Constipation during breastfeeding. Constipation after childbirth during breastfeeding: treatment with folk remedies and drugs

Ekaterina Rakitina

Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Klinikum, Germany

Reading time: 4 minutes

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Appears quite often. At the same time, problems with emptying are observed both in a breastfeeding mother and in a child. The main cause of constipation is the malnutrition of a woman, but often the psycho-emotional state of the mother also leads to constipation in a child. Treatment of constipation during lactation should be comprehensive and not include laxatives. Otherwise, therapy will negatively affect the development and health of the baby.

Constipation in newborns

Constipation in an adult is indicated by the absence of defecation for more than two days and incomplete emptying, accompanied by the release of dense feces. In newborn children, the symptoms of constipation are slightly different, so young inexperienced parents do not notice this problem for a long time, based on the criteria above.

Constipation after childbirth during breastfeeding in children develops very often. A number of reasons lead to the pathological process, which are usually associated with the condition of the mother and errors in her diet. You can suspect intestinal dysfunction in infants by the following signs:

• increased gas formation;
• hardening of the abdomen;
• putrid-smelling stools;
• crying and straining during bowel movements;
• the child often tucks his legs up to his stomach and behaves restlessly.

In the case of chronic constipation, the child's appetite worsens, which is why he does not gain weight well. There is also an increase in regurgitation, which can occur both after feeding and between meals.

Constipation in an infant during breastfeeding can be manifested by a change in the structure and color of excrement. The frequency of emptying is disturbed and the amount of released masses decreases. Pathology can also be suspected by bloating and soreness of the abdomen, which is accompanied by frequent crying and moodiness.

Constipation in a breastfeeding baby

Difficulties with defecation in infants can occur for a number of reasons, including a lack of breast milk and an unbalanced diet for a nursing mother. In the first case, constipation is called "hungry constipation" and the treatment of this process consists in supplementing the child with water and introducing complementary foods. In the second, to eliminate the problem, it is enough to adjust the diet, abandoning astringent foods, giving preference to easily digestible dishes and vegetable fiber.

Constipation in infants during breastfeeding can also occur for the following reasons:

• inappropriate formula for complementary foods;
• a sharp change in the diet of the mother or baby (transfer to mixtures);
• taking certain medications;
• mother's negative habits;
• lack of fiber in the diet;
• lack of fluid in the body.

If we talk about more serious reasons, then congenital or acquired diseases can provoke problems with emptying. For example, the process of defecation is hampered by poor intestinal patency, due to the appearance of adhesions on the intestinal walls and other pathological formations. All this can occur against the background of an infection or an acute inflammatory process.

Also, constipation in children under one year old during lactation often develops due to malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract. At this age, digestion and intestinal function are often disturbed, since the adaptation period lasts up to 10-12 months.

Postpartum constipation in a breastfeeding mother

Postpartum constipation during lactation is a common concern for women. Problems with emptying occur on the first day after the birth of the baby and can accompany the young mother for several months, manifesting themselves with the following symptoms:

• flatulence;
• difficulty passing gases;
• heaviness in the abdomen and in the intestines;
• compaction or drying out of feces;
• poor intestinal patency (attempts during bowel movements);
• stool every 2 to 4 days, etc.

Most often, constipation after childbirth develops due to non-compliance with the diet and drinking regimen. But constipation during breastfeeding can also occur for the following reasons:

• consequences of caesarean section;
• against the background of stress, which is associated with strong feelings about the new status and the responsibility that has appeared;
• postpartum depression;
• the reaction of the body to anesthesia;
• taking medications;
• decrease in the tone of the muscles of the peritoneum.

In addition, postpartum bowel dysfunction is often observed in women due to the suppression of the urge to void. This often occurs against the background of fear of defecation. New mothers are afraid that the feces will be accompanied by ruptured sutures and pain.

How to help a baby with constipation

Constipation in newborns while breastfeeding what to do to safely eliminate the problem? Restoration of normal bowel function for children under one year old can be carried out independently only with minor constipation, which appears periodically due to malnutrition. Chronic and acute constipation should be treated under medical supervision after careful diagnosis.

If you notice symptoms in your child that indicate difficulties with the stool, you need to use the following recommendations:

1. Daily massage the baby's abdomen with stroking the palm clockwise and light pressure. The procedure must be supplemented by pressing the legs to the stomach and the “bike” exercise. Important! If the child cries during gymnastics, the procedure should be stopped and contacted by a pediatrician.
2. With a difficult stool, the newborn should be placed on the tummy more often.
3. Apply a warm diaper to the abdomen or activate peristalsis with a warm herbal bath.

If the above tips do not help, then the child should undergo an enema procedure. You can resort to an enema no more than 2-3 times a week and only in case of hardening of the feces.

