What should breastfeeding mothers eat to keep babies from constipation?

What mothers eat to prevent constipation is a question that many young mothers wonder about and need meticulous answers. The following article will clarify the problem of constipation in infants and provide some useful tips for readers.

Signs of constipation

Exclusively breastfed babies often have loose or viscous stools, yellow in color, with white foam or white granules in the stool. Babies can go out several times a day but still gain normal weight and have no symptoms of colic. For infants who use formula milk, the stools are usually thicker and the number of bowel movements is less due to the difficulty of digesting the formula.

Children are constipated when they have less bowel movements (not going outside for more than 3 days), their stomach is full, their stools are often hard, and they need to force themselves to go outside. Constipation usually occurs when a baby is exclusively feeding on formula or at the onset of a weaning period. The mother will see that the baby's stool is dry, hard, and turns into a dark brown or green color. Your baby will find it harder to poop and often painful to walk.

However, mothers need to distinguish constipation from having less bowel movements due to the correct period of the physiological dilatation of the baby, which usually occurs about 2 - 3 months after birth. This is the process of increasing intestinal volume in children. For exclusively breastfed babies that can last 7-10 days without poop, formula-fed babies can last for 3-5 days without poop. Although not going outside for a long time, the baby's feces are still soft, even, color and no abnormal signs.

Persistent constipation has many negative effects on the health of children. Parents need to pay attention to promptly detect and bring their children to medical facilities.

Cause your child is constipated

The main cause of constipation in infants is often due to the baby suckling, not drinking enough milk, leading to dehydration.

Mode of nutrition of the mother: Children prone to frequent constipation mother load of hot spicy foods, indigestion or diet too much protein and less fiber.

Pathology in children: physical damage to the digestive tract, enlarged colon, hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung's disease or Myxoedeme's disease.

Effect of the drug: Medicines containing calcium carbonate, morphine ... can make it difficult for your baby to go to the toilet. In the case of the baby taking the mother's medicine, check with the doctor to determine the cause.

What do you eat to prevent constipation?

Drink a lot of water

Women who are breast-feeding have a higher water requirement than the average person. Dehydration can limit milk production as well as reduce energy in the mother's body. As a result, infants are also affected and lead to constipation .

Therefore, women in the period of young children should supplement the body with water regularly to avoid dehydration. Especially, each time breastfeeding is finished, mothers should supplement at least 1 glass of water to compensate for the loss of water in the body.

Mother can add more water to the body by drinking herbal tea, fruit juices, yogurt, fresh milk, all kinds of seed milk ... after birth.

To increase the ability of water absorption in the body, mothers should increase physical activity by walking, practicing yoga or performing exercises that are suitable for their condition.

You should use high-fiber foods to keep your child from constipation

Fiber plays a special role in preventing constipation in human body in general and in babies in particular. Fiber absorbs water and binds fats, forming a substance that keeps stools soft. In addition, the water insoluble fiber provides a large amount of water to keep the stool moist and easier to move.

Conversely, too much fiber can cause digestive problems, bloating and indigestion in babies. Therefore, mothers should consult a doctor or dietitian to calculate the reasonable amount of fiber intake for each day.

Some foods with relatively high fiber content that mothers should use are: green vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, spinach ...), beans (peas, green beans , lentils ...), fruits (avocado, banana, oranges, pears ...).

Plums are one of the best foods mothers should eat so their babies don't get constipated. Plums are rich in fiber and sorbitol, help the baby laxative and easier to pass out. The neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids in plums can also help relieve constipation.

Sweet potatoes are also foods rich in fiber and extremely laxative that the mother should be added to the menu.

Supplement vitamins and yogurt

Vitamins are essential nutrients in the mother's daily diet. Fresh fruits, meat, fish, eggs, beans, ... contain a lot of vitamins such as vitamins C, B1, B5 or B12 that contribute to easier digestion of children, thereby avoiding constipation. in babies.

Yogurt not only strengthens the immune system of mother and child, but also overcomes constipation because it contains beneficial probiotic bacteria. This active ingredient has the effect of balancing the digestive system, regulating bowel movements in infants. Therefore, mothers should eat 2-3 boxes of yogurt a week if they want to ensure that babies do not have constipation.

Some foods and drinks mothers need to avoid to keep their children from constipation

Reduce iron-containing foods: Postpartum mothers often think that because they lost blood during childbirth, they must add iron in the diet. Iron is important for the body, but too much iron can cause constipation in babies. Therefore, mothers should consider and adjust the content of this substance in their daily diet.

Do not use caffeinated beverages: When your baby is breastfed, the amount of caffeine will be passed into the baby's body easily through breast milk. Because the baby's liver is still immature, it cannot completely metabolize this substance, leading to constipation. So, mothers need to minimize caffeinated drinks!

Avoid eating hot spicy foods: Hot spicy foods such as chili, pepper, curry powder ... have a negative impact on the digestive system, causing constipation for children. Women should also stay away from these foods.

Constipation, if left unnoticed for a long time, will have many serious effects on the health of babies. The above article has given moms advice on what to eat to prevent constipation, mothers can refer to and apply to ensure the best health for their children.

See more:

 

Mothers should eat milk-rich dishes after giving birth!

Mother less milk to breastfeed - the reason and solution to call breast milk back

How do I know if I should not breastfeed my baby?