You can breastfeed if your mother has diarrhea. Diarrhea in a nursing mother

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 has no opportunity at all to devote time to her own health. Often after childbirth, women face the problem of diarrhea. Its causes can be various factors, the identification of which is best left to a doctor.Treating diarrhea on your own is dangerous for the health of both mother and baby. Moreover, not all conventional methods of combating it are suitable for breastfeeding women.

Causes of diarrhea in nursing mothers

Among all the possible reasons that can cause diarrhea in a nursing mother, the four most common are:

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

In the case of irritable bowel syndrome, functional disorders in the intestines are caused by stress, nervous disorders, severe emotional shocks and worries. All this is present in abundance 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:

• no vomiting;
• feces without blood;
• body temperature does not rise.

Another sign 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 occurs again. You can cope with the problem with the help of muscle relaxants or by resorting to sedatives. Any of these methods does 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 dangerous not only for her, but can also harm the baby. Toxins released by bacteria that enter the body along with stale or spoiled foods disrupt intestinal function, leading to dysbacteriosis, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes fever (we recommend reading:). During treatment, the doctor prescribes a special diet and selects medications that do not require giving up breastfeeding.

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 specific product, it should be crossed off the menu.

If you neglect 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, you should 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?

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

If diarrhea is caused by an intestinal infection, you can continue to breastfeed your baby, since it is transmitted through dirty hands and not through breast milk. In case of food poisoning, you should also not interrupt breastfeeding, because along with a small amount of toxins, the baby receives the mother’s antibodies to the infection. Weaning 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 switch to mixtures.

Among the real dangers that diarrhea poses are:

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

Chronic diarrhea and bloody bowel movements

Unlike short-term and not profuse diarrhea, long-term and severe diarrhea, turning into chronic, is dangerous and requires certain 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 reaches 10%, this is fraught with exhaustion, lethargy and other serious disorders, 25% already leads to death. Also, profuse diarrhea that lasts more than three days can cause shock.

This condition can be determined by the following signs:

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

Long-term diarrhea may cause dizziness

One of the most dangerous forms of diarrhea, which cannot be dealt with without medical help and hospitalization, is bloody stool, which in everyday life is called black stool. The presence of bloody 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. For an intestinal infection, the doctor may prescribe. While taking them, you will have to stop breastfeeding. Of course, there are infections that the body can cope with on its own, but, alas, this does not apply to all infections. Whether or not to interrupt breastfeeding depends on the specific circumstances.

When a mother is poisoned or diarrhea is a consequence of an intestinal infection, sorbents like activated carbon, for example “Polysorb” or “Sorbex”, come to the rescue. They quickly and effectively remove toxins from the body, without harming the health of either the mother or the baby. So, “Polysorb” is a powder that needs to be diluted with water (in proportion, based on body weight) and drunk 3 times a day (more details in the article: Regidron is used to restore water-salt balance

To stop water loss in the body, specialists often use Regidron. This medicine helps normalize the acid-base balance and stops the loss of electrolytes. The 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 recommended to switch to an even more strict diet:

• During illness, you will have to remove from your diet: carbonated drinks, spicy, salty and fried foods, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits.
• The menu remains: porridge, lean meat, boiled or steamed, dietary fish, baked vegetables, instead of sweets - dried and lean crackers, without additives.

At the beginning, your appetite may disappear, but you must eat to maintain strength and the required volume of breast milk.

Diarrhea during breastfeeding is common in women. The causes of this unpleasant symptom can cause serious complications for a nursing mother. Only a doctor should carry out and prescribe treatment. Using medications without a specialist’s prescription will lead to undesirable consequences, especially for a child.

Why does a nursing mother have diarrhea?

The appearance of diarrhea in a woman during breastfeeding occurs due to poor nutrition. Otherwise, intoxication of the body occurs due to medication. Therefore, the mother experiences loose stools, and the clinical picture varies. In addition to generally accepted factors, dangerous diseases can occur in a woman’s body.

Viral infection and symptoms

Viral diseases have 3 courses of infection:

• adenoviral;
• rotavirus;
• enterovirus.

Infection occurs by airborne droplets or in everyday life through dishes. Any viral infection is resistant to the external environment. Pathogens die only when the temperature rises (boiling). In addition to diarrhea, the mother experiences a feeling of general malaise while breastfeeding. Immediately or after some time, pain occurs in the abdominal area.

In individual cases, body temperature rises to 39 °C. Diarrhea in a nursing mother has a foamy appearance. To a greater extent, there are mucus impurities with pieces of undigested food. Feces have an unpleasant odor.

Any infectious infection begins with a clinical picture, like a cold or flu. The patient feels weak, muscle pain occurs, and the body temperature rises.

The occurrence of diarrhea in a nursing mother is in most cases associated with the activity of rotavirus infection.

Poisoning or intestinal disorder

A young mother is sensitive to the products she consumes. Therefore, poor quality or stale food causes diarrhea. In addition, the following signs of poisoning are identified:

• attacks of vomiting and nausea;
• weakness, lethargy and weakening pulse;
• temperature rise to 37.5-38 °C.

In most cases, diarrhea in a nursing mother occurs due to intestinal disorders. There is no need to stop breastfeeding. However, it is worth paying attention to the accompanying symptoms. Loose stools occur without nausea, vomiting or fever. The urge to defecate occurs during the day, and at night the muscles are in a relaxed state, and loose stools do not bother you.

Bacterial infections

Diseases of this nature are difficult for a nursing mother. The causes of bacterial infection are associated with the consumption of foods that contain pathogens. If loose stools and an increase in body temperature are detected, medical attention is required. Pathogenic infections include:

• salmonellosis;
• shigellosis;
• cholera;
• Escherichiosis.

Some bacterial diseases are difficult to diagnose based on general symptoms. To determine the disease, the doctor uses laboratory tests.

Other causes of diarrhea during lactation

When using certain medications (antibiotics), the intestinal microflora is disrupted. This leads to the appearance of loose stools. In this case, no signs of pain are detected. The color of stool varies from dark brown to light shade. The consistency of the stool is thin or watery. Diarrhea of ​​this nature occurs during lactation in mothers and occurs as a result of treatment for another pathology.

Dangers of Diarrhea While Breastfeeding

If a nursing mother experiences loose stools, this becomes a factor in the woman’s hospitalization. Some diseases threaten the health of the mother and infant. When a woman has diarrhea, her body becomes dehydrated. At the same time, trace elements leave with water. Their presence in the body helps in the functioning of the heart muscle and other organs.

Violation of water balance during lactation leads to a decrease in the amount of milk. This process lasts a short time or covers a long period until the body gets rid of pathogens. If a woman is treated with antibiotics while breastfeeding, the baby is transferred to formula. If a young mother does not take measures to preserve milk, the lactation period ends.

Due to some causes, diarrhea during breastfeeding is fatal. This occurs due to severe dehydration. In this case, the body is affected by toxins. The danger of diarrhea occurs during acute internal illness. In most cases, diarrhea is not considered a serious problem that a doctor cannot treat.

Should you breastfeed your baby?

You can breastfeed a child with diarrhea in certain situations. Loose stools in a mother can occur due to an allergic reaction of the body to foods. If no additional symptoms are detected, it is recommended to remove this food from the diet. The unpleasant condition will go away on its own. However, you should continue to breastfeed your baby.

In case of intestinal disorder, the doctor prescribes medications that do not affect lactation. Breastfeeding will be safe for the baby. If diarrhea occurs during breastfeeding and an intestinal or other infection is detected, then feeding the child with milk is interrupted for some time. In this case, antibacterial drugs are prescribed, which are contraindicated for healthy children.