As for rectal suppositories and medications, they are best used only as directed by a doctor.

Restoration of stool in a nursing mother

Chronic constipation during breastfeeding, what should a mother do to restore the stool without harming the baby? Treatment of constipation in a woman during lactation should be comprehensive, but balanced. Experts in this case give the following recommendations:

1. Change your diet. It is necessary to abandon foods that strengthen the intestines and reduce the consumption of fried, smoked, pickled and sweet foods. Also, with constipation, you need to monitor the amount of baked goods eaten. It is useful to include vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products in the menu.
2. Keep track of the water-salt balance. For the normal formation of feces and the active work of the muscles of the intestine, you should drink at least 1.5 liters of pure water daily. During lactation, the rate can be increased to 2-2.5 liters, since most of the liquid is used to produce milk.
3. Give up some habits. When breastfeeding, you should not get carried away with strong tea, coffee and cocoa. No alcohol and smoking! Women who like to lead a passive lifestyle should move more. Daily gymnastics will not only relieve constipation, but also help to bring the body into shape after childbirth.

As for laxatives, they should not be present in the treatment. Everything that the mother consumes enters the child's body through breast milk, and these drugs will negatively affect his health, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.

Constipation in newborns while breastfeeding, as well as at mother, it is possible to warn. Much depends on the woman herself. So, for the duration of lactation, she needs to follow a diet and monitor her drinking regimen. Medications should be taken only as directed by a doctor, having previously studied the annotation.

With the birth of children, the happiness of motherhood and some health difficulties come into the life of a woman. For example, mothers find it difficult to go to the toilet "in a big way" after discovering a delicate problem not immediately, but after a few days. Constipation causes physiological and psychological discomfort, so they need to be treated as soon as possible. Moreover, they often affect the well-being of the baby.

Causes of constipation in breastfeeding women

Constipation is considered difficulty with bowel movements for more than three days. Most often this occurs after trauma to the rectum during childbirth. An inactive lifestyle and an unbalanced diet also lead to problems with the movement of feces.

Symptoms of postpartum constipation in women

When caring for a newborn, mothers often tend to neglect their own needs, because of this, nutrition becomes irregular. Postponing a visit to the toilet, even though there is an urge to defecate - the removal of feces from the body - there are, a woman brings herself to constipation.

Signs indicating that a woman is constipated:

• defecation does not occur for more than 72 hours;
• the process of the exit of feces causes pain, the feces are excreted in too small or very large portions;
• there is severe discomfort in the left side of the abdomen or the entire abdominal cavity;
• there is no appetite, but there is nausea, flatulence and vomiting or belching;
• even after a bowel movement, the feeling that the intestines are full does not leave;
• cracks appear in the anus, accompanied by pain and bleeding.

Against the background of these all or individual symptoms, a woman feels tired, apathetic, or, conversely, irritable.

Common causes of constipation in breastfeeding mothers include:

• bowel response to postpartum hormones. The production of progesterone during pregnancy for some time after childbirth affects peristalsis - the movement of intestinal contents. The conception and bearing of the next child by a nursing mother resumes the synthesis of hormones, causing changes in the endocrine system;
• sleep disturbance and constant lack of sleep due to the newborn requiring attention. Any stress negatively affects the process of fecal mass exit from the rectum;
• diabetes mellitus and neoplasms in the organs of a woman;
• trauma to the rectum during surgery or the passage of the child through the birth canal, hemorrhoids;
• stretching of the abdominal muscles or perineum;
• the presence of sutures in the vagina. A woman is subconsciously afraid to strain in order to avoid repeated breaks;
• the pressure exerted by the uterus, which has not yet returned to its natural size, on the pelvic organs;
• wrong diet of a young mother. Too fatty, salty or sweet food breaks the stool, just like vice versa, a meager menu of those who want to lose weight after childbirth sooner. It is important to strike a balance;
• taking certain medications prescribed by a doctor for postpartum recovery;
• insufficient amount of fluid to drink. For normal lactation, you need to drink about 2 liters of fluid per day, there is nothing left for the intestines.

Let me remind you that milk is perceived by the body as food. And whole cow can not drink more than 200 ml per day. I sometimes added it in small portions to herbal tea from the collection for nursing women, trying to drink more pure water. It is much more useful to consume fermented milk products, but try not to exceed the general norm for milk - 350–400 ml per day. My husband brought me yogurt, fortunately, in the shops of the city there was no difficulty in goods that were no more than a day old. Contrary to popular belief about the positive effect of kefir on peristalsis, starting from the second day from production, this tasty fermented milk product has a strengthening effect on the intestines.

What is the danger of constipation for mother and child

The well-being of the baby depends on the mother. Surely you have noticed children's whims when your mother is in a bad mood, and constipation does not contribute to positive emotions in any way due to intoxication of the body. Poisonous substances through breast milk enter the baby, this is an important reason not to ignore the retention of feces in the mother's intestines.

