What to do if a nursing mother has diarrhea. Diarrhea in mother while breastfeeding

Throughout the period of breastfeeding, mothers are advised to eat right, refuse alcoholic beverages and take medications. But it happens that the last point is impossible to fulfill, because in the cold season it is really possible to get sick, having cooled slightly, and in the summer an infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract is raging. In such situations, diarrhea in a woman is the first sign of an intestinal disorder. But how to treat diarrhea in a mother during lactation and is it worth stopping breastfeeding?

Table of contents:

Reasons for diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder. There are several reasons that cause a violation of the stool:

  1. Acute intestinal infection.
  2. food allergy.
  3. Food poisoning.
  4. Irritable bowel syndrome.
  5. Dysbiosis.

irritable bowel syndrome

Pathology in which there is a functional disorder in the work of all parts of the intestine. The main symptoms are abdominal pain and cramps, alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloating and flatulence. All these signs can persist for a long time, several weeks, months or years.

The causes of TFR can be inflammation of any lower gastrointestinal tract, various infections, poisoning, side effects of medications (antibiotics, drugs for diabetes, and others), helicobacter pylori, diseases of the biliary tract, malnutrition and malnutrition, addiction to alcoholic beverages.

Allergic reaction to food

A pathological condition in which there is an increased sensitivity of the body to a certain food product, associated with a disorder of the immune defense.

There are two concepts "food allergy" and "food intolerance". But how to distinguish one from the other? The thing is that with intolerance there are no changes in the lymphoid system, and the causes of development are various accompanying diseases of the digestive tract, endocrine and nervous systems. In addition, allergies persist throughout a person's life, and intolerance can disappear after the elimination of the causes that caused it. With allergies, the amount of food eaten does not matter, the reaction occurs even when using the minimum dose of the allergen.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction directly depend on the severity of the disease. The most serious and severe, even fatal, expression is the appearance of anaphylactic shock. Other symptoms are less dangerous, but also not harmless to the body: either diarrhea or constipation, colic and spasms in the intestines, nausea and vomiting, skin rashes, migraines and headaches, decreased or lack of appetite.

The most allergenic foods include: fish and all seafood, nuts and peanuts, eggs, dairy products, bright vegetables and fruits (peppers, apples, carrots, beets), cereals (oats, wheat).

Food poisoning

Appears as a result of eating poor-quality or poisonous foods. Unusable food becomes in violation of the conditions of its storage, transportation or processing. When dangerous microbes get on food, the appearance and taste of the product does not change. The danger of breastfeeding at this point is that there is a risk of infecting the baby with microorganisms such as salmonella and botulinum bacillus. To avoid this, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs of poisoning and find out the degree of the disease.

To recognize poisoning, you need to know its symptoms: nausea and vomiting, severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea. In severe cases, body temperature rises to 39.5 degrees, signs of general intoxication of the body are observed, pressure drops, tachycardia, cramps may appear in the muscles of the lower third of the leg.

In this case, only the doctor decides whether to breastfeed the baby or not, but most likely, he will ask you to refrain from breastfeeding for the duration of the treatment.

Intestinal infection

This is a group of diseases that are characterized by a disorder of the digestive system and symptoms of general intoxication. The causes of diseases are various viruses, bacteria and their waste products (toxins). The clinical picture can differ significantly when the gastrointestinal tract is affected by one or another pathogen, as well as from the severity.

It is most likely to become infected during the summer. Thirst sometimes catches at the wrong time and people are ready to drink raw water from a tap or underground sources. Also, fruits and vegetables are washed with the same water, or not washed at all. In hot weather, meat, dairy products and fish spoil quickly. Infection from insects that carry pathogens on their paws is not ruled out.

In intestinal infections, some bacteria are able to enter the bloodstream, i.e. theoretically can infect a child. The decision to stop breastfeeding is made by the doctor based on the results of the tests.