However, most doctors do not recommend stopping breastfeeding your baby for bacterial and viral infections. Along with milk, the baby receives antibodies that produce protective pathogens and proteins against the disease. This is recommended if you are using non-serious medications that do not affect the baby’s immunity.

If the mother does not follow the rules of personal hygiene, the child becomes infected with an intestinal infection. Such diseases in children are difficult. Therefore, you need to be careful about hygiene.

Treatment of diarrhea

The prescription of therapy during breastfeeding depends on the cause of the unpleasant symptom. The use of antibiotics occurs in serious cases. For other factors, intestinal antiseptics are prescribed. If a mother experiences diarrhea after childbirth while breastfeeding, it is necessary to maintain water balance in the body before providing medical assistance.

First aid for a nursing mother with diarrhea

To begin with, a nursing mother will need to regulate her diet at home. It is recommended to exclude unhealthy foods that contain large amounts of fat from your diet. After childbirth, a woman’s body becomes susceptible to baked, spicy and salty foods.

When consuming store-bought drinks, you will need to refrain from drinking carbonated water. It is recommended to include liquid foods, broths and cereals in your daily diet. Some products are steamed before use.

To prevent dehydration during diarrhea in a young mother, it is recommended to take up to 3 liters of water per day. Infectious diseases exclude fermented milk products from the diet. If diarrhea occurs without additional symptoms, then it is advised to drink or yogurt to restore the microflora of the digestive organ.

Situations arose when the mother experienced severe dehydration due to diarrhea. At home you can use Regidron. The medicine helps restore the acid-base balance. When used, the product prevents the removal of electrolytes from the body. The medicine is available in powder form. A positive effect is observed after using 1 sachet, which is diluted in 1 liter of water. You will need to drink the product throughout the day.

In case of food poisoning, a nursing mother can drink activated charcoal. Tablets are taken in the ratio of 1 pill per 10 kg of total body weight. Sometimes diarrhea occurs due to psycho-emotional experiences and stress. Therefore, it is recommended to drink pharmaceutical or herbal teas after childbirth, which calm the nervous system.

Medicines

After a medical examination in the hospital, intestinal antiseptics are prescribed. Nifuroxazide is good for diarrhea in a nursing mother. Before use, in addition to the doctor's prescription, you must read the instructions. Tablets are taken in 2 pieces, spread over 3 doses per day. The use of the medicine is permitted during breastfeeding.

For intestinal disorders, it is recommended to take prebiotics or eubiotics. Medicines are aimed at restoring the microflora of the digestive organ. To eliminate and remove toxins, Smecta, activated carbon and other sorbing drugs are used.

The use of Doxycycline and Levomycitin by pregnant women and mothers after childbirth is strictly prohibited. The use of such antibiotics is required only after a diagnosis has been made by a doctor.

The use of Loperamide for loose stools after childbirth is not recommended without a doctor's prescription. The medicine helps reduce the release of watery stool. Due to improper intake during breastfeeding, it leads to increased intoxication of the body.

Preventive measures

A nursing mother needs to take preventive measures in advance against the occurrence of stomach disorders, rather than treating diarrhea and worrying about the baby. If infectious intestinal diseases have previously been noticed, then doctors advise adhering to special rules. Preventive measures include:

• proper storage of products;
• eating only fresh food;
• maintaining personal hygiene;
• washing fruits and vegetables, even if you are not sure of their cleanliness;
• avoiding large crowds of people during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Digestive disorders and diarrhea during lactation are not only allergic reactions to foods, but are also a manifestation of a serious pathology. A young mother needs to know that with a bacterial disease, the infection is transmitted to the baby through milk. Therefore, any additional sign is considered a signal to visit a doctor to diagnose your body. If preventive measures are followed, the occurrence of diarrhea will be significantly reduced.

Young mothers often face the problem of loose stools due to various factors. Therefore, in order to get rid of an unpleasant symptom, they begin to self-medicate. For any manifestation of diarrhea, you should consult a qualified doctor. This will reduce the risk of spreading the disease to the child. In some cases, it prevents undesirable consequences for the mother’s body.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.

Diarrhea is not just an unpleasant symptom; in some cases it can be dangerous. People cope with it using traditional methods and medications. Diarrhea is especially dangerous for mothers who are breastfeeding. You should not self-medicate, because you can harm the baby. What should a nursing woman do if she has diarrhea?

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose stool. Diarrhea can be either one-time or occur several times. A woman should understand that diarrhea is just a symptom and not an independent disease. She urgently needs to visit a doctor, since mother’s diarrhea while breastfeeding is dangerous for the baby.

If a woman begins to have diarrhea, this means that the absorption of electrolytes and water in her intestines is impaired. A person should excrete a maximum of 300 grams of feces per day. If there are 60-70 percent more of them, then we can already talk about diarrhea. Due to disturbances in the functioning of the intestines, stool becomes thinner, and bowel movements occur more often.

Diarrhea can be either acute or chronic. But it must be distinguished from insufficient absorption of nutrients in the intestines; in this case, traces of undigested food are found in the stool. Acute diarrhea lasts no more than 3 weeks. If a nursing mother has diarrhea for a month or more, then it has become chronic.

Symptoms of diarrhea in a nursing mother

Constant or periodic diarrhea significantly complicates the life of a woman caring for a child. In addition to loose stools, diarrhea may cause other unpleasant symptoms. Diarrhea in a mother during breastfeeding is often accompanied by dehydration. If diarrhea continues for more than 3-5 days, you should immediately visit a doctor. In case of diarrhea, the doctor may prescribe droppers that will restore the water balance in the nursing mother’s body and give her strength.

With diarrhea, a woman has liquid stool streaked with blood. Diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. High temperature with diarrhea is a formidable symptom. With diarrhea, chills, headache, bloating, and severe pain may occur.

If the diarrhea goes away within a day, there is usually no cause for concern. But in some cases you need to urgently run to the doctor. For example, if diarrhea occurs in a nursing mother after traveling in Africa or Asia. Some dangerous exotic diseases begin with diarrhea. If vomiting due to diarrhea does not stop for more than 2-3 hours, then you need to call the doctor. Dark, foamy diarrhea, which is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, is very dangerous.

Causes of diarrhea

Sudden onset of diarrhea brings additional troubles to a nursing mother. It is imperative to find out the causes of diarrhea and, if necessary, make an appointment with a doctor. For example, indigestion may be a symptom of an intestinal infection. Treatment in adults and children is prescribed only by a doctor; independent selection of drugs in this case often aggravates the condition.

Diarrhea may be the body's reaction to eating exotic foods. This is often observed in nursing mothers who traveled to Asia for the first time. Doctors recommend not to indulge in unusual foods initially; unfamiliar foods should be included in the diet gradually. When traveling, a nursing mother should refuse to buy food on the street, preferring clean cafes that maintain sanitary conditions.

Women are much more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome than men. This is due to the fact that ladies are more emotional, and this disease always occurs against a background of stress. Due to psychological stress, a woman’s intestinal motility is impaired, and food does not have time to be absorbed.

Intestinal infections

Many people associate the onset of diarrhea with poor diet, but this is not always true. In some cases, the cause of diarrhea is an intestinal infection. In adults, symptoms and treatment should be discussed with your doctor. Diarrhea can develop against the background of cholera or enterovirus.

The causative agents of intestinal infections are small in size. They are resistant to some disinfectants and to freezing. In feces, pathogens of intestinal infections remain viable for six months.