If the mother has constipation due to malnutrition, then the child also begins to have problems with the intestines.

In a nursing woman, due to pathological conditions with constipation, the production of breast milk may decrease or even completely stop. Discomfort is caused by:

• feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
• flatulence of the intestine;
• lower abdominal pain;
• loss of appetite;
• decrease in working capacity;
• headaches;
• sleep disorders;
• bad breath;
• dry inelastic skin;
• nervousness and anxiety.

Specifically, the reasons are divided into anatomical and emotional, when the subconscious mind of a woman who has given birth recalls recent pain sensations, interfering with a normal bowel movement for fear of a recurrence of pain.

Types of constipation in breastfeeding women

Medicine distinguishes 2 main types of delayed bowel movements in women in the postpartum period.

Spasmodic constipation occurs when the muscles of the anus tighten for fear that the tension will open the sutures or cause pain again. The process of coping is hampered by a compressed sphincter.

Atonic constipation in women is most common after caesarean section. When cutting the abdominal cavity, the sensitivity of the nerves is disturbed and the muscles of the intestines weaken. Negatively affects peristalsis treatment with antibiotics and painkillers after cesarean section. The urge to defecate is felt very rarely, as a result of which the stool hardens and leaves with pain and bleeding.

If you are offered to help with a child so that you can rest, thank and accept - children need vigorous and healthy mothers

Dr. Komarovsky about constipation in women during breastfeeding

The famous pediatrician believes that in the first months of life, colic in a baby is normal and natural. Of course, if they do not happen too often. The digestive system of a newborn is going through a period of formation, and there is no direct connection with the quality and quantity of mother's milk. Therefore, you should not give up some fruits or vegetables that normalize bowel function just for fear of colic in a child. Nutrition advice for a nursing mother is given by the local pediatrician after examining the baby.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky about baby colic

Nutrition for a young mother to prevent constipation

Most often, problems with peristalsis are observed in women in the first days after childbirth. To avoid this, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. The first day after childbirth, women in labor are forbidden to take any food. It is recommended to drink mineral water without gas, to which you can add a small amount of lemon juice. You can not limit yourself to liquids, since milk production has not yet begun in full force, and water softens the feces and facilitates their removal from the body.
2. On the second day, it is allowed to add a little low-fat kefir and lean broth to the menu. Taking a piece of chicken fillet or lean beef meat, put in water, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, then drain. Do this twice, and only on the third time, changing the water, cook to the end. The presence in the diet of a woman in labor of rosehip broth, weakly brewed tea and still water is mandatory.
3. On the third day, you can gradually introduce solid food - a small piece of boiled meat or hard cheese (up to 30 grams), a baked green apple and porridge boiled in water. The alternation of fractional portions of solid food and the required amount of liquid in most women in labor reduces the risk of constipation. In the case of a predisposition to constipation in a woman before pregnancy and during gestation, the observing doctor prescribes a dropper with a laxative that is harmless to the mother and child, most often metoclopramide.

Drink more juices, which in the first 8 weeks are best diluted with clean water in a ratio of 1:3. At night, you can try beetroot juice with vegetable oil.

I don’t remember who advised me such a recipe - for a glass of kefir (I took 1%) a tablespoon of sunflower oil. Washed out even more than I wanted. But always start with a small amount and look at the reaction of the baby. Even on the advice of the patronage nurse, in the mornings she cooked rare porridge - alternated oatmeal and buckwheat - and instead of the usual butter, she seasoned with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. The best friends of a nursing mother are foods rich in fiber. Even in the hospital they brought me baked apples, which I ate in a teaspoon. Then the kiwi and its small black bones helped out a lot, peeled it only from the peel. Both times after giving birth, my godfather was saved by a salad of boiled beets seasoned with olive oil.

Forget about fast food and processed foods, fatty and sugary foods that absorb all the water from the intestines. Banned drinks with caffeine - black tea and coffee.

Please note that semolina and boiled eggs have fixing properties, so you need to be careful with their presence on your menu. But these are not all products, the presence of which is undesirable in the postpartum diet.

Table: foods that can and cannot be eaten by nursing mothers so that there is no constipation

The rest of the products are conditionally allowed if the time has come for their introduction to the menu of a nursing mother and there is no individual intolerance.

Photo gallery: products for the prevention of constipation in women while breastfeeding

Fruits and vegetables for lactating women are best consumed in a baked form, preferably by removing the peel Fermented milk products in the mother's menu during lactation should be free of sugar and other additives Nursing mothers need to replace wheat bread in their diet with grains that are more beneficial for the intestines
The benefits of natural vegetable oils are that they envelop the walls of the intestine and help to improve its evacuation function.

