Constipation in nursing mother: causes and ways of treatment

Many mothers have difficulty with stool for the first time after delivery, regardless of whether they gave birth naturally or by cesarean section. Constipation in nursing mothers can occur mainly for psychological reasons or because of poor nutrition.

Psychologically, it can be manifested, for example, with fear of divergence of sutures after cesarean or rupture during natural childbirth. It also happens that the breastfeeding mom simply forgets about her physiological needs or what it takes to eat right and right. Add problems with the stool and stitches imposed during COP or during tears during labor. At discharge in the maternity hospital, mothers are put in an enema if she did not go to the toilet herself, and as a parting word, doctors do not recommend "pushing" the next three to four weeks after giving birth so that the seams do not part. This, of course, does not help to reduce anxiety, if necessary, go to the toilet "for the most part."

Constipation appears as a consequence of low mobility, constant containment of defecation, metabolic disorders. Some diseases of the central nervous system, various inflammations and diseases in the body such as hemorrhoids, violations of the motor function of the intestine, fecal stones, can also cause constipation in the nursing mother. The problem of constipation can also arise from the use of preparations containing iron, diuretics and multivitamin complexes, due to lack of consumed liquid and fiber-containing food.

What if the constipation of a nursing mother still occurs? You need to eat foods that are natural laxatives. It can be, for example, dried fruits, bran, oatmeal, kiwi, sunflower oil, peas, plums, beets, carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, apricot or dried apricots, spinach, watermelon, sour-milk products.

A nursing mother should consume at least one and a half liters of water or juice a day, so that there is no dehydration of the body. The juice is preferably carrot, apricot, pumpkin, plum or peach. However, if there are swelling in the body, a woman should consult a doctor about the amount of fluids she should drink during the day.

It is also necessary to limit the amount of animal food, for example, milk, eggs or meat. Naturally, fatty and fried foods are contraindicated. Rice, fast food, chips and crackers, strong tea and coffee, nuts can also cause constipation in nursing mothers.

Naturally, each organism is individual, some mums can help a glass of water drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, or a spoon of vegetable oil, others are not helped a little and all of the above. However, it is better to select medicinal laxatives on the recommendation of the attending physician, since the ingredients of the medicine inevitably fall into the breast milk and can simultaneously cause a laxative effect in the child, and in the worst case - intestinal colic. This will cause trouble for both the baby and mom, so it's better not to abuse drugs. Drugs, although they help to relieve constipation in a nursing mother, can still cause addiction, and as a result - a problem with self-defecation.

You can also use enema and glycerin suppositories. However, the latter can only be used if there are no hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Enema should be used as a last resort, because with its application, the intestinal microflora is washed out, which subsequently binds negatively to the body as a whole.

So, the nursing mother just needs to maintain a healthy and moving lifestyle, that is, stay in the fresh air for as long as possible. This will strengthen the musculature of the abdominal cavity and increase the tone of the entire body. If you apply most of the above recommendations or at least those that are suitable individually, then the constipation of a nursing mother soon ceases to be a pressing problem, and you can, without being distracted by such annoying inconveniences, fully plunge into the sea of childcare responsibilities.