Dysbiosis

A pathological condition in which there is an imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial microbes in the intestine. It can occur almost immediately after childbirth, with malnutrition, after treatment of intestinal coli infections, diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, enterocolitis and others), decreased immunity. It is possible to establish a diagnosis by passing feces for dysbacteriosis.

Dysbiosis can manifest with the following symptoms: nausea, heartburn, belching, alternating diarrhea and constipation, bad taste or odor from the mouth, soreness in the abdominal cavity, food allergies.

If you do not resort to treatment, the disease will begin to progress and cause inflammation in the intestines. With a long course of dysbacteriosis, there is a violation of the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, fats and other components, which leads to anemia and weight loss.

Breastfeeding is not contraindicated in dysbiosis, as bacteria live and multiply directly in the intestine.

Should you give up breastfeeding?

Diarrhea that occurs during breastfeeding is an unpleasant ailment. It causes dehydration of the body and, as a result, a woman feels unwell. Many mothers are concerned that bacteria or chemicals, along with breast milk, will enter the baby's body and cause the same disease in him. But it is worth paying attention to the fact that during any disease, antibodies are produced in the body and it is their crumb that receives during breastfeeding. That is why pediatricians do not prohibit, but, on the contrary, welcome breastfeeding.

But there are times when vomiting and high fever join the diarrhea. The reason for this are dangerous viruses and bacteria. You should immediately inform your doctor about this, who may advise you to temporarily stop breastfeeding due to taking serious drugs.

Treatment for diarrhea

During diarrhea during breastfeeding, the mother has a question: “How to treat diarrhea so as not to harm the baby?” It should be remembered that in no case should you self-medicate, the first step in the therapeutic measures of diarrhea should be a trip to the doctor. If the test results show that there is no infection and there is no need to take antibiotics, Activated charcoal or Enterosgel will most likely be prescribed. These drugs are 100% harmless for both mom and baby. Their goal is to accumulate and remove toxic substances from the body. At the same time, medicines do not penetrate into breast milk, since they are not able to be absorbed into the blood.

There are other drugs that are allowed for nursing mothers:

  • Sorbex;
  • Lactofiltrum;
  • Atoxil.

Remedies made on the basis of apple extract (pectin) will help to cope with diarrhea perfectly.

Mom's diet for stool disorder

Dieting involves eating foods that help reduce intestinal motility, as well as rich in vitamins and other nutrients that increase breast milk production.

During the treatment of diarrhea, the following foods should be temporarily excluded from the diet:

  • fresh fruits and vegetables;
  • bakery products;
  • sweet, spicy, spicy and fatty;
  • various juices;
  • dairy and dairy products.

You should eat foods that have been previously thermally processed: boiled, baked and steamed. This will minimize the load on the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Meat and solid foods are best chopped with a blender or finely chopped. As the mother recovers, the mother's diet can be gradually expanded.

Folk proven means

In the absence of allergic reactions in mother and child, the following recipes can be used:

  • rice water;
  • decoction of oak bark;
  • bird cherry in any form;
  • pomegranate peels brewed with boiling water.

A nursing woman should be more attentive to her health, despite all the worries associated with caring for a baby. Diarrhea in a nursing mother can cause much more complications and troubles than in an ordinary person. A doctor should help in such a situation. Only a medical specialist can give correct recommendations for the treatment of this condition, given the fact that a woman needs to breastfeed her baby. This is a fundamental point that is important to remember and not to self-medicate!

Possible causes of diarrhea while breastfeeding

Diarrhea in a mother of a baby can be for the following reasons:

1. Food poisoning

Poisoning from poor-quality stale food is the most common cause of diarrhea in a nursing woman. Despite all the recommendations on proper nutrition and strict selection of products, a nursing mother may eat something that is not right. The symptoms of the condition are as follows:

  • Vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Nausea.
  • Belching "rotten egg".
  • General weakness.
  • Increase in body temperature.