Physical exercises that help with constipation in nursing mothers

Low physical activity leads to disturbances in peristalsis. Ask your doctor if all the exercises recommended for difficulty with defecation are allowed for you for health reasons.

To reduce the risk of constipation, it is helpful to do the following exercises:

• bicycle - periodically lie on the floor with your back and twist your legs bent at the knees at least 25–30 times, like pedaling while riding a bicycle;
• alternately 10 times to pull up the legs bent at the hip and knee joints, pressing them to the stomach in the supine position;
• lying on your stomach, inhaling air, raise your right arm and left leg and lower it as you exhale. Do the same with the left arm and right leg, repeating the entire cycle at least 10 times;
• cat - kneeling, straightening his arms, bending his back, as if trying to squeeze into a gap under the fence. Then arch your back, like a cat at the sight of a dog. Repeat 20-25 times;
• gently stroke the stomach clockwise for 5-7 minutes, lying on the stomach.

For proper bowel function, at least half an hour of daily walking at an average walking pace is useful. For example, walking with a child. Yoga classes have a positive effect on the general condition of a woman.

Video: three best exercises for constipation

Treatment of constipation in women during breastfeeding

Self-medication is strictly prohibited. Be sure to ask your doctor about the possibility of using a laxative, and which drug is suitable in a particular case. Perhaps additional studies will be assigned if constipation does not go away for a very long time.

If constipation does not go away for a long time, in order to eliminate it, it is recommended to start using bran in its pure form or products containing them, for example, Eubicor. For treatment, it is enough to take it 3 times throughout the day. To get rid of constipation, a nursing mother should not drink laxatives used by everyone. The result of such treatment of the problem will be abdominal pain and diarrhea in the baby.

Drug treatments for nursing mothers with problems with bowel movements

With constipation in nursing mothers successfully fight drugs containing lactulose, which is not digested by the human digestive system. Lactulose colonizes the intestines with bifidus and lactobacilli, providing a softening and acidifying effect of the intestinal contents. The most popular are Lactulose Poly, Normaze, Portalak, Romphalak and They do not affect peristalsis, but have a laxative effect and facilitate the natural removal of feces.

Microlax and Linex are prescribed even for newborns, so they do not pose a danger if a small part gets into the baby with breast milk.

During lactation, some are allowed - Forreza RomFarm, Forlax or Fortrans, which are based on macrogol. These funds are produced in the form of powders for the preparation of a suspension.

They drink them only if it was not possible to cope with constipation in other ways, and as directed by a doctor, 15 ml in the morning on an empty stomach.

The International Formulary of Medicines states that new mothers can use senna products to treat constipation. However, domestic doctors do not recommend being treated during lactation with Regulax, Gutalax or Sennilax. Their effect on the intestines of mother and child through milk is not fully explored, so the best choice would be to avoid treatment with laxatives with an extract of senna, an Indian shrub plant.

Senna-based preparations are contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as they can cause intestinal dystrophy

Candles for constipation in women during lactation

Candles, or scientifically, rectal suppositories for constipation in the postpartum period should not pose a danger to the child. Therefore, doctors recommend those whose mechanism of action is based on local irritation. For example, glycerin suppositories or others that cause gas formation.

Glycerin suppositories have a mild irritant effect on the rectal mucosa and attract water from the intestines, softening the feces. They are especially good for perineal muscle ruptures, when pushing is contraindicated. Gently acting on the intestines, glycerin suppositories regulate the process of emptying.

But with acute inflammation, fresh cracks in the anus or acute hemorrhoids, candles should not be used.

Rectal suppositories with sea buckthorn help from cracks, they heal wounds and have a laxative effect thanks to natural sea buckthorn oil.

Drugs that promote gas formation are Ferrolax and Calciolax. The ingredients that make up their composition release carbon dioxide, which inflates the rectum. The act of defecation after this is easier. Rhubarb candles work in a similar way.

The drug Evacyu is more expensive than the rest, but its effect on the intestines is as close as possible to natural gas formation and is safe for the baby.

Candles are inserted without strong pressure in the morning after breakfast. After that, it is recommended to lie on your side for 7-10 minutes, bending your knees, then walk. The effect is achieved 45-50 minutes after administration.

The convenient shape of the suppositories facilitates their introduction into the anus, but you need to lie down for a few minutes for them to begin to act in the rectum

Remember, laxatives are first aid, not a complete solution to constipation. If they are taken regularly, the effect will decrease, and you will be forced to constantly increase the dosage. It is better to try to establish the exact cause by contacting a doctor, and deal with its treatment or prevention, reviewing your usual lifestyle.