The virus enters the body of a nursing mother with contaminated water or poorly washed vegetables and fruits. Pathogens of intestinal infections can be transmitted in public places through dirty hands and contaminated objects. A breastfeeding woman can infect her own child after infection. Most of the population is extremely susceptible to intestinal infections, regardless of their immune status.

Allergy

Diarrhea in a mother while breastfeeding can occur for many reasons. Allergic diarrhea usually begins with severe abdominal pain. After some time, the stool becomes liquid. Until the allergen is completely eliminated from the body, diarrhea will not end. Such diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms: skin rash, sneezing, watery eyes.

If a nursing mother is sure that diarrhea is of an allergic nature, then it cannot be stopped. In this case, anti-diarrhea pills will only bring harm to the body. The allergen must completely leave the body of the nursing mother; drugs that stop diarrhea can prevent this.

To improve overall well-being, a woman can drink more water and take sorbents. It is advisable to consult a doctor to prescribe a treatment regimen. In some cases, rinsing the nose and eyes is required. A doctor can prescribe gentle antihistamines to a nursing woman.

Poisoning

Diarrhea during breastfeeding in a mother can begin for several reasons. Very often, diarrhea occurs due to food or substance poisoning. If a woman feels very unwell, then she should call an ambulance. For example, if poisoned by mushrooms, a person can even die.

A serious condition occurs if a nursing mother has inhaled paint or mercury vapor. Women who lead an antisocial lifestyle may be poisoned by low-quality alcoholic beverages. Such an illness not only causes a serious condition in the mother, but also poses a danger to the child’s life.

You can be poisoned not only by chemicals or medications; diarrhea occurs after eating expired foods. The greatest danger is from yesterday's salads dressed with mayonnaise. You cannot eat soups that have not been stored in the refrigerator, or expired food. If products have changed their appearance or have a strange smell, then they should not be consumed.

Foods that can cause diarrhea while breastfeeding

The appearance of diarrhea is not always associated with eating spoiled food or infection. Certain foods naturally speed up bowel movements. In this case, the diarrhea will not last long, and the woman will not experience additional frightening symptoms.

Products that cause diarrhea during breastfeeding should be consumed limitedly or completely eliminated. Often diarrhea is associated with a large amount of fresh fruit in the diet. They contain a large amount of fiber that is not completely digested. Prunes promote faster passage of food through the intestines; they are recommended to be given to children instead of a laxative. If a nursing mother eats it in large quantities, she will experience diarrhea.

Whole grains can also act as a laxative. This is due to the fact that they contain a large amount of fiber, which transits through the intestines. Fermented milk products are very beneficial for the body of a nursing mother, but in some cases they can cause diarrhea. A large amount of vegetables in the diet can also lead to diarrhea.

The danger of diarrhea for mother and baby

With diarrhea, a woman becomes dehydrated. This leads to the fact that some organs begin to work incorrectly. During diarrhea, vitamins, minerals, and various beneficial substances are washed out. The body of a nursing mother is depleted. The woman gradually weakens and becomes lethargic. If she is not helped, complications may develop.

Only a doctor can choose a medicine for diarrhea during breastfeeding. If a woman has a fever during diarrhea, the child is transferred to an artificial formula. If the doctor suspects that a nursing woman has an intestinal infection, she is taken to the hospital. With diarrhea caused by a virus, communication between mother and child is undesirable, as she can infect her baby.

Can I breastfeed during diarrhea?

The opinions of doctors on this issue are divided. If diarrhea occurs less than 3 times a day and goes away without other symptoms of ill health, then most often doctors do not prohibit breastfeeding. If a woman has a fever or has severe abdominal pain, then it is better to temporarily stop contact with the child. Also, a lot depends on what pills the mother takes for diarrhea while breastfeeding.

Some doctors believe that it is not necessary to wean the child if there is diarrhea. During the fight against the virus, the mother’s body produces antibodies, which are passed on to the baby through breast milk. That is why some doctors even recommend close communication between a woman and a child. Together with mother's milk, the baby will receive antibodies and will not get sick.

First aid for a nursing mother with diarrhea

After the onset of diarrhea, a woman needs to pay attention to her diet. You should not eat foods that have a laxative effect. Medicines for diarrhea while breastfeeding can only be taken after consulting a doctor.

If you have diarrhea, you need to drink more fluids to prevent dehydration. You can use the drug "Regidron", it will help restore the acid-base balance. The product is produced in the form of a powder, which is diluted in water. You can also offer a woman to drink Smecta. For diarrhea during breastfeeding, it quickly relieves the mother's condition.

Treatment

What can you do for diarrhea while breastfeeding? Treatment must be prescribed by a doctor, since many medications are contraindicated for mothers. For example, Doxycycline and Levomycytin should not be used by lactating women or pregnant women. "Loperamide" copes well with diarrhea, but it can only be taken after consulting a doctor, since the drug can increase intoxication.

Doctors recommend that nursing mothers use Smecta for diarrhea. This drug removes harmful substances from the body, thereby reducing intoxication. The use of probiotics, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, has a good effect. They normalize the digestive process and restore microflora in the gastrointestinal tract.

Folk remedies

How to treat diarrhea without fever? Some mothers use folk remedies that will not harm the baby. You can prepare a decoction of oak bark - a time-tested remedy. It is often given even to children. The decoction has a fixing effect. For one teaspoon of oak bark take 1.5 cups of water. The broth is brought to a boil and turned off. After straining, the folk remedy can be drunk.

Rice water is also effective for indigestion. It coats the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and fights inflammation. To prepare the decoction, mix 1 tablespoon of rice and raisins. The mixture is thrown into water and boiled for an hour. Drink 50 g of the decoction every 60 minutes, after cooling it. Usually after the first dose the patient feels better.

Prevention

A nursing mother should carefully monitor her health. It is very important to store food correctly. There is no need to prepare mayonnaise salads the day before serving; even in the refrigerator they can spoil. If a nursing mother needs to eat outside the home, then she needs to choose a place where hygiene rules are observed in the kitchen.

Fruits should always be washed, even if they have just been picked from the tree. When cooking meat and eggs, you need to watch the time. If you cook or stew a dish less than necessary, you can get an infection. It is necessary to avoid foods to which a nursing mother is allergic; they can cause diarrhea. During an epidemic of infectious diseases in the city, you should not visit places where large numbers of people gather.

When diarrhea occurs in a nursing mother, whether it is possible to feed the baby at this time becomes the main question, because everything must be done to avoid harm to the baby.

Breastfeeding is the happiest moment in a woman's life, when she and the baby have a very strong emotional connection. The entire period of breastfeeding requires strict adherence to a balanced diet (especially in the first months of the baby’s life). It is necessary to completely eliminate alcohol, smoking, and reduce the use of medications to a minimum. Moreover, taking medications must be accompanied by medical supervision.

However, unfortunately, no one can be insured against illness or pathology. So a nursing mother can catch a cold, get poisoned, or simply feel unwell. What is the cool season worth: viral infections and colds are its main companions. In the summer, you can easily get gastrointestinal upset and even poisoning.

In view of everything, diarrhea in a nursing mother can be caused by numerous factors. This disease should not only be treated quickly, but also prevented in advance. In addition, it is important not only to put the mother on her feet, but also to eliminate the risk for the baby.

Reasons

Diarrhea is frequent bowel movements that can lead to severe dehydration. Therefore, drinking plenty and frequently is the key to a quick recovery for mommy.