2. Irritable bowel syndrome

A fairly common condition in women during breastfeeding. The condition is unpleasant, but not dangerous and does not require the termination of HB. Symptoms:

  • Diarrhea without vomiting and fever.
  • At night, diarrhea does not bother, so the muscles are in a relaxed state.

3. Allergic reactions

Diarrhea is often a symptom of a food allergy. In addition to this condition, the patient should note some other changes in the body - rash, itching, redness on the skin.

4. Foods that cause diarrhea when consumed in excess

Not always the cause of diarrhea is a disease.

Sometimes a mother can abuse products that have a laxative effect.

This is the mildest case and requires little symptomatic treatment.

Often no medication is needed at all.

List of laxative products that should not be abused:

  • Plum and prunes.
  • Beet.
  • Fresh kefir.
  • Kiwi.
  • Foods rich in fiber (bran, fresh vegetables and fruits).

5. Infectious disease

Infection is also a fairly common cause of diarrhea in breastfeeding mothers. The entry of pathogenic bacteria into the body most often occurs due to violations of hygiene rules. Unwashed hands, untreated fruits and vegetables, meat and milk from private producers without certification - all this can cause an acute intestinal infection. The condition is quite dangerous, requiring complex treatment and hospitalization.

6. Rotavirus or "intestinal flu"

The disease is quite common in the modern world. Viruses are very tenacious, they easily tolerate both chlorinated water and low temperatures. Infection is most likely during the cold season. For prevention, you need to follow the rules of personal hygiene and visit less crowded places, especially in clinics and playgrounds, since children are most often susceptible to rotavirus disease.
Symptoms may be as follows:

  • The temperature is above 38 degrees (often it may be absent).
  • Diarrhea with a strong offensive odor and mucus.
  • Vomiting and nausea.
  • Weakness, fatigue, drowsiness.

What is dangerous diarrhea with HB

Diarrhea while breastfeeding can lead to dehydration in a woman. Lack of fluid negatively affects lactation, reducing the amount of breast milk.

If we are talking about antibiotic treatment, then HB will have to be temporarily stopped. If mom does not take measures to preserve milk, then breastfeeding may have to be forgotten, as lactation will stop.

If the rules of hygiene are not observed, the mother can infect the child with an intestinal infection. It must be remembered that such diseases in infants are more difficult than in adults, so you need to be extremely careful and be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.

There are situations when diarrhea leads to death of a person. Death occurs as a result of severe dehydration and exposure to toxins in the body. Today, these cases are more the exception than the norm, but this is another reason to take this condition seriously.

We can talk about real danger only in the case of acute conditions, when there is no way to get medical help. In all other cases, diarrhea is a very unpleasant phenomenon, but does not pose a danger to the life of a woman and a child.

Can I Breastfeed During Diarrhea?

Not always diarrhea during breastfeeding is an obstacle to breastfeeding. Often the condition is tolerated relatively easily and does not require treatment with serious drugs that are not compatible with feeding the child.

For example, with an allergic reaction, a symptom of which is diarrhea, it is enough to remove an unwanted product from the diet, and the condition will go away by itself. GV in this case, stop is not necessary.

The situation is similar with irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, the doctor prescribes drugs from the group of relaxants that do not affect breast milk. Breastfeeding will be absolutely safe for the baby.

However, there are times when GW will have to be temporarily interrupted. Such a measure is necessary in cases of acute intestinal infections, severe food poisoning, rotavirus infections. In this case, the treatment will be serious with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. As you know, such drugs are mostly incompatible with breastfeeding the baby.

Often, intestinal infections or poisoning are mild and do not require the use of drugs incompatible with hepatitis B. In this case, you should not refuse breastfeeding, but personal hygiene is very important.

Breastfeeding with diarrhea in the mother requires careful adherence to hygiene rules. Washing your hands with soap after every visit to the toilet is a must!

Experts insist that the mother continue to breastfeed her baby during infections or viral diseases. A baby with breast milk receives the necessary antibodies that develop in him protection against the disease. Therefore, if mommy does not take serious medications, then it is not only possible, but necessary, to save breastfeeding!

