be present when the baby comes back home. He should bless him and do a thorough routine checkup. having entered, the physician should recite the mantra for offering prayer

* Once the baby returns home a Vaidya assesses the child. A thorough routine check up and examination of baby is to be conducted to assess his growth, development and well-being. An then he can guide the parents regarding baby care.

== Relevance and importance ==

== Relevance and importance ==

This Samskara is important for observing the developmental milestones. As the child meets many unknown persons its reaction in the form of social smile, laugh, fear, anxiety or curiosity can be observed. By the end of 4th month child develops head control. In temple, the child reacts to sounds of bell by turning the head around. Here lifting of the head with complete head control can be observed. Also the disappearance of grasping reflex (3-4 months), placing reflex (3-4 month), stepping reflex (3-4 months), rooting reflex (3-4 months), tonic neck (2-6 month) and Moro‟s reflex (3-4month). But persistence of these reflexes indicative of cerebral palsy.According to Acharya Kashyapa, the teeth inseminated in fourth month are weak, decay early and are afflicted with many diseases.[30] At fourth month age, following developmental changes appear in infant such as the infant been able to reaching out for objects with both hand (Bidextrous reach), able to rolls over the bed, recognizes the mother and responds to her voice, anticipate the feeds, laugh loudly when talked by someone, responds to sound well, starts cooing, curious and shows interest in surrounding environment, Able to fix eyes on external objects and adaptation to external environment begins.[31] (Arun Raj GR, Shailaja U, Prasanna N Rao. The childhood samskaras (Rites of passage) and its scientific appreciation. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci. 2013;2(12):372-383.)

This Samskara is important for observing the developmental milestones. As the child meets many unknown persons its reaction in the form of social smile, laugh, fear, anxiety or curiosity can be observed. By the end of 4th month child develops head control. In temple, the child reacts to sounds of bell by turning the head around. Here lifting of the head with complete head control can be observed. Also the disappearance of grasping reflex (3-4 months), placing reflex (3-4 month), stepping reflex (3-4 months), rooting reflex (3-4 months), tonic neck (2-6 month) and Moro‟s reflex (3-4month). But persistence of these reflexes indicative of cerebral palsy.According to Acharya Kashyapa, the teeth inseminated in fourth month are weak, decay early and are afflicted with many diseases.[30] At fourth month age, following developmental changes appear in infant such as the infant been able to reaching out for objects with both hand (Bidextrous reach), able to rolls over the bed, recognizes the mother and responds to her voice, anticipate the feeds, laugh loudly when talked by someone, responds to sound well, starts cooing, curious and shows interest in surrounding environment, Able to fix eyes on external objects and adaptation to external environment begins.[31] (Arun Raj GR, Shailaja U, Prasanna N Rao. The childhood samskaras (Rites of passage) and its scientific appreciation. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci. 2013;2(12):372-383.)