Diarrhea may be accompanied by weakness and general malaise. In this case, you don’t have to worry too much. However, the nature and frequency of stool should be controlled. If diarrhea during lactation is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, chills, inclusions of mucus and blood in the stool, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Such symptoms may indicate the presence of an infectious disease. Moreover, the disease can be transmitted to the baby through mother's breast milk.

Some causes of diarrhea:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome. Diarrhea itself as an ailment can manifest itself due to irritable bowel syndrome. That is, there is no vomiting or nausea. The urge to loose stools does not bother you at night. When mom rests, the intestinal muscles are relaxed and diarrhea does not occur. After awakening, the pathology may begin again. Treatment of the syndrome is based on taking sedatives and relaxants. Moreover, these medications will not cause the baby the slightest harm. Thus, lactation will be normal and there will be no need to wean the baby from the breast.

1. Food poisoning. In general, intestinal poisoning during breastfeeding is very dangerous. A baby can become infected from breast milk. Eating a stale product by a mother can cause serious intestinal problems. A large number of pathogenic microorganisms enter the body, which causes vomiting, diarrhea and fever. The treatment regimen is complex, including taking antibiotics, strictly following a diet and drinking the proper amount of water.

1. Allergic reaction. As a rule, a mother’s diet includes foods that are allergens. This may cause diarrhea. Treatment boils down to eliminating the product that causes the allergy from the menu.

1. Intestinal infection. Sometimes a nursing mother may neglect the rules of personal hygiene. This leads to an intestinal infection. Pathogenic microflora, entering the intestines, release toxins, which disrupts the functioning of the entire gastrointestinal tract. In this case, self-medication is not appropriate and even dangerous. Therefore, if signs of an intestinal infection appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

First aid

1. Removing toxins from the body by taking sorbents.
2. Getting rid of frequent bowel movements using a decoction of rice or rosehip.

A nursing mother, due to her illness, may completely lose her appetite. However, completely giving up nutrition is not at all correct. It is necessary to prevent dehydration, otherwise it can negatively affect the baby.

Improving intestinal microflora is also a top priority. It is necessary to consume fermented milk products (kefir, natural yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream). Porridges based on cereals such as oatmeal, buckwheat and millet will be the best components of mommy’s diet.

Treatment methods

Even before visiting the doctor or waiting for an ambulance, mommy needs help in order to alleviate her general condition. The cause of the disease will only be determined by a doctor. Today there are a large number of drugs that can help the mother without harming the baby. However, it is better to postpone the intake of sorbents and other auxiliary agents due to the fact that they all pass directly into breast milk. That is, the baby will definitely receive a certain dose of medication. But it is possible to relieve a nursing mother from pathology without medications.

A huge number of traditional medicine methods may come in handy. These recipes, when used correctly, can eliminate diarrhea quickly and effectively.

1. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably clean and boiled water. You can use water-salt solutions, which should be in everyone’s home medicine cabinet. This is a well-known rehydron. The drug will help replenish the water-salt balance of the body and save from dehydration.
2. Drink a decoction of oak bark, chamomile tea, an infusion of pomegranate peels or bird cherry fruits. Oak bark and chamomile will relieve pain and relieve inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Pomegranate and bird cherry have astringent properties, which will normalize intestinal function and form proper stool.
3. Consuming rice water. Rice porridge and broth will allow you to stop frequent, loose stools in a short time.
4. Walnut is an excellent fixative.
5. Drinking strong black tea.
6. Strict adherence to diet.

It is worth excluding fatty and difficult-to-digest foods and dishes. That is, the goal of the diet will be to slow down the contraction of the intestines. Preference should be given to porridges, first courses of lean meats and fish.

Is feeding acceptable?

Naturally, diarrhea in a nursing mother is an unpleasant condition and full of discomfort. The body instantly weakens, dehydration and weakness set in, and appetite disappears. Mothers are always worried that their baby may become infected through breast milk.

But the human body is designed in such a way that any disease provokes the production of antibodies to pathogens. That is, the baby will certainly receive his portion of antibodies through mother’s milk. According to pediatric experts, breastfeeding should not be stopped during diarrhea. Some doctors even recommend breastfeeding so that the baby receives everything useful for the better development of its immune system.

However, diarrhea while breastfeeding can be caused by a serious viral infection. High body temperature and frequent vomiting can be very dangerous. Therefore, the appearance of such signs should be a signal to contact a specialist. He will determine the cause of diarrhea and prescribe competent treatment that will lead to recovery. You won't need to stop breastfeeding completely; you will need to take a short break. A nursing mother should get rid of this disease as soon as possible. She will need to quickly restore her body's strength in order to continue breastfeeding her baby.

Prevention of intestinal dysbiosis

Today, intestinal dysbiosis is a fairly common phenomenon. Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract certainly leads to digestive problems. This is a familiar diarrhea, which in itself causes terrible discomfort for a nursing mother. Moreover, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract is a deterioration in the interaction of all body systems. This is especially dangerous during lactation and breastfeeding.

In order to prevent negative phenomena and their consequences, it is important to take preventive measures against dysbacteriosis. Preventing a disease means eliminating the risk of its impact on the body.

It may seem difficult to carry out prevention, since there are many factors that influence the development of intestinal dysbiosis. One of the reasons for disruption of the gastrointestinal tract is the use of antibiotics. Active components in medications can disrupt the intestinal microflora. This can provoke destruction of the intestinal mucosa, and subsequently upset stool. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of all gastrointestinal organs and carry out treatment on time.

Environmental pollution is also a pathological factor in intestinal dysfunction. Pathogenic microbes from outside can enter the body and cause serious illness. A severe form of dysbacteriosis provokes chronic diarrhea.

Prevention of such a phenomenon as diarrhea in a nursing mother comes down to proper and balanced nutrition.

Thus, eating fresh food, including fermented milk products, meat and fish dishes, and wholemeal bread, is the basis for excellent well-being. Fermented milk products are rich in lactobacilli, which fight pathogenic microbes and contribute to the creation of beneficial microflora in the intestines.

A sufficient amount of rest, relaxation and avoidance of stressful situations will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the body of a nursing mother.

Diarrhea in a nursing mother is an unpleasant phenomenon, which is complicated by worries about the baby. Will this condition harm the baby?

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have diarrhea? How to quickly and safely cure diarrhea? These and other questions are discussed in the article.

Causes of diarrhea in nursing women

Diarrhea is a pathological condition characterized by frequent bowel movements (2-3 times a day), loose, watery, large-volume stools.

Diarrhea is often accompanied by pain in the abdominal area, nausea and vomiting.

There are several reasons for diarrhea in a nursing mother. To correctly establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to carefully consider all the symptoms of the disease.

Thus, an intestinal infection is often accompanied by fever and vomiting. An infection occurs due to pathogenic bacteria entering the body.

Harmful microorganisms multiply in the intestines; during their vital activity, toxins are produced that disrupt the intestinal microflora and lead to disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The mode of transmission of these bacteria is fecal-oral, which is why intestinal infections are called the disease of dirty hands. To avoid infection, nursing mothers should wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom.

One of the reasons for diarrhea in a nursing mother may be poisoning from low-quality products. The diet of a young mother should be under especially close control.

And the question is not only about the composition of the products, but also about their quality, because the well-being of the baby depends on the health of the mother.

Fatty, fried, spicy foods can cause intestinal problems and cause diarrhea. You should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and eat only fresh foods.

Spoiled food contains bacteria and toxins, which, when entering the intestines, disrupt its functioning and change the composition of the intestinal microflora.