First aid for diarrhea on GV

Before the doctor arrives, you can drink a few tablets of activated charcoal. It is good to use more modern sorbents, such as Smecta, Polysorb and other drugs from this segment. These medicines will not harm the baby because they do not pass into breast milk.

Important: A remedy for diarrhea should be prescribed by a doctor! Often a mother does not have the opportunity to visit a doctor due to the fact that there is no one to leave her baby with. In this case, you need to call a specialist at home

Be sure to eat well, giving preference to products with a fixing effect (rice, dry bread, hard-boiled eggs). Food is necessary not only to maintain the strength of a sick mother, but also for sufficient production of breast milk. The diet for diarrhea is rather poor, as it is necessary to follow a sparing diet. You can not eat fatty, spicy, salty, fresh vegetables and fruits, sweets. It is better to give preference to light food - vegetable soups, cereals without butter, dried bread, dairy products with bifidobacteria.


With diarrhea, it is important to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. To do this, you need to drink at least two liters of water per day, and also use solutions to restore water and electrolyte balance (for example, Regidron).

How to treat diarrhea in a nursing mother with folk remedies

What to do if the necessary medicines are not at hand and it is not possible to get them in the near future? In this case, with diarrhea, proven folk remedies can help. They are not only effective, but also do not pose a danger to GV. After breast milk, the baby will receive only useful antibodies developed by the mother, and not a "bouquet" of chemistry that is harmful to the child's body.

Recognized remedies for diarrhea are:

  • A decoction of oak bark (200 ml of boiling water per 1 tablespoon).
  • A decoction of bird cherry berries (250 ml of boiling water for 2 tablespoons of dried berries).
  • Peppermint infusion.
  • Thick jelly on starch.
  • Pomegranate and decoction of pomegranate peels.
  • Rice broth.

We must remember that you should not abuse these drugs too much, like any other medicine for diarrhea. There is always a risk of getting constipated.

Diarrhea in a nursing woman is an extremely unpleasant condition, but there is no need to worry and immediately stop breastfeeding. A qualified doctor should help to understand the symptoms and prescribe adequate treatment. Only under this condition, the disease will pass quickly and without a trace.

After the birth of a child, mothers need to constantly monitor their health. But all her attention during this period is focused on the baby. Often there is such a problem as diarrhea during lactation. How to treat diarrhea while breastfeeding? Is it possible to feed the child at the same time? Indigestion during lactation can lead to various complications.

Causes of indigestion in a nursing mother

Irritable bowel syndrome leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. This disease is characterized by the absence of vomiting. A pregnant woman does not suffer from bouts of diarrhea at night. However, after waking up, the symptoms of diarrhea return.

Food poisoning can be harmful. After eating a spoiled product, a large amount of microbial toxins enter the digestive system, they lead to diarrhea. The woman begins to complain of vomiting, nausea and fever.

Diarrhea can also occur as an allergic reaction of a nursing mother to certain food components.

Diarrhea is also called the disease of dirty hands. The infection easily enters the digestive system along with food. In this case, toxic substances are released that disrupt the intestinal microflora.

Symptoms

Symptoms of diarrhea include:

  • frequent urge to defecate;
  • sudden rise in temperature;
  • a nursing mother develops vomiting and nausea;
  • women complain of headache and rumbling in the stomach;
  • there is a feeling of fatigue, drowsiness.

The disease can progress with complications. A woman may develop more serious disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of:

  • black chair;
  • in the feces there are blotches of a greenish tint;
  • the woman faints;
  • diarrhea does not go away for too long;
  • high temperature does not subside.

In this case, diarrhea in a nursing mother requires immediate treatment. You need to see a doctor urgently.

Is diarrhea dangerous for babies during lactation?

If you follow the rules of hygiene, then there is nothing to worry about.

Diarrhea during breastfeeding is more dangerous for the mother, as her body suffers from dehydration. Every trip to the toilet leads to the loss of trace elements and vitamins necessary for life.

