What to eat during the early stages of confinement

A woman’s body will become very weak right after giving birth. Because the uterus is damaged at this time, it takes a long time to slowly recuperate, which takes about a month. Therefore, women need to have confinement time for about a month after giving birth. In the early stage of confinement, mothers should take some nutritional supplements to help them recover faster. So what should you eat in the early stages of confinement?

In order to replenish the large amount of energy consumed by the mother during childbirth, the postpartum diet should naturally be based on the principle of being nutritious and having sufficient calories. New mothers who plan to breastfeed their babies need 3,100 calories per day, while new mothers who feed their babies with formula need about 2,400 to 2,600 calories.

But for new mothers who have just given birth, their bodies are still in an extremely weak state, their gastrointestinal motility is poor, and their food digestion and nutrient absorption functions have not yet recovered. When taking supplements, you need to consider your physical condition and pay more attention to the specificity.

1. Brown sugar water: New mothers consume a lot of energy and physical strength during childbirth, and lose too much blood, so they urgently need to supplement a lot of iron. Brown sugar water is very suitable for the first meal after childbirth. It not only replenishes blood, but also promotes the discharge of lochia from new mothers. But don't drink too much brown sugar water. Generally speaking, it is best to eat 7 to 10 days after delivery, and then you should eat more nutritious and varied foods.

2. Eggs: If the new mother feels that her digestion is good, she can start trying eggs from the second meal. Eggs are rich in nutrients, which can help new mothers restore their strength, maintain the health of the nervous system and reduce postpartum depression. You can eat 2 to 3 eggs a day, but be sure to eat them in two meals. Boiled eggs and steamed egg custard are both good choices.

3. Millet: Millet is rich in vitamin B1 and vitamin B2, and is also high in dietary fiber. It can help new mothers restore their physical strength, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, and increase appetite.

4. Pork liver: The first week is the golden period for new mothers to discharge lochia. Prenatal edema and excess body water will also be discharged at this time. It is recommended to use pork liver as the staple food for replenishing qi and nourishing blood, about 100 grams per day is best. It is not advisable to give new mothers too much chicken soup, pigeon soup, etc., because the mammary ducts of new mothers at this time are not yet open. If they eat too well, the milk will not be easily absorbed and may even cause milk reflux.

5. Rice wine + old ginger + sesame oil: Since ancient times, there has been a tradition of using rice wine, old ginger and sesame oil to cook food for postpartum women. The function of old ginger is to dispel cold and warm the uterus to help discharge lochia. As for sesame oil, it helps the uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnancy state. However, it is important to note that once the lochia stops, the amount of sesame oil and wine used must be reduced. For new mothers who have undergone cesarean section, do not drink alcohol in the first week after delivery to avoid affecting wound healing. Only use old ginger and sesame oil.