Infanthood is a critical period as rapid gains in physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional domains constitute the ‘building blocks’ of a child’s later growth. It explains why Balachikitsa is given the foremost position among Ashtangas (8 branches) of Ayurveda. Dr Amrita M Nandakumar, Medical Officer, Triveni Nursing Home, Thiruvananthapuram, writes:-