How to balance a Vatta dosha child

Vata children have light flexible bodies, so they tend to be slim or underweight. There delicate skin tends to be easily dry, rough or extra sensitive to soaps or other products. You may find your Vata child has cold hands and feet due to poor circulation. Vata children have variable appetites and thirst as well as variable digestive strength, and therefore often experience digestive difficulties and problems with absorption of nutrients. Because of the dry, light, and mobile qualities of the dosha, adding the opposite to their diet and lifestyle works best. Your Vata child really appreciates routine since the mobile qualities of the dosha disturb the air and the ether. Implementing Vata diet and lifestyle works best for them.

Vata individuals tend to interrupted or restless sleep, or insomnia, especially when the dosha is aggravated. They are blessed with quick minds, mental flexibility, and creativity. They are easily excited, clear-minded, sometimes clairvoyant, alert and quick to act. When in balance they are joyful and happy. They tend to do best in the spring (wet) and summer (hot) seasons.

Out-of-Balance Vata Children

Once you get to know the normal traits of your child’s kid-type you will be able to identify the unbalanced traits and can help bring your child back into balance.

We are referring to out of balance when the child has tendencies to have too much of their dosha (air) in their body. When your Vata child is out of balance he/she will experience:

constipation, gaseous distention, weakness, arthritis, pneumonia, excessively dry skin, dry lips, hair, cracked nipples and heels, palpitations, breathlessness, muscle tightness, low backache, and sciatica. Also they can have nerve disorders and twitches, ticks, mental confusion and their mind becomes restless and hyperactive and they may experience fear, loneliness, anxiety, insecurity and worry.

How to Calm a Vata Child?

Sticking to a routine is difficult for Vata children, but vital if they are to remain healthy. Adequate sleep is important (minimum 8-12 hours, depending on the child’s age) to have reliable energy.

Mild exercise, as well as allowing for periods of reflection to remain calm during the day is important. The dry, cold, windy seasons of winter and fall tend to aggravate Vata, so particular attention must be paid that they avoid extreme cold temperatures, dress warmly, stay warm, eat warming foods and spices, take steam baths, and use moisturizers. Having a humidifier in the house is also recommended for them.

Sesame and almond oil, which are warming and heavy, should be applied moderately and on a regular basis, accompanying massage or on its own. Gentle, relaxing, and nurturing massage is essential to pacify high Vata, particularly good if applied to feet, top of head, back, and lower abdomen. Choose warming, calming essential oils, such as sandalwood, camphor, and cinnamon. Burning calming (warm and sweet) incense is also beneficial.

Food Tips for the Vata Constitution

Your Vata (Winter kid-type) child requires a tonifying, strengthening and warming diet with an emphasis on sweet (natural) and sours tastes. Salty is fine in moderation. Foods should be heavy and moist, and meals must be eaten at regular times each day.

1.     Cold drinks and cooling foods should be avoided, as well as refined sugars, caffeine (found in chocolate, carbonated drinks and certain medications).

2.     Dried fruits are good in small quantities as long as they are soaked overnight (not enough moisture in body to digest dry foods).

3.     Most fresh, sweet fruits are good, except apples and pears unless they cooked.

4.     All vegetables should be cooked. Salads are appropriate in moderation in the spring and summer, and will be more digestible with plenty of good quality oil.

5.     Sprouted wheat, oats, rice, and quinoa tend to be the best grains for Vata, while dry breads and crackers should be avoided.

6.     Lentils and mung beans are the best sources of protein. Organic dairy, yogurt, almond milk and soft cheese are also recommended if your child has no intolerance.

7.     In moderation, all nuts are good for Vata.

8.     In moderation, all seeds are good for Vata.

9.     All good quality oils are helpful for Vata with sesame and almond being excellent.

10.  All sweetners are good except for maple syrup which is cooling. Sugars create moisture in the body which helps Vata. However, avoid refined white sugar).