Food poisoning is often accompanied by nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Diarrhea can be one of the manifestations of allergies. Due to changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby, a young mother may change her reaction to certain foods.

Allergies may be accompanied by rash, itching, and redness of the skin. If you suspect a food allergy, it is enough to simply remove foods that can cause such a reaction from your diet.

In the first months of the baby’s life, a young mother experiences a lot of stress from changes in her usual routine and new responsibilities.

Anxiety, sleepless nights, and lack of proper rest affect the functioning of the body and often lead to diarrhea.

Doctors call this reaction irritable bowel syndrome. The difference between the syndrome and other causes of diarrhea is the absence of vomiting, nausea, and high fever.

Diarrhea during the syndrome can alternate with constipation, but the pathology worries the nursing mother only during the daytime. During sleep, when muscles relax and stress levels decrease, diarrhea goes away.

How to cure diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the body's natural defense response to toxins. That is why it is not worth stopping diarrhea in any way, but you should understand the reasons for its occurrence.

The main danger of diarrhea is dehydration. During diarrhea, a large amount of fluid and salts are removed from the body.

When dehydration occurs, the functioning of human internal organs and systems is disrupted, and the load on the liver and heart increases.

An insufficient amount of fluid in the body prevents the elimination of pathogenic bacteria and their waste products, which leads to general intoxication.

That is why, in case of diarrhea, even before the doctor arrives, you should begin restoring fluid in the body.

You can drink large amounts of lightly salted boiled water or take a special electrolytic solution, which is sold at the pharmacy.

In case of acute intestinal infection (AI), the doctor must select appropriate antibiotic therapy that is compatible with breastfeeding.

Independent choice of medication can lead to additional stress on the liver of a nursing mother and even harm the baby.

A seemingly simple way to stop diarrhea is to take a pill (for example, Loperamide). The danger of such thoughtless medication use lies in the possible severe intoxication of the body.

The fact is that in case of acute intestinal infections or food poisoning, the body turns on a natural protective reaction - diarrhea - to get rid of pathogenic bacteria.

Stopping intestinal motility in this case will lead to the cessation of the elimination of harmful microorganisms.

Therefore, taking anti-diarrhea medications is possible only with an accurate diagnosis and under the supervision of a doctor.

A nursing mother experiencing irritable bowel syndrome should first start taking sedatives.

Relaxing muscles and relieving nervous tension during the daytime will completely cure diarrhea.

It is safe for a nursing mother to take activated carbon, one of the most effective sorbents.

Charcoal removes toxins produced by pathogenic microorganisms from the digestive tract.

You can use it without fear for the baby’s health, since charcoal does not pass into breast milk. The doctor may prescribe other sorbents that are approved for breastfeeding, for example, Polysorb and Enterosgel.

Is it safe to continue feeding if you have diarrhea?

Often, when any ailment appears, the main thought of a nursing mother is whether the condition will harm the baby.

But today the opinion of doctors is clear: diarrhea is dangerous only for the mother herself and cannot harm a breastfed baby.

Bacteria that have entered the mother's body and caused impaired intestinal motility are transmitted through dirty hands, but do not penetrate into the milk.

Therefore, in case of an intestinal infection, you should pay attention to the condition of the mother herself and not stop breastfeeding.

Food poisoning occurs when consuming stale foods, the bacteria and toxins in which end up in the gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea.

Those toxins that can still get into breast milk are insignificant, but in this case the child also receives antibodies to the infection produced by the mother’s body. In case of such poisoning, it is not necessary to stop feeding milk.

If the cause of diarrhea in a nursing mother is irritable bowel syndrome, then this condition does not affect the baby’s well-being in any way, since it is caused by stress and not by bacteria.

If the mother is diagnosed with the syndrome, then her treatment must necessarily include taking sedatives.

Medicines for this purpose should be selected by a doctor, since some of them may be contraindicated for nursing mothers.

To maintain breastfeeding during diarrhea, it is necessary to replenish fluid in the body on time, rest and eat properly.

With stress and lack of nutrients, breast milk production may decrease or stop altogether.

In especially severe cases, if diarrhea lasts more than 3 days, is accompanied by pain, and blood is found in the stool, the doctor will prescribe strong medications.

Many of them are not compatible with breastfeeding. While taking such medications, the baby should be switched to formula.

If you see a doctor on time, the treatment will be more effective, and after a few days you can return to breastfeeding.

Diarrhea in a nursing woman is an unpleasant, but in most cases not dangerous, disease.

A competent doctor will help determine the cause of diarrhea and prescribe effective treatment that is fully compatible with breastfeeding.

A child in a family is a joy for everyone. With the arrival of a baby, a woman has new worries, concerns, and responsibilities. With the birth of a baby, a woman is obliged to monitor her health and review her eating habits. If the mother of a newborn has chosen breastfeeding, it is worth carefully considering the diet.

It happens that after eating a spoiled product, a woman experiences an upset stomach (diarrhea). Often young mothers get lost in such situations. Diarrhea makes it difficult to decide whether to continue feeding the baby with breast milk or immediately stop breastfeeding for the duration of treatment? Will it harm the baby's health if you don't stop breastfeeding if you feel upset? How to treat the disorder so as not to harm the child?

Causes of diarrhea in a nursing mother

There are a number of known factors that provoke the occurrence of diarrhea in nursing mothers. After pregnancy and childbirth, the female body weakens, the immune system weakens, and as a result of changes in the young mother’s regime, constant fatigue and exacerbation of chronic diseases appear. This becomes a common cause of indigestion.

Doctors identify 6 causes of diarrhea:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, there is no vomiting or hyperthermia; diarrhea bothers the woman during the daytime. In a state of sleep, the intestines relax, and the symptoms of the disease disappear. After awakening, the pathology resumes.
2. Toxic infection manifests itself when a violation of the rules of hygiene and sanitation by a nursing mother occurs. By eating spoiled food or using bad products, a woman leads to intestinal infection. Acute diarrhea occurs due to the ingestion of salmonella, shigella, and cocci. The disease manifests itself with diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever occurs, and the woman experiences weakness.
3. Food allergies. Leads to stomach upset in a nursing mother. This occurs due to damage to the intestinal mucosa by allergens.
4. Stress can cause indigestion. When a person is nervous, there is an increased release of adrenaline, which affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract).
5. Medicines. Taking a number of medications can lead to persistent dysbiosis, and diarrhea begins.
6. Eating disorder. If the regime is violated, a failure occurs in the woman’s eating regimen - this leads to an exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, a malfunction of the intestines occurs, causing diarrhea.

Symptoms of diarrhea

When a person has loose stools once a day, there is no need to sound the alarm; this is not a sign of diarrhea. But a frequent urge to defecate, accompanied by an unreasonable rise in temperature, the appearance of the urge to vomit, and frequent nausea are alarming signs for a nursing mother. Symptoms of diarrhea include: rumbling in the abdominal cavity, headache, constant fatigue, drowsiness. It is necessary to pay attention to these symptoms so as not to miss the onset of the disease.

The most serious symptoms of diarrhea

Every woman during lactation must know the dangerous symptoms that require immediate medical attention. These include:

• black chair;
• the appearance of green streaks and mucus in the feces;
• loss of consciousness;
• diarrhea more than 5 times a day, stomach pain;
• the duration of diarrhea does not stop for a long time;
• body temperature rises above normal.

Important! If you see these symptoms, consult a doctor IMMEDIATELY!