Breastfeeding should be stopped if the temperature rises and the health of the mother worsens. In this case, at the time of treatment, it is necessary to switch to infant formula.

Diarrhea can be the result of severe stress. After childbirth, many women experience nervous tension. While breastfeeding, the mother must remain calm. However, not everyone can cope with fatigue and anxiety.

How to treat diarrhea in a nursing mother who is constantly afraid because of the condition of the baby?

There are many drugs that can restore the shaken nervous system. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking them.

If there is an infection, doctors prescribe. The decision to stop feeding is made depending on the specific situation.

You can eliminate the effects of diarrhea in a nursing mother with the help of Atoxil or Sorbex. They are completely safe not only for the mother, but also for her child.

Atoxil- a powder that is pre-dissolved in water. It is necessary to take the medicine about an hour before meals.

Allows you to restore electrolytes lost with diarrhea and normalize the acid-base balance.

Smecta- helps with intoxication of the body. bind various bacteria and toxins. Substances that irritate the digestive system are excreted naturally.

Sorbents help get rid of diarrhea. Among them are Filtrum. Taking these drugs does not irritate the intestinal mucosa. Side effects are practically absent.

Thanks to sorbents, you can quickly get rid of toxins that have entered the body of a nursing mother.

The baby can catch the infection if the mother is not clean. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of hands, dishes and clothes.

Diarrhea in a nursing mother may appear after malnutrition. It is provoked by fatty dishes with a lot of spices. Treatment of diarrhea in this case is to adjust the diet.

During diarrhea, you need to drink about 3 liters of fluid per day or more, in small portions after each visit to the toilet. This will help you stay hydrated.

Diagnostics

The following methods are used to determine the causes of diarrhea:

  1. To begin with, a doctor should examine a woman.
  2. The patient must donate blood for research.
  3. The urine and feces of a nursing mother are analyzed.
  4. Ultrasound helps to determine the cause of the disease.
  5. A bacteriological examination of feces, its sowing, and the detection of worm eggs are prescribed.

After receiving all the results, the doctors determine the treatment regimen.

Folk remedies

To help a nursing mother get rid of diarrhea, you can use the following recipes:

oak decoction contributes to the elimination of inflammatory processes in the intestines. To prepare the remedy, we need 1 tablespoon of bark and 300 ml of water. The broth should boil for 10 minutes. Take the finished solution should be 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

Envelops the intestinal mucosa. Thus, it protects it from irritating substances. Pour 2 tablespoons of rice into 500 ml of boiling water. It is advisable to rinse rice groats before use. Means to cook on low heat for about 40 minutes.

Cool the finished broth and strain with gauze. In order for the remedy to have a therapeutic effect on the body, it must be drunk in a quarter cup every 2-3 hours.

In pomegranate peels contains substances that destroy pathogenic microorganisms. And this is one of the causes of diarrhea. must first be crushed and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave the decoction for about 30 minutes. A glass should be drunk before meals.

Bird cherry berries can cope with an infection that has entered the digestive system. Pour a tablespoon of fresh berries with a glass of boiling water. For the solution to infuse, you will have to wait about 30 minutes. The decoction should be drunk 3 times a day, 100 grams at a time.

Eliminate from your diet:

  1. Dairy products, and especially fatty ones, which activate the intestines;
  2. Various fruits, as they contain a lot of fiber;
  3. Vegetables and herbs that stimulate the activity of the digestive system.
  4. Carbonated drinks;
  5. Salty, spicy and fatty foods;

With diarrhea, you can eat:

  • dishes made from cereals;
  • boiled meat;
  • low-fat varieties of fish;

Drying and crackers will help you quickly cope with the symptoms of diarrhea.
A breastfeeding mother should drink approximately 3 liters of fluid. This is twice the normal rate. Water is needed to produce enough milk.

In addition to water, you can drink decoctions of rice and chamomile. You need to eat even if you don't have an appetite.

