How to treat constipation during breastfeeding

For the health of the mother, after giving birth, most doctors will recommend that the mother reduce the time she spends out of bed and going out, and eat more high-nutrition foods to recuperate, which is what we commonly call confinement. However, long-term bed rest often leads to endocrine disorders in women and causes symptoms such as constipation. So how should we treat constipation during breastfeeding?

What to do if you have constipation during breastfeeding

1. Diet therapy: balanced diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables, mainly bananas and pears, and crude fiber vegetables, such as celery, garlic sprouts, etc.; drink more honey to moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements; drink more water to accelerate gastrointestinal motility, promote digestion and absorption, and relieve constipation symptoms.

2. Exercise more: Increase exercise. New mothers often like to stay in bed, which is not conducive to defecation. 6-8 hours after natural delivery, you should sit up and do some turning activities, adopt different sleeping or sitting positions, and gently massage your lower abdomen; get up on the second day and walk back and forth in the room. Regular life and abdominal massage for breastfeeding mothers can help restore intestinal motility and prevent constipation.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine therapy: take some traditional Chinese medicine appropriately. It is better to use mild laxative Chinese medicine and Chinese patent medicine. Do not use antibiotics or other drugs to avoid affecting breastfeeding. Chinese patent medicines include Weixiaoyao Pills, Maziren Pills, Niuhuang Jiedu Soft Capsules, etc., which can effectively treat constipation.

What to eat for breastfeeding mothers with constipation

There are many reasons for constipation during lactation. The most important reasons are as follows:

1. Due to the weakening of gastrointestinal function and slow intestinal motility during the postpartum period, intestinal contents stay in the intestine for a long time, resulting in water absorption and dry stools.

2. The abdomen expands excessively during pregnancy, causing the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor tissues to relax, and the force of defecation to weaken.

3. The dietary structure is unreasonable and the intake of vegetables and fruits is low.

In view of the above reasons, new mothers should insist on exercising, massaging their abdomen more often, and eating a balanced diet during breastfeeding, which can effectively relieve constipation.

1. Eat apples - Eating one or two apples on an empty stomach every morning and evening can cure dry and hard stools.

2. Eat bananas - Eating one or two bananas every morning can cure hemorrhoid bleeding and dry stools.

3. Eat sweet potatoes - use 50 grams of sweet potatoes, add appropriate amount of water and cook, season with salt or sugar, and eat as a snack before going to bed.

4. Take radish - take 100 grams of white radish, put it in a sterilized gauze, squeeze out the juice and mix it with honey to take once a day.

5. Drink honey - take 50 grams of honey, mix it with warm water, once in the morning and once in the evening, to treat senile constipation.

6. Drink leek juice - take leek leaves or roots and mash them into a small cup of juice, then drink it with warm water and a little wine.

7. Eat spinach - Cook fresh spinach into soup and eat it lightly to cure symptoms such as urinary problems and constipation.

8. Take sesame seeds - Take 30 grams of sesame seeds and 60 grams of walnuts, mash them together, and take one spoonful every morning.

9. Eat celery - use 120 grams of celery, wash and cut into segments or minced, and cook porridge with 250 grams of polished rice.

10. Eat jujubes - Boil 10 jujubes every night and eat them before going to bed to cure habitual constipation.

Breastfeeding women should avoid drinking alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and eating spicy foods; avoid foods high in protein and calcium, such as fish, salted eggs, preserved eggs, soy products, kelp, seaweed, etc.; avoid bloating and indigestible foods, such as dried beans, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sweets.