The danger of diarrhea for infants during lactation

If you carefully observe hygiene, you should not worry too much and be afraid that the infection will get to your child. The infection enters the baby's body through the mouth. If a woman's diarrhea is not associated with poisoning or illness, diarrhea poses more danger to the mother than to the child.

The danger of diarrhea for a nursing mother

Due to frequent bowel movements, dehydration occurs in a woman’s body; most beneficial microorganisms, vitamins, and salts are washed out of the body. The woman weakens and becomes lethargic. If treatment is refused, diarrhea leads to serious complications. You cannot take pills without a doctor's prescription.

If the child's mother has a fever, feeding the child is stopped, the baby is bottle-fed while the mother's course of therapy continues.

Treatment of diarrhea in women during lactation

Treatment of diarrhea during breastfeeding in a mother depends on the cause of the disease.

A common cause of diarrhea is stress. Stress in nursing mothers can occur as a result of a difficult birth (postpartum depression), especially if the child is the first. Stress appears after childbirth due to the mother's nervous tension due to chronic fatigue, and the cause is a constant feeling of fear for the baby's health. In this case, treatment should be aimed at restoring the woman’s nervous system.

Modern pharmacists offer an abundance of drugs designed for women during breastfeeding. The choice of medication for diarrhea is made directly by the doctor, since self-medication can harm the health of the mother and baby.

Another difficulty is the infection getting inside the woman’s body. If this occurs, antibacterial therapy must be prescribed. The doctor selects the appropriate antibiotic, then a decision is made about the need to breastfeed the baby. Only a doctor can correctly decide whether it is worth transferring the baby to artificial feeding or continuing breastfeeding.

To eliminate the consequences of diarrhea, a woman is prescribed activated carbon, Atoxil or Sorbex. The drugs are harmless to mother and child.

Regidron is prescribed to replenish fluid in the body during lactation. This drug restores salt balance. To remove toxins from the body, Smecta powder is prescribed. The medicine combines toxins and bacteria in the patient’s body, removing them from the body along with feces. For diarrhea it is possible to take sorbents (Polysorb, Enterosgel, Filtrum).

In case of diarrhea, in order to prevent bacteria and infections from entering the baby’s body from the mother, the child’s mother must remember to clean her hands, dishes, and clothes. It is recommended to wash your breasts with laundry soap every time before feeding your baby.

Diarrhea due to poor diet

When a baby is born, a woman should reconsider her own diet and eat right. With a large number of dishes with spices and the consumption of fatty foods can cause intestinal upset in a nursing mother. If you neglect the rules, diarrhea will periodically bother the woman, which will lead to undesirable consequences.

In case of diarrhea due to heavy fatty foods, it is necessary to adjust the daily diet; a diet is prescribed throughout the lactation period.

Diet for a nursing mother with diarrhea

A woman who has an infant should exclude foods that stimulate intestinal function (milk and dairy products), and reduce the intake of fruits and vegetables rich in fiber. Limit the consumption of spicy foods and pickles. Eliminate soda and alcohol!

During diarrhea during breastfeeding, cereal porridges, boiled meat, low-fat steamed fish are allowed, and the use of dried bread and crackers helps to quickly stop diarrhea.

If diarrhea occurs, regardless of the cause, remember to dehydrate your body. To avoid it, you need to drink 3 liters of water a day.

Diagnostic methods for diarrhea

To correctly determine the cause of diarrhea in a nursing mother, you must first consult a doctor, conduct a full examination and take blood, urine, and stool tests. To determine the cause of the disease, an ultrasound examination is prescribed. After undergoing examinations, the doctor decides on treatment and gives recommendations for eliminating the disease.

Traditional medicine as a help for diarrhea

Recipes of ancestors, proven over the years - they can be used as auxiliary therapy, but you should not replace pharmaceutical drugs with folk recipes.

To relieve intestinal inflammation during diarrhea, you should drink an oak decoction. You need to take 1 tbsp. spoon of bark, pour boiling water (300 ml), boil for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink the decoction 3 times a day, a tablespoon.

Good results are obtained by consuming rice water. It envelops the intestines, protecting against irritants. To prepare the decoction, rinse 2 tablespoons of rice, add 0.5 liters of boiling water, and cook for 40 minutes over low heat. Then remove the broth from the heat, cool, and filter. Take 1⁄4 cup during the day every 2-3 hours.

An infusion of pomegranate peels helps to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. The dried peels are crushed, poured with boiling water (1 tsp of peels per 250 ml of boiling water), leave for half an hour, drink before meals.

Infection in the gastrointestinal tract will be killed with the help of bird cherry berries, which are good for diarrhea. 1 tablespoon of berries is poured into a glass of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Take 100 g of the product three times a day.

Prevention of diarrhea during lactation

A nursing mother should know the rules for preventing diarrhea. These rules are simple but effective.

Remember:

• When buying products, do not forget to check the expiration date of the product;
• wash fruits and vegetables before eating;
• you should avoid stressful situations;
• Meat, fish and egg dishes must be thoroughly cooked.

By following these rules, every woman can avoid health problems and protect herself from diarrhea.

Diarrhea is not just an unpleasant symptom; in some cases it can be dangerous. People cope with it using traditional methods and medications. Diarrhea is especially dangerous for mothers who are breastfeeding. You should not self-medicate, because you can harm the baby. What should a nursing woman do if she has diarrhea?

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose stool. Diarrhea can be either one-time or occur several times. A woman should understand that diarrhea is just a symptom and not an independent disease. She urgently needs to visit a doctor, since mother’s diarrhea while breastfeeding is dangerous for the baby.

If a woman begins to have diarrhea, this means that the absorption of electrolytes and water in her intestines is impaired. A person should excrete a maximum of 300 grams of feces per day. If there are 60-70 percent more of them, then we can already talk about diarrhea. Due to disturbances in the functioning of the intestines, stool becomes thinner, and bowel movements occur more often.

Diarrhea can be either acute or chronic. But it must be distinguished from insufficient absorption of nutrients in the intestines; in this case, traces of undigested food are found in the stool. Acute diarrhea lasts no more than 3 weeks. If a nursing mother has diarrhea for a month or more, then it has become chronic.

Symptoms of diarrhea in a nursing mother

Constant or periodic diarrhea significantly complicates the life of a woman caring for a child. In addition to loose stools, diarrhea may cause other unpleasant symptoms. Diarrhea in a mother during breastfeeding is often accompanied by dehydration. If diarrhea continues for more than 3-5 days, you should immediately visit a doctor. In case of diarrhea, the doctor may prescribe droppers that will restore the water balance in the nursing mother’s body and give her strength.

With diarrhea, a woman has liquid stool streaked with blood. Diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. High temperature with diarrhea is a formidable symptom. With diarrhea, chills, headache, bloating, and severe pain may occur.

If the diarrhea goes away within a day, there is usually no cause for concern. But in some cases you need to urgently run to the doctor. For example, if diarrhea occurs in a nursing mother after traveling in Africa or Asia. Some dangerous exotic diseases begin with diarrhea. If vomiting due to diarrhea does not stop for more than 2-3 hours, then you need to call the doctor. The dark one is very dangerous and is accompanied by severe abdominal pain.

Causes of diarrhea

Sudden onset of diarrhea brings additional troubles to a nursing mother. It is imperative to find out the causes of diarrhea and, if necessary, make an appointment with a doctor. For example, indigestion may be a symptom of an intestinal infection. Treatment in adults and children is prescribed only by a doctor; independent selection of drugs in this case often aggravates the condition.