How to avoid diarrhea while breastfeeding

A nursing mother must adhere to several rules:

  1. When buying products, check the expiration dates.
  2. Keep your hands clean. Do not eat dirty vegetables and fruits.
  3. Stress can trigger indigestion. It is in your interest to maintain emotional balance.
  4. Meat, fish and eggs must undergo a complete and sufficient heat treatment.

After childbirth, a nursing mother may have diarrhea, although during this period she rarely takes care of herself, because her thoughts are devoted to the baby. There are various reasons for the appearance of loose stools, and only an experienced doctor can accurately identify the correct cause. Therefore, if diarrhea occurs, immediately rush to the doctor, otherwise you can harm not only yourself, but also the baby. For a nursing woman, diarrhea is a serious pathology, since her condition instantly affects the child's well-being. To avoid trouble, it is necessary to strictly observe the correct diet, constantly reminding yourself that the baby's tummy is unable to adequately perceive all the food consumed by the mother, which is why it is often disturbed by colic.

Sometimes lactating women are initially tormented by constipation, then it is replaced by diarrhea. If a similar symptom occurs due to a nervous breakdown, it passes quite quickly, without causing any pain. Mom's intestines are irritated, she is constantly drawn to visit the toilet. A dangerous situation is when loose stools provoke poisoning or an infectious disease. In such a clinical situation, the protective functions of the immune system are sharply reduced, toxic substances accumulate in the female blood, after which her state of health deteriorates sharply.

The reasons

Consideration should be given to the most common provocateurs that cause female diarrhea at a time when she is feeding her baby to her mother:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome. Such a pathology of the functioning of the intestine is provoked by stress, nervous disorders, and strong feelings. It helps to distinguish such a syndrome from poisoning by the fact that with it there is no temperature, blood in the feces and vomiting. Another characteristic feature is that such diarrhea does not disturb a nursing mother at night. During sleep, her muscles relax, so the diarrhea calms down. But when you wake up, it often reappears. Such a pathology is treated with sedatives and muscle relaxants that do not require stopping breastfeeding.
  • Food poisoning. A nursing mother needs to be careful about her diet, since the danger of food poisoning lies in the possibility of passing it on to her child. Poor-quality products disrupt the activity of the intestines, dysbacteriosis begins, the temperature rises, and vomiting occurs. Treatment is required immediately. The doctor will select harmless drugs and adjust the diet so as not to interrupt breastfeeding.
    Allergic reaction. Sometimes food allergies cause diarrhea. You should immediately stop the use of products that are dangerous in this regard, causing a similar reaction.
  • Intestinal infection. If the mother does not follow the rules of hygiene, pathogenic bacteria penetrate into her body. Propagating inside, they release toxins that poison the body, as well as depress the beneficial intestinal microflora. If the doctor prescribes treatment, then there is no need to interrupt breastfeeding, but washing your hands more often so that the baby does not become infected is required.

Danger of diarrhea

Breastfeeding mother has diarrhea - for her diarrhea is more dangerous than for a baby. The danger of this condition lies in the possibility of infection of the child. Diarrhea, although dangerous for a woman, does not require stopping breastfeeding. Infections are not transmitted through milk - unwashed hands become the source of their transmission. With food poisoning, you do not need to stop breastfeeding, because although the child receives some toxins, maternal antibodies also come with them, saving him from infection.

But in a situation with a viral infection, when the mother's condition deteriorates sharply, the doctor often recommends stopping breastfeeding for a while, although he does not advise immediately transferring the baby to mixtures. When a mother is worried about diarrhea, she eats poorly, experiences stress, insomnia appears, and the amount of milk secreted decreases. The maximum danger from diarrhea is dehydration of the body, which loses not only water, but also trace elements with vitamins.