Sea buckthorn candles are the bomb, let me tell you. Due to the fact that she was pushing incorrectly, hemorrhoids began and cracks appeared. Going to the toilet was an ordeal, I even roared out loud in pain. Moreover, she gave birth without painkillers, never screaming. My husband, unable to bear my torment, asked at the pharmacy for anything other than Dufalac, and the pharmacist advised candles with sea buckthorn oil. They saved me.

Enema for constipation for nursing mothers

Most doctors consider the use of an enema ineffective with a weakened tone of the intestinal muscles. And sometimes an enema is even harmful, because it can worsen the situation with lazy bowel syndrome. The decision to use an enema should be made solely by the doctor observing the woman, and the nurse should do the enema. At least, the first time after childbirth. If you often do an enema, you can disrupt the intestinal microflora, clearing it of beneficial microorganisms.

Phytotherapy for constipation in women during breastfeeding

Herbal therapy is allowed if the mother and child are not allergic to the components of the formulations. Try the following recipes:

• infusion of figs with milk - pour 2-2.5 tablespoons of dried figs with a glass of hot milk (boiled water can be used), cool and take 1 tablespoon four times a day. Infusion of figs saturates the bodies of mothers and children with essential vitamins and helps speedy recovery after childbirth;
• infusion of anise, cumin and fennel - take 2 tablespoons of each ingredient and pour a glass of boiling water. Three times a day, drinking a third of a glass of infusion 30 minutes before a meal, you can establish the process of lactation and get rid of constipation;
• gooseberry decoction - pour one tablespoon of gooseberries (berries) into a glass of water, bring to a boil and cook for 5–7 minutes. Strain the cooled broth and drink a quarter cup 4 times a day.

It is necessary to start any treatment with small doses, observing the child's reaction to possible new components in mother's milk. If you notice rashes or indigestion, look for another way to get rid of constipation.

Video: useful properties of cumin

Don't wait for it to go away on its own. As experience shows, over time, more and more problems begin if constipation is ignored. Consult with doctors about diet correction, lead an active lifestyle and your health will improve.

If bowel movements occur less than 3 times within 7 days, while there is heaviness and fullness in the intestines, or when the emptying is incomplete, there are obvious problems with the stool. With such signs, treatment of constipation during breastfeeding is required. But how can a young mother normalize stool without harm to the baby? Find out from our article.

Why can you get constipated while breastfeeding?

In the postpartum period, the female body is restored: the shape of the body gradually returns, the uterus decreases in size, a change in hormonal levels is observed, and the breast begins to produce milk. Since the changes occur abruptly, this can lead to the development of constipation in a nursing mother.

There are various reasons why the system of the small and large intestine begins to function differently, and there are difficulties with defecation:

1. In natural childbirth, ruptures often occur, or doctors have to do an episiothymia. The fear that it will hurt during a bowel movement or that the seams will open makes a woman hold back the urge to defecate. This behavior can lead to compaction of feces and subsequent difficulty in their removal.
2. If delivery occurred by caesarean section, after epidural anesthesia, the intestines decrease for some time due to the fact that innervation is disturbed. In addition, going to the toilet is not always possible due to pain in the area of ​​the postoperative suture.
3. Fear, if necessary, to push stops a woman and makes her hold back the urge to empty herself.
4. Excessive stretching of the muscle fibers of the anterior abdominal wall, as well as a pronounced weakening of the muscular corset, leads to a decrease in the activity of intestinal contractions and difficult excretion of feces.
5. The uterus slowly returns to its original size over 1-1.5 months, therefore, in the early postpartum period, its pressure on the intestines is possible.
6. Insufficient physical activity due to lack of time or the widespread belief that fitness should not be done with HB leads to a decrease in tone.
7. A small amount of fluid you drink leads to constipation when breastfeeding. During lactation, you need to drink enough water, as the body spends its reserves on milk production.
8. Exacerbation of hemorrhoids after childbirth.

These reasons contribute to the development of constipation in the early postpartum period, but the main role in gastrointestinal dysfunction during breastfeeding is played by an unbalanced diet, which lacks substances such as coarse fiber, fiber and lactic acid bacteria, so it is necessary to start treating problems with defecation with adjustments to the daily menu. A young mother is often afraid to eat various vegetables and fruits because of the likelihood of an allergic reaction in the baby.

Why is it dangerous?

Constipation that occurs after childbirth in new mothers while breastfeeding can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, with prolonged difficulties with defecation, you should immediately contact a specialist to find out the causes and select a comprehensive treatment.

Constipation in a nursing mother is dangerous, as toxins accumulate in the intestines, and due to the fact that they are not removed in a timely manner, they are absorbed through the intestinal walls, and there is a possibility of self-poisoning. Harmful substances can penetrate into breast milk and be transmitted with it to the child.

There are certain signs that appear with constipation in a nursing mother, in the event of which it is necessary to consult a doctor. These symptoms include:

• pisiform feces, in the form of stretching threads, or mostly consisting of mucus;
• blotches of blood;
• hyperthermia, spastic abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, convulsions accompanying constipation;
• problems with stools last for about six months, repeating with high frequency.

