What to Eat for Confinement After C-section?

Does this sound familiar – “Aiya, don’t simply eat ah. You eat seafood hoh, then later ah you itchy-itchy all over”?

New mothers who have recently given birth are frequently required to maintain a limited diet. The specially designed meal plan usually includes items that are easily digestible, which is significant because they have just had a C-section and are still healing and weak, making them susceptible to illness. 

In reality, certain Chinese confinement norms require women to eat only what is good for them, particularly during the first 6 weeks after giving birth.

In today’s article, we’ll be looking at what types of food you can safely munch on after the C-section.

Why is watching what you eat important after C-section?

The mother’s diet after birth is critical not only for her quick recovery, but also because she needs to breastfeed the newborn infant. Breast milk is the baby’s primary source of nutrition during the first few months, so it is critical that the mother eats a good diet. Good nourishment and rest will also hasten the healing of the abdominal wall and uterus, which were cut into during the C-section. A proper diet will also assist the mother in losing the weight she gained during her pregnancy.

A nutritious diet is vital for normal digestion and simple bowel movements that do not strain the abdomen, in addition to delivering adequate nutrients to the baby and assisting in the recovery of the mother’s body. Proteins, minerals, calcium, fibre, and iron should be included in the diet shortly following a caesarean delivery.

Constipation is one of the most common ailments that women experience after giving birth. There are numerous causes for this, including high levels of iron in prenatal vitamins, medicines used during surgery, dehydration, and weak pelvic muscles after delivery. However, another cause of constipation in new mothers is psychological — the anxiety that their stitches would be harmed or may ache.

Best food to eat after C-section?

What to Eat for Confinement After C-Section (1)

A diet plan that includes what to eat after a caesarean delivery and what to avoid should be carefully established. The diet should consist of a variety of foods that provide the mother with critical nutrients in suitable quantities. The following foods should be included in a mother’s diet following a C-section in order for her to recuperate quickly:

Whole grains

Whole grain foods, like pasta, brown bread, and brown rice, should be included in your diet since they are high in carbs, which aid with energy maintenance and breast milk production. Enriched whole grain products provide iron, fibre, and folic acid, all of which are necessary throughout the baby’s early stages of development. Mothers who have trouble sleeping and waking up in the morning should start their day with a whole grain cereal meal.

Fibre-rich foods

Constipation can slow healing by putting pressure on wounds and incisions, and fibre is an essential food that prevents constipation by guaranteeing easy bowel movements.

Raw fruits and vegetables provide roughage to the diet while also relieving constipation.

Oats and ragi are high in fibre and also heavy in carbs, calcium, proteins, and iron.

Lentils, green grammes, and pulses, which are high in protein and fibre, can also be included in the diet.

Iron-rich foods

Iron maintains haemoglobin levels in the body and aids in the recovery of blood lost during the delivery process. Iron also helps the immune system work properly. Iron-rich foods include egg yolk, red meat, oysters, cow liver, and dry fruits. For women above the age of 19, the recommended iron intake is 9 milligrammes per day. Excess iron intake can cause constipation and should be avoided.

Dairy products

Low-fat dairy products like skimmed milk, yoghurt, and cheese are high in protein, calcium, and vitamins B and D. These minerals are vital for nursing moms, and they should consume at least 500ml of dairy products every day.

Veggies & fruits

While all fruits and vegetables are healthy to new mothers, green vegetables are especially beneficial since they are high in vitamins, iron, and calcium. Aside from beans, spinach, and broccoli, lotus stems and fenugreek should be included in a food plan. Vegetarians can acquire enough protein from mushrooms and carrots. The antioxidant benefits of blueberries, as well as the deliciousness of vitamin C-rich citrus fruits, can aid breastfeeding mothers.

Liquids

Drinking enough of fluids helps to prevent dehydration and constipation. Fluid consumption helps to calm bowel motions and aids in post-surgery rehabilitation. Coconut water, low-fat milk, non-citrus juices, herbal teas, buttermilk, and soup are all excellent sources of important nutrients. You should also drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.

Liquids like calcium-fortified beverages, low-fat yoghurt, and milk increase your breast milk supply, which is an important part of your baby’s daily diet. Caffeinated beverages, like coffee, tea, and energy drinks, should be avoided because they can enter breast milk and disrupt your baby’s sleep.

Easily digestible foods

After giving birth, the body collects gas. New mothers should avoid eating foods that induce flatulence and constipation. During the post-C-section phase, you should avoid junk food and carbonated drinks and instead ingest foods such as soup, cottage cheese, broth, yoghurt, and other readily digestible products.

Vitamin-rich foods

Vitamins are high in antioxidants and aid in tissue repair. Vitamins aid in the development of collagen in the body, which aids in the formation of new scar tissues, ligaments, and skin.

Broccoli, spinach, and fenugreek leaves are high in vitamins A and C, as well as dietary calcium and iron.

Vitamin C is abundant in vegetables and fruits such as oranges, papayas, watermelons, strawberries, grapefruits, and sweet potatoes, and it aids in the fight against infections and the strengthening of immunity.

Protein, minerals, and calcium-rich food

Proteins aid in the formation of new tissue cells, which speeds up the healing process. Protein-rich foods help to mend tissues and sustain muscle power after surgery. Calcium, on the other hand, strengthens bones and teeth, relaxes muscles, promotes blood clotting, and prevents osteoporosis. 250 to 350 mg of calcium is delivered to the newborn during breastfeeding.

Low-fat dairy products including skimmed milk, low-fat yoghurt, cheese, beans, and dry peas are high in protein and vitamins.

Protein is abundant in pulses.

Iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are all found in sesame seeds.

Closing words

Well, it can be quite confusing, all these confinement rules regarding what you can and can’t eat. Make things easier on yourself by engaging a confinement agency that will send around a highly trained and experienced nanny who can take care of all of this for you. If you’re unsure about hiring a freelance confinement agency, feel free to read our article that breaks it down for you.

At the end of the day, we can only advise and guide. For an expert opinion, we recommend consulting with a medical professional. On the other hand, if you’re interested in learning more about confinement care after C-section or delivery, in general, we recommend looking through our blog for more suggestions. 

If you are going for or know somebody who will be undergoing a C-section, and would be interested in hiring a confinement agency, you can all stop Googling “confinement agency Singapore” now and sign up with us today!

Author

  • PEM Confinement Nanny Agency

    We are a group of frontliners and support team members who are passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience in confinement care. Representing the largest confinement nanny agency in Singapore which has served over 250,000 mothers in over 30 years, we are all about sharing useful and insightful information based on our experience to help new parents navigate this exciting chapter of their life better.