When diarrhea occurs infrequently, it is not harmful to the body, but in case of chronic pathology, you should visit a doctor to start treatment. Liquid deficiency should be stopped immediately. Even with a loss of 10% of the fluid, serious health disorders begin. If diarrhea is accompanied by bleeding, the woman is immediately hospitalized. The presence of "black stool" is a clear symptom of intestinal bleeding. You cannot stop it on your own, because without the help of a doctor this will not work.

With abundant, as well as prolonged diarrhea (3 days or more), a nursing woman can develop a state of shock, the symptoms of which are dizziness, cold sweat, severe weakness and rapid pulse. It is urgent to call for emergency assistance.

Breastfeeding mother has diarrhea, treatment

Therapy is prescribed by the doctor only after establishing the exact cause of the pathology. When there is an intestinal infection, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with. They should not be abandoned, even if you have to stop breastfeeding. Sometimes the body is not able to fight some infections on its own. Interruption of feeding is necessary if, without treatment, the safety of the mother and her child is at risk.

In case of an intestinal infection or poisoning, the doctor will prescribe sorbents (Sorbeks, Atoxil, activated charcoal). They do not harm the health of the mother and baby, as they bind toxins, helping them to leave the body. Powder preparations must be dissolved in water, using them an hour before a meal. To compensate for the lack of liquid, you need to drink a lot, the doses should be higher than under normal conditions. When a woman drinks about 2 liters of fluid daily, then with diarrhea this volume should be increased by one and a half times. You can drink not only clean water, but also non-carbonated mineral water, unsweetened black tea, eat low-fat chicken broths.

Often a doctor prescribes a remedy for a nursing woman Regidron, which helps reduce fluid loss. This drug restores the acid-base balance and prevents the loss of electrolytes. The contents of the sachet are dissolved in a liter of slightly warmed water, then the liquid is thoroughly mixed and drunk all day in small portions.

Diet

With diarrhea in a woman during lactation, she needs to follow a special diet, which is more strict than under normal conditions. Completely excluded:

  • fried foods;
  • carbonated drinks;
  • salty and spicy seasonings.

Until the complete cessation of diarrhea, they forget about dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables. Allowed to use:

  • cereals;
  • lean fish and the same boiled meat;
  • baked vegetables;
  • sweets are replaced with lean crackers or drying.

If diarrhea occurs in a nursing mother, her appetite disappears, although a woman needs to eat so that milk does not disappear, she still has the strength to take care of the baby.

After the birth of a child, a mother has many new worries. Directing all her efforts to ensure that the baby grows up healthy, the mother sometimes does not have the opportunity at all to devote time to her own health. Women often experience diarrhea after childbirth. Its causes can be various factors, the establishment of which is best left to the doctor.Treating diarrhea on your own is dangerous to the health of both mom and baby. Moreover, not all the usual methods of dealing with it are suitable for lactating women.

Causes of diarrhea in breastfeeding mothers

Among the various reasons that can provoke diarrhea in a nursing mother, there are four most common:

  • food poisoning;
  • allergic reaction;
  • intestinal infection.

In the case of irritable bowel syndrome, functional disorders in the work of the intestine are caused by stress, nervous breakdowns, strong emotional upheavals and experiences. All this is abundantly present in the life of a new mother.

Irritable bowel syndrome occurs mainly during the daytime.

In order not to confuse irritable bowel syndrome with poisoning, you should know its main signs:

  • lack of vomiting;
  • feces without blood;
  • body temperature does not rise.

Another sign that is characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome is that diarrhea does not bother mothers at night. During sleep, the muscles are relaxed, and therefore the diarrhea goes away, but after waking up it comes back. You can cope with the problem with the help of muscle relaxants or resorting to sedatives. Any of these methods do not require interruption of breastfeeding.

A woman who is breastfeeding needs to be more careful than usual about what she eats, since food poisoning is not only dangerous for her, but can harm the baby as well. Toxins that are released by bacteria that enter the body along with stale or spoiled foods disrupt the functioning of the intestines, leading to dysbacteriosis, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes fever (we recommend reading:). During treatment, the doctor prescribes a special diet and selects drugs that do not require refusal to breastfeed.