Often difficulties in defecation are accompanied by severe flatulence. If you cannot cope with increased gas formation on your own, it is better to seek medical help.

In especially severe situations, there is a possibility of dangerous complications:

• intestinal obstruction;
• diverticulitis of the large intestine;
• development of bleeding from hemorrhoidal veins.

It takes time for such effects to occur, they usually appear in advanced cases. To prevent their development, it is necessary to contact a specialist in a timely manner.

Treatment methods for nursing mothers

Treatment of constipation during breastfeeding with the use of medications should be carried out strictly according to the doctor's prescription. Particular attention must be paid to the choice of medication, since not all drugs are compatible with lactation.

In order to fully treat constipation in a mother who is breastfeeding, the root cause of the development of defecation disorders should be established. Indeed, to eliminate problems with the stool that have arisen due to physical inactivity or malnutrition, some methods are suitable, and for constipation that has developed with hemorrhoids, a radically different approach to therapy is required.

Before treating constipation in a nursing mother, you should make sure that she and the baby are not allergic to certain substances that make up the medicines. That is why it is better to give preference to herbal preparations or those that are not absorbed in the body, but are excreted unchanged from the intestines.

What to do to eliminate constipation in a nursing mother? You can use the following tools:

• Microclysters. Microlax rectal contains citrate and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, which have a laxative effect and make it possible to quickly get rid of constipation. Microclyster is safe, since its use does not develop addiction, this remedy does not irritate the end sections of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Glycerin suppositories. A popular remedy for difficult bowel movements, which facilitates the passage of feces through the rectum.
• Suspensions with lactulose. The composition of the syrup contains an artificially synthesized enzyme lactulose, which does not affect the smooth muscle fibers of the intestinal wall. Its action is based on an increase in the volume of feces and the flow of water into the intestinal lumen. In addition, the tool has a positive effect on the growth of lactobacilli. Representatives - Normase, Dufalac, Lactulose.

Sometimes constipation is treated with folk remedies, which allows you to improve bowel function, however, this is allowed after consulting a doctor:

1. You can drink daily a glass of decoction of the mixture and dried apricots.
2. Useful salad of boiled beets, seasoned with vegetable oil.
3. On an empty stomach after waking up, you need to drink 250 ml of clean cold water.
4. Before going to bed, it is recommended to drink a mug of kefir.
5. Plum juice also helps relieve short-term constipation.

Prevention

After the birth of a child, a nursing mother should pay attention not only to the newborn - one should not forget about herself, because the condition of the baby largely depends on the health and well-being of a woman. Proper and nutritious nutrition plays a special role in the prevention of constipation with HS in the mother. Based on this, the diet of a woman when breastfeeding a baby should consist of foods high in fiber and coarse fiber.

Nutrition tips for this period:

1. Every day you should drink at least 2-2.5 liters of clean water. This will help prevent constipation after childbirth while breastfeeding.
2. It is necessary to reduce the use of products that adversely affect the work of the digestive tract. These include spicy, fried foods, pickles and marinades, smoked meats, fatty meats, pastries, legumes.
3. With constipation, you should eat more foods that stimulate bowel contractions. It is necessary to ensure that every day the menu contains fermented milk products, cereal cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits, especially beets, pumpkins, carrots, prunes, and other types of vegetables rich in vegetable fiber.
4. For the purpose of prevention, you can drink herbal decoctions containing anise, fennel or cumin in the evenings. In this case, you should carefully monitor the reaction of the baby and, in case of allergies, refuse such a drink.

It is not always possible to prevent constipation in the early postpartum period and during breastfeeding, however, following simple medical recommendations will reduce this likelihood.

Constipation during breastfeeding is a problem for many new mothers. You can cope with it with the help of proper nutrition, containing a large amount of coarse plant fibers, moderate physical activity, as well as drugs that are compatible with lactation.

Useful video about the nutrition of a nursing mother

The occurrence of constipation in women in the postpartum period is a fairly common situation that causes significant discomfort. The causes of this condition are very diverse, and the consequences of the disease during breastfeeding can be very serious. Therefore, young mothers need to know how to alleviate the symptoms of pathology and avoid unpleasant complications.

How to recognize constipation during lactation, the causes of the disease

Recognizing constipation after childbirth is quite simple. This disease is characterized by problems with bowel movements for three days or longer. The act of emptying the intestines may be completely absent or be very painful or difficult due to excessively dry and hard stools. In many situations, a woman begins to suffer from constipation during pregnancy. Someone is faced with this disease only in the later stages, while others are haunted by the problem from the very beginning of bearing a child.