Diarrhea may be the body's reaction to eating exotic foods. This is often observed in nursing mothers who traveled to Asia for the first time. Doctors recommend not to indulge in unusual foods initially; unfamiliar foods should be included in the diet gradually. When traveling, a nursing mother should refuse to buy food on the street, preferring clean cafes that maintain sanitary conditions.

Women are much more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome than men. This is due to the fact that ladies are more emotional, and this disease always occurs against a background of stress. Due to psychological stress, a woman’s intestinal motility is impaired, and food does not have time to be absorbed.

Intestinal infections

Many people associate the onset of diarrhea with poor diet, but this is not always true. In some cases, the cause of diarrhea is an intestinal infection. In adults, symptoms and treatment should be discussed with your doctor. Diarrhea can develop against the background of cholera or enterovirus.

They are small in size. They are resistant to some disinfectants and to freezing. In feces, pathogens of intestinal infections remain viable for six months.

The virus enters the body of a nursing mother with contaminated water or poorly washed vegetables and fruits. Pathogens of intestinal infections can be transmitted in public places through dirty hands and contaminated objects. A breastfeeding woman can infect her own child after infection. Most of the population is extremely susceptible to intestinal infections, regardless of their immune status.

Allergy

Diarrhea in a mother while breastfeeding can occur for many reasons. Allergic diarrhea usually begins with severe abdominal pain. After some time, the stool becomes liquid. Until the allergen is completely eliminated from the body, diarrhea will not end. Such diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms: skin rash, sneezing, watery eyes.

If a nursing mother is sure that diarrhea is of an allergic nature, then it cannot be stopped. In this case, anti-diarrhea pills will only bring harm to the body. The allergen must completely leave the body of the nursing mother; drugs that stop diarrhea can prevent this.

To improve overall well-being, a woman can drink more water and take sorbents. It is advisable to consult a doctor to prescribe a treatment regimen. In some cases, rinsing the nose and eyes is required. A doctor can prescribe gentle antihistamines to a nursing woman.

Poisoning

Diarrhea during breastfeeding in a mother can begin for several reasons. Very often, diarrhea occurs due to food or substance poisoning. If a woman feels very unwell, then she should call an ambulance. For example, if poisoned by mushrooms, a person can even die.

A serious condition occurs if a nursing mother has inhaled paint or mercury vapor. Women who lead an antisocial lifestyle may be poisoned by low-quality alcoholic beverages. Such an illness not only causes a serious condition in the mother, but also poses a danger to the child’s life.

You can be poisoned not only by chemicals or medications; diarrhea occurs after eating expired foods. The greatest danger is from yesterday's salads dressed with mayonnaise. You cannot eat soups that have not been stored in the refrigerator, or expired food. If products have changed their appearance or have a strange smell, then they should not be consumed.

Foods that can cause diarrhea while breastfeeding

The appearance of diarrhea is not always associated with eating spoiled food or infection. Certain foods naturally speed up bowel movements. In this case, the diarrhea will not last long, and the woman will not experience additional frightening symptoms.

Products that cause diarrhea during breastfeeding should be consumed limitedly or completely eliminated. Often diarrhea is associated with a large amount of fresh fruit in the diet. They contain a large amount of fiber that is not completely digested. Prunes promote faster passage of food through the intestines; they are recommended to be given to children instead of a laxative. If a nursing mother eats it in large quantities, she will experience diarrhea.

Whole grains can also act as a laxative. This is due to the fact that they contain a large amount of fiber, which transits through the intestines. Fermented milk products are very beneficial for the body of a nursing mother, but in some cases they can cause diarrhea. A large amount of vegetables in the diet can also lead to diarrhea.

The danger of diarrhea for mother and baby

With diarrhea, a woman becomes dehydrated. This leads to the fact that some organs begin to work incorrectly. During diarrhea, vitamins, minerals, and various beneficial substances are washed out. The body of a nursing mother is depleted. The woman gradually weakens and becomes lethargic. If she is not helped, complications may develop.

Only a doctor can choose a medicine for diarrhea. If a woman has a fever during diarrhea, the child is transferred to an artificial formula. If the doctor suspects that a nursing woman has an intestinal infection, she is taken to the hospital. With diarrhea caused by a virus, communication between mother and child is undesirable, as she can infect her baby.

Can I breastfeed during diarrhea?

The opinions of doctors on this issue are divided. If diarrhea occurs less than 3 times a day and goes away without other symptoms of ill health, then most often doctors do not prohibit breastfeeding. If a woman has a fever or has severe abdominal pain, then it is better to temporarily stop contact with the child. Also, a lot depends on what pills the mother takes for diarrhea while breastfeeding.

Some doctors believe that it is not necessary to wean the child if there is diarrhea. During the fight against the virus, the mother’s body produces antibodies, which are passed on to the baby through breast milk. That is why some doctors even recommend close communication between a woman and a child. Together with mother's milk, the baby will receive antibodies and will not get sick.

First aid for a nursing mother with diarrhea

After the onset of diarrhea, a woman needs to pay attention to her diet. You should not eat foods that have a laxative effect. Medicines for diarrhea while breastfeeding can only be taken after consulting a doctor.

If you have diarrhea, you need to drink more fluids to prevent dehydration. You can use the drug "Regidron", it will help restore the acid-base balance. The product is produced in the form of a powder, which is diluted in water. You can also offer a woman to drink Smecta. In case of diarrhea, it quickly relieves the mother's condition.

Treatment

What can you do for diarrhea while breastfeeding? Treatment must be prescribed by a doctor, since many medications are contraindicated for mothers. For example, Doxycycline and Levomycytin should not be used by lactating women or pregnant women. "Loperamide" copes well with diarrhea, but it can only be taken after consulting a doctor, since the drug can increase intoxication.

Doctors recommend that nursing mothers use Smecta for diarrhea. This drug removes harmful substances from the body, thereby reducing intoxication. The use of probiotics, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, has a good effect. They normalize the digestive process and restore microflora in the gastrointestinal tract.

Folk remedies

How to treat diarrhea without fever? Some mothers use folk remedies that will not harm the baby. You can prepare a decoction of oak bark - a time-tested remedy. It is often given even to children. The decoction has a fixing effect. For one teaspoon of oak bark take 1.5 cups of water. The broth is brought to a boil and turned off. After straining, the folk remedy can be drunk.

Rice water is also effective for indigestion. It coats the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and fights inflammation. To prepare the decoction, mix 1 tablespoon of rice and raisins. The mixture is thrown into water and boiled for an hour. Drink 50 g of the decoction every 60 minutes, after cooling it. Usually after the first dose the patient feels better.

Prevention

A nursing mother should carefully monitor her health. It is very important to store food correctly. There is no need to prepare mayonnaise salads the day before serving; even in the refrigerator they can spoil. If a nursing mother needs to eat outside the home, then she needs to choose a place where hygiene rules are observed in the kitchen.

Fruits should always be washed, even if they have just been picked from the tree. When cooking meat and eggs, you need to watch the time. If you cook or stew a dish less than necessary, you can get an infection. It is necessary to avoid foods to which a nursing mother is allergic; they can cause diarrhea. During an epidemic of infectious diseases in the city, you should not visit places where large numbers of people gather.

A child in a family is a joy for everyone. With the arrival of a baby, a woman has new worries, concerns, and responsibilities. With the birth of a baby, a woman is obliged to monitor her health and review her eating habits. If the mother of a newborn has chosen breastfeeding, it is worth carefully considering the diet.