In some cases, diarrhea may well be the result of a food allergy. If it arose as a result of the body's reaction to a particular product, it should be deleted from the menu.

With a negligent attitude to the rules of hygiene, for example, dirty hands or unwashed fruits, vegetables, berries, pathogenic bacteria can easily enter the body. In the intestines, they multiply and release toxins that disrupt its microflora and poison the body. To keep your baby safe, always wash your hands.



The easiest way to protect yourself from intestinal infections is to wash your hands

What is the main threat of diarrhea during breastfeeding?

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This article talks about typical ways to solve your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know how to solve your particular problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!

Most mothers believe that the main danger of diarrhea is associated with the possibility of infecting the child, which means that there is a need to interrupt breastfeeding. However, modern medicine tends to a different point of view. Experts say that diarrhea is much more dangerous for the health of a nursing mother than for a child.

If diarrhea was provoked by an intestinal infection, you can continue to breastfeed your baby, as it is transmitted through dirty hands, and not through breast milk. With food poisoning, you should also not interrupt breastfeeding, because along with a small amount of toxins, the baby receives mom's antibodies to the infection. Breastfeeding may be recommended by a doctor in case of a viral infection that occurs with a significant deterioration in the mother's condition. However, even with a virus, these are short-term measures that do not require a complete transition to mixtures.

Among the real dangers that diarrhea carries:

  1. Dehydration. The consequence of diarrhea is the loss of the body not only water resources, but also vitamins and minerals necessary for the stable functioning of the body.
  2. Violation of lactation. Stress, poor sleep, and eating with diarrhea can lead to a reduction in milk supply.
  3. Weakness. The body loses a lot of strength during diarrhea, which leads to the mother's inability to fully take care of her baby.

Chronic diarrhea and bloody bowel movements

Unlike short-term and not abundant diarrhea, long-term and severe, turning into chronic, is dangerous and requires specific treatment. What should a nursing woman do in this situation? The main task is to stop the loss of fluid by the body. If the loss has reached 10%, it is fraught with exhaustion, lethargy and other serious disorders, 25% is already leading to death. Also, profuse diarrhea that lasts more than three days can cause shock.

This condition can be identified by the following features:

  • cold sweat;
  • dizziness;
  • frequent pulse;
  • severe weakness.


Prolonged diarrhea may cause dizziness

One of the most dangerous forms of diarrhea, which cannot be managed without medical attention and hospitalization, is a bowel movement with blood, which in everyday life is called black stool. The presence of blood clots in the stool indicates bleeding in the intestines.

Methods for treating diarrhea during breastfeeding

Any treatment is prescribed by a doctor only after he diagnoses the cause of diarrhea. With an intestinal infection, the doctor may prescribe. At the time of their admission, breastfeeding will have to be abandoned. Of course, there are infections that the body is able to cope with on its own, but, alas, this does not apply to all infections. Whether to interrupt breastfeeding or not depends on the individual circumstances.

It is important for diarrhea to restore the amount of fluid that the body loses. To do this, you should drink as much as possible pure or mineral still water, unsweetened green tea and low-fat turkey broths.

An average person needs to drink about 2 liters of water per day, but for a nursing woman, this figure rises to 3 liters per day.



Regidron is used to restore the water-salt balance

To stop the loss of water in the body, experts often use Regidron. This medicine helps to normalize the acid-base balance and stops the loss of electrolytes. Powder from 1 sachet should be mixed with one liter of warm water and drunk several small sips at a time throughout the day.

In addition, in case of diarrhea, a nursing mother is advised to switch to an even more strict diet:

  • At the time of illness, you will have to remove from the diet: drinks with gas, spicy, salty and fried foods, dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits.
  • The menu remains: cereals, lean meat, boiled or steamed, dietary fish, baked vegetables, instead of sweets - drying and lean crackers, without additives.

At the beginning, the appetite may disappear, but it is necessary to eat to maintain strength and the required volume of breast milk.