To effectively combat this unpleasant pathology, you first need to understand what caused it. The causes of constipation after childbirth can be both physiological and psychological. These may include:

• individual characteristics of the female body and congenital predisposition to constipation;
• changes in the balance of hormones in the body caused by childbearing and childbirth;
• rectal injuries received during childbirth;
• loss of perineal muscle tone as a result of childbearing and childbirth;
• improperly formed diet during breastfeeding (the presence of excessively spicy, fatty, sweet or salty foods in the menu of a young mother);
• insufficient fluid intake (less than two liters per day);
• insufficiently active lifestyle (mommy moves too little);
• feeling of stress, depression and depression after childbirth.

Types of constipation and their manifestations

Constipation is traditionally classified into atonic and spastic.

Spasmodic constipation

Spastic constipation appears, as a rule, due to the presence of psychological causes. For this type of violation, the following manifestations are characteristic:

• difficulties in peristalsis, provoked by increased intestinal tone;
• the formation of the so-called sheep feces (stool too tightly compressed with small peas);
• possible pain in the left side of the abdomen, bouts of nausea and flatulence, decreased appetite, feeling tired and nervous.

For the treatment of spastic postpartum constipation, nursing mothers need to properly build a daily routine, find an opportunity to sleep off, relax and be sure to allocate time for rest. In addition, an important factor is the proper organization of the diet:

• eat at the same time, and not snack on the run;
• drink more fluids;
• when compiling your menu, consider which products are recommended and which, on the contrary, are prohibited for use with constipation.

Atonic constipation

In contrast to spastic, with atonic constipation, the muscular walls of the intestine have a reduced tone. This leads to lethargy and slow peristalsis. The causes of this type of violation are already physiological in nature. Atonic constipation is a common occurrence after a caesarean section, taking various medications, as well as with malnutrition. For pathology, the following manifestations are characteristic:

• pain during defecation;
• excessively bulky feces;
• aching and pulling pains in the peritoneum;
• feeling of fullness in the intestines;
• bouts of nausea;
• flatulence;
• apathy;
• loss of appetite.

Atonic constipation can even provoke ruptures of the rectum and mucous membranes of the anus, which leads to the appearance of traces of blood on the feces. For the treatment of this type of disorder, home and folk recipes will not be effective. In this situation, the key to healing will be an immediate appeal to a professional doctor.

In most situations, postpartum constipation does not require specialized treatment and resolves after a few weeks with a balanced diet and a fairly active lifestyle. In any case, if you find it difficult to independently determine the nature and causes of the ailment, contacting a doctor will help you find the right way out of the situation. The doctor will prescribe a suitable diet and, if necessary, select medications that are effective and safe for lactation.
After giving birth, a woman may experience constipation.

Medications for constipation

Regular constipation in the postpartum period, if special measures are not taken to eliminate them, can also lead to such an unpleasant complication as hemorrhoids. That is why it is important not to wait until the disease goes away on its own, but to make active efforts to get rid of it as soon as possible and enter into an active and habitual rhythm of life.

Folk remedies for breastfeeding

Traditional medicine suggests using various medicinal plants to get rid of constipation, but some of them can provoke allergic reactions. When using pharmaceutical herbs, you must carefully read the instructions. In addition to the ban on use in case of individual intolerance, many medicinal plants have quite serious lists of contraindications. It is important to remember that the use of the following recipes is allowed for the period of breastfeeding, but is unacceptable during the period of bearing a child.

In some cases, ingestion of herbal infusions can adversely affect the taste of breast milk, so even before using folk remedies, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The timing of the use of the drug may vary depending on the severity of the course of the disease. During the period of exacerbation, it is necessary to use alternative recipes until relief occurs, and in the remission stage, it may take up to several weeks to cure. However, such recommendations can be called standard, but in fact it is almost impossible to find positive reviews on the network about getting rid of constipation exclusively by folk remedies. The vast majority of nursing mothers prefer to use pharmaceuticals prescribed by doctors, as well as adjust their diet.

In addition, you need to remember that traditional medicine recipes, of course, are based on exclusively natural ingredients, but the treatment of constipation with their help will not always be faster and more effective than with the use of medical products. The fact is that when using plants, it is impossible to accurately predict the strength of the effect of active components on the intestines, and this can not only aggravate the situation, but even lead to the opposite result in the form of diarrhea. That is why it is still recommended to carry out therapy under the supervision of a medical specialist and not engage in self-medication exclusively. Both folk and medical remedies should be used without excessive fanaticism. This is the only way to overcome the disease as soon as possible and return to a normal lifestyle. After treatment, it is important to regularly engage in prevention so that the disease does not return.

Table: traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of spastic constipation

Folk remedies for the treatment of atonic constipation

For the treatment of atonic constipation, herbal medicinal preparations are used.