It happens that after eating a spoiled product, a woman experiences (diarrhea). Often young mothers get lost in such situations. Diarrhea makes it difficult to decide whether to continue feeding the baby with breast milk or immediately stop breastfeeding for the duration of treatment? Will it harm the baby's health if you don't stop breastfeeding if you feel upset? How to treat the disorder so as not to harm the child?

There are a number of known factors that provoke the occurrence of diarrhea in nursing mothers. After pregnancy and childbirth, the female body weakens, the immune system weakens, and as a result of changes in the young mother’s regime, constant fatigue and exacerbation of chronic diseases appear. This becomes a common cause of indigestion.

Doctors identify 6 causes of diarrhea:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, there is no vomiting or hyperthermia; diarrhea bothers the woman during the daytime. In a state of sleep, the intestines relax, and the symptoms of the disease disappear. After awakening, the pathology resumes.
2. Toxic infection manifests itself when a violation of the rules of hygiene and sanitation by a nursing mother occurs. By eating spoiled food or using bad products, a woman leads to intestinal infection. appears due to the ingestion of salmonella, shigella, and cocci. The disease manifests itself with diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever occurs, and the woman experiences weakness.
3. Food allergies. Leads to stomach upset in a nursing mother. This occurs due to damage to the intestinal mucosa by allergens.
4. Stress can cause indigestion. When a person is nervous, there is an increased release of adrenaline, which affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract).
5. Medicines. Taking a number of medications can lead to persistent dysbiosis, and diarrhea begins.
6. Eating disorder. If the regime is violated, a failure occurs in the woman’s eating regimen - this leads to an exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, a malfunction of the intestines occurs, causing diarrhea.

Symptoms of diarrhea

When a person has loose stools once a day, there is no need to sound the alarm; this is not a sign of diarrhea. But a frequent urge to defecate, accompanied by an unreasonable rise in temperature, the appearance of the urge to vomit, and frequent nausea are alarming signs for a nursing mother. Symptoms of diarrhea include: rumbling in the abdominal cavity, headache, constant fatigue, drowsiness. It is necessary to pay attention to these symptoms so as not to miss the onset of the disease.

The most serious symptoms of diarrhea

Every woman during lactation must know the dangerous symptoms that require immediate medical attention. These include:

• black chair;
• the appearance of green streaks and mucus in the feces;
• loss of consciousness;
• diarrhea more than 5 times a day, stomach pain;
• the duration of diarrhea does not stop for a long time;
• body temperature rises above normal.

Important! If you see these symptoms, consult a doctor IMMEDIATELY!

The danger of diarrhea for infants during lactation

If you carefully observe hygiene, you should not worry too much and be afraid that the infection will get to your child. The infection enters the baby's body through the mouth. If a woman's diarrhea is not associated with poisoning or illness, diarrhea poses more danger to the mother than to the child.

The danger of diarrhea for a nursing mother

Due to frequent bowel movements, dehydration occurs in a woman’s body; most beneficial microorganisms, vitamins, and salts are washed out of the body. The woman weakens and becomes lethargic. If treatment is refused, diarrhea leads to serious complications. You cannot take pills without a doctor's prescription.

If the child's mother has a fever, feeding the child is stopped, the baby is bottle-fed while the mother's course of therapy continues.

Treatment of diarrhea in women during lactation

Treatment of diarrhea during breastfeeding in a mother depends on the cause of the disease.

A common cause of diarrhea is stress. Stress in nursing mothers can occur as a result of a difficult birth (postpartum depression), especially if the child is the first. Stress appears after childbirth due to the mother's nervous tension due to chronic fatigue, and the cause is a constant feeling of fear for the baby's health. In this case, treatment should be aimed at restoring the woman’s nervous system.

Modern pharmacists offer an abundance of drugs designed for women during breastfeeding. The choice is made directly by the doctor, since self-medication can harm the health of the mother and baby.

Another difficulty is the infection getting inside the woman’s body. If this occurs, antibacterial therapy must be prescribed. The doctor selects the appropriate antibiotic, then a decision is made about the need to breastfeed the baby. Only a doctor can correctly decide whether it is worth transferring the baby to artificial feeding or continuing breastfeeding.

To eliminate the consequences of diarrhea, a woman is prescribed activated carbon, Atoxil or Sorbex. The drugs are harmless to mother and child.

Regidron is prescribed to replenish fluid in the body during lactation. This drug restores salt balance. To remove toxins from the body, Smecta powder is prescribed. The medicine combines toxins and bacteria in the patient’s body, removing them from the body along with feces. For diarrhea it is possible to take sorbents (Polysorb, Enterosgel, Filtrum).

In case of diarrhea, in order to prevent bacteria and infections from entering the baby’s body from the mother, the child’s mother must remember to clean her hands, dishes, and clothes. It is recommended to wash your breasts with laundry soap every time before feeding your baby.

Diarrhea due to poor diet

When a baby is born, a woman should reconsider her own diet and eat right. With a large number of dishes with spices and the consumption of fatty foods can cause intestinal upset in a nursing mother. If you neglect the rules, diarrhea will periodically bother the woman, which will lead to undesirable consequences.

In case of diarrhea due to heavy fatty foods, it is necessary to adjust the daily diet; a diet is prescribed throughout the lactation period.

Diet for a nursing mother with diarrhea

A woman who has an infant should exclude foods that stimulate intestinal function (milk and dairy products), and reduce the intake of fruits and vegetables rich in fiber. Limit the consumption of spicy foods and pickles. Eliminate soda and alcohol!

During diarrhea during breastfeeding, cereal porridges, boiled meat, low-fat steamed fish are allowed, and the use of dried bread and crackers helps to quickly stop diarrhea.

If diarrhea occurs, regardless of the cause, remember to dehydrate your body. To avoid it, you need to drink 3 liters of water a day.

Diagnostic methods for diarrhea

To correctly determine the cause of diarrhea in a nursing mother, you must first consult a doctor, conduct a full examination and take blood, urine, and stool tests. To determine the cause of the disease, an ultrasound examination is prescribed. After undergoing examinations, the doctor decides on treatment and gives recommendations for eliminating the disease.

Traditional medicine as a help for diarrhea

Recipes of ancestors, proven over the years - they can be used as auxiliary therapy, but you should not replace pharmaceutical drugs with folk recipes.

To relieve intestinal inflammation during diarrhea, you should drink an oak decoction. You need to take 1 tbsp. spoon of bark, pour boiling water (300 ml), boil for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink the decoction 3 times a day, a tablespoon.

Use gives good results. It envelops the intestines, protecting against irritants. To prepare the decoction, rinse 2 tablespoons of rice, add 0.5 liters of boiling water, and cook for 40 minutes over low heat. Then remove the broth from the heat, cool, and filter. Take 1⁄4 cup during the day every 2-3 hours.

An infusion of pomegranate peels helps to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. The dried peels are crushed, poured with boiling water (1 tsp of peels per 250 ml of boiling water), leave for half an hour, drink before meals.

Infection in the gastrointestinal tract will be killed with the help of bird cherry berries, which are good for diarrhea. 1 tablespoon of berries is poured into a glass of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Take 100 g of the product three times a day.

Prevention of diarrhea during lactation

A nursing mother should know the rules for preventing diarrhea. These rules are simple but effective.

Remember:

• When buying products, do not forget to check the expiration date of the product;
• wash fruits and vegetables before eating;
• you should avoid stressful situations;
• Meat, fish and egg dishes must be thoroughly cooked.

By following these rules, every woman can avoid health problems and protect herself from diarrhea.