Table: traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of atonic constipation

Medications

Modern medicine offers a fairly wide range of drugs for the treatment of constipation during lactation. The remedies that the doctor prescribes for nursing women are selected in such a way as to make the mother’s situation as easy as possible and at the same time not harm the nursing baby. If the disease is not very advanced, it is quite possible to cure it with conservative methods (suppositories and ointments) and not resort to surgical interventions. You should not be afraid of surgical actions either, since the timely assistance of a doctor will not only alleviate the current condition of the patient, but also help to avoid complications in the future.

In special cases, after a caesarean section, the use of enemas is allowed, but it is often not recommended to practice this method, since it helps to wash out beneficial microflora from the intestines, which can complicate the course of the disease.

Table: medicines used to treat breastfeeding mothers

Medications: photo gallery

Lactulose is an effective and safe laxative for all ages Normaze is a laxative that stimulates intestinal motility Glycerin suppositories have a laxative effect and gradually relieve constipation Phytomucil restores regular stools, helps with constipation
Duphalac has a stimulating effect on intestinal motility and has a laxative effect. Microclyster helps to effectively fight constipation.

Reviews about the treatment with pharmaceutical preparations

Reviews on the network about the use of medications to cure constipation indicate that nothing is impossible, you just need to make efforts in a certain direction.

After childbirth, problems such as hemorrhoids and constipation arose. The first I almost cured, but the second problem could provoke the first again. When breastfeeding, many drugs are prohibited, so I was looking for something natural and harmless to the baby. At first I tried Duphalac, but it constantly seethed and rumbled in the intestines. Then I learned about Phytomucil, it is natural and suitable for nursing mothers.

http://otzovik.com/review_2747219.html

I first heard about microclysters "Mikrolaks" from my friend. I remember how, a few days after the birth, she called me and cried out loud, complaining neither about the stitches after the episiotomy, nor about the nipples gnawed into blood - she could not go to the toilet. And how literally a few hours later she told me about a wonderful remedy for solving such a delicate problem. From her words, I realized that microclysters are allowed during feeding and can even be given to infants.

Yagoza

http://otzovik.com/review_844736.html

During treatment, it is necessary to take into account recommendations on the peculiarities of taking medications used to get rid of constipation during lactation. It is important to remember that in each case, the safety of use, dosage and duration of therapy should be determined by a qualified specialist.

Products that can help

A great way to get rid of constipation and prevent the development of hemorrhoids and other unpleasant complications is a special diet.

• any vegetable oils;
• bakery products made from whole grain wholemeal flour;
• bran (except wheat) and muesli rich in fiber;
• oatmeal on the water;
• boiled beets (in grated and any other form);
• fruits;
• steamed vegetables;
• fermented milk products, for example, kefir before bedtime.

For constipation, it is forbidden to use the following types of products:

• excessively spicy, fatty, salty or sweet foods;
• fried foods;
• White bread;
• sweet muffin;
• strong tea and coffee;
• legumes;
• blueberries, quince, pears, strawberries, currants;
• walnuts;
• hard fatty cheeses;
• polished rice;
• slimy soups.

Particular attention with constipation should be given to the drinking regimen. A sufficient amount of liquid will help soften the stool and provide them with the necessary volume for a painless bowel movement.

A person needs about one and a half to two liters of clean water per day, the first half a glass of which should be drunk on an empty stomach, just waking up.

In addition, it is useful to introduce compotes from dried fruits, sour-milk products and decoctions of prunes and gooseberries into the diet. It is not recommended to consume whole milk, as well as sweet carbonated drinks. Even mineral waters are better to drink, after releasing gas from them.

With constipation, it is necessary to take food little by little several times a day at regular intervals (2-3 hours). Portions should be small, in no case should you overeat. These simple rules will help the gastrointestinal tract to establish regular work without overstrain.
The right diet will help get rid of constipation in the shortest possible time.

Separately, it is worth noting the benefits of eating bran to combat constipation. Coarse grain shell, vitamins and slow carbohydrates, getting into the mother's body, contribute to the restoration of normal bowel function. Bran can be added to familiar dishes, for example, oatmeal or fermented milk products, without exceeding the daily dose - 20–25 g.

A healthy diet, combined with the use of medicines recommended by a doctor, as well as hygiene and an active lifestyle, will help to cope with constipation in the shortest possible time or prevent their occurrence at all.

Recipes

The diet of a nursing mother with constipation should be tasty and varied.

Pumpkin porridge with apples and prunes

To make porridge, you will need the following ingredients:

Cooking:

1. Cut the pumpkin into cubes and put on a small fire for 20 minutes.
2. Cut apples into large slices, adding also prunes to the pumpkin. Cook another 15 minutes. You can use oatmeal if you like.

Apple and oatmeal smoothie

A sweet drink will help restore normal bowel function.