Is it possible to go to the bathhouse while breastfeeding? Is it possible for a nursing mother to go to the bathhouse: expert opinion

The birth of a baby is one of the most long-awaited and happiest events in the life of every woman, which radically changes the life of a young mother. And now the young mother is directing all her efforts to improve production breast milk and provide your baby with the necessary nutrients. Many breastfeeding women wonder whether it is worth completely giving up their favorite habits. For example, is it possible for a nursing mother to go to the bathhouse, and will the sauna cause harm?

Visiting a bathhouse or sauna is a great way to relax, spend time exclusively with yourself, and take care of the beauty of your body.

Many girls loved visiting these establishments before pregnancy, and the period of breastfeeding is no exception. Let's consider whether a nursing mother can go to the bathhouse, and whether she should give up her favorite habits.

Bathhouse at breastfeeding useful for female body. The positive properties of a Russian bath or sauna can be listed for a long time, but we will limit ourselves to a few points:

Regularly taking a steam bath is recommended for various skin problems that often bother young mothers after childbirth. Warmth and high humidity have the most positive effect on the condition of the skin of the face and body, since through enlarged pores the active components of cosmetic preparations penetrate into the very depths of the tissues.

That is why when visiting a bathhouse or sauna, it is recommended to use various cosmetics: professional, homemade. They penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, restoring its firmness, tone and elasticity, smoothing out wrinkles and restoring youth and beauty to the skin.

Bath while breastfeeding

Answering the question: is it possible for a young mother to take a steam bath or sauna, doctors assure - of course, it is possible! But only if the woman often went to these establishments before pregnancy, since the period of breastfeeding is not the best time for such experiments.

Visiting baths or saunas during breastfeeding is possible, but only if the nursing woman has no contraindications, the main ones being the following:

• any diseases of the cardiovascular system or sudden fluctuations in blood pressure.

• Increased body temperature.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Breastfeeding. This is a serious contraindication to visiting baths if a young mother is suspected of congestion in the mammary glands. Keeping your breasts at elevated temperatures can only make the situation worse.

To replenish lost fluid after bath procedures, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. But nursing mothers should remember that any carbonated or alcohol-containing drinks are contraindicated for them. Therefore, during breastfeeding, it is best for young mothers to consume non-carbonated mineral water, teas, fruit drinks, compotes, herbal infusions.

Rules for visiting baths and saunas during lactation

Before visiting a bathhouse or sauna, you must consult your doctor and get his permission. If the birth took place naturally, you can visit the steam room immediately after the cessation of postpartum vaginal discharge.

If a woman has had a caesarean section, it is recommended to postpone the first trip to the bathhouse or sauna for 2-3 months. In addition, it is best for nursing mothers to visit the bathhouse in the warm season. In winter, the sharp contrast between high temperatures indoors and low temperatures outside can lead to the most undesirable consequences for the female body.

After performing bath procedures, a nursing mother needs to carefully monitor the amount of breast milk. If it has sharply decreased, you should stop visiting baths and saunas for 2-3 months. In addition, you need to go to the steam room only when the mammary gland is completely empty; for this, you need to breastfeed the baby before going.

What a nursing mother needs to remember when visiting a bathhouse:

• The body of a nursing woman may react in an unexpected way to the high temperature in the steam room, and therefore a young mother is under no circumstances recommended to go to the bathhouse alone. There must be a person nearby who can provide first aid if necessary.

• The mammary glands need additional protection: a bra made of natural cotton is perfect for this purpose.
• The time spent in the steam room should not exceed 10 minutes. A nursing mother is allowed to repeat 2-3 sessions of 10 minutes each.

A visit to a bathhouse or sauna is an excellent relaxing and strengthening procedure that increases immunity and improves a woman’s well-being. It is enough just to follow a few rules, and visiting a bathhouse or sauna will bring a lot of benefits to the body of both the mother and the newborn.

How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth?

My son is 6 months old, he is completely on breastfeeding, there is enough milk, he has never used formula. Now, however, they have already begun to introduce complementary foods.

Surely some of you, especially lovers of baths/saunas, were not advised by grandmothers and various well-wishers, or were even strictly forbidden to go there. Like the milk will disappear. I’ll tell you about my experience of attending warming procedures during lactation.

I didn’t go to the sauna throughout my pregnancy, I was afraid of overheating the baby, and the gynecologist forbade it. I miss you terribly, I love this business very much. Therefore, as the stitches healed after the cesarean section, I began to slowly lead my usual lifestyle.

My first visit was a anti-cellulite wraps in the amount of 2 procedures. What was done: the whole body was smeared with a special tonic gel, then this body was placed in a thermal blanket for 45 minutes at a temperature of 40 degrees C. Oh, how I was sweating in this blanket, it was very hot, at the end of the procedure I just wanted to throw it off yourself and into the shower. I did two wraps a week apart. Lactation crisis didn't keep me waiting! There was actually less milk. True, this coincided with 1. three months of birth. my son - the little boy’s appetite had grown greatly and he was no longer full of the amount of milk that I had; 2. With the hot weather, the child wanted water, not warm milk. As a result, we were screaming from hunger for three days, but I never gave the formula (although I really wanted to). Then the milk came, so much so that I pumped for days. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not.

The second experience was pressotherapy. The most pleasant procedure, I recommend it to everyone, it’s very relaxing. They put you in a special suit, similar to an astronaut's suit, and you lie there for 40 minutes and have fun. Waves run across the suit, it contracts and unclenches, while it still warms slightly in the infrared range. Already within the 5th minute of being in the suit, milk started pouring out. And then 3 more times in 40 minutes my chest turned to stone. At home we were choking on milk. In general, the conclusion is this: pressotherapy improves lactation.

And finally, third. Every week starting from the 5th month after giving birth I started going to the sauna. Temperature in the steam room 90 degrees. First, I consulted with a gynecologist. A competent doctor's opinion: you cannot stay in the steam room for more than 2-3 minutes, this is thermal stress for the body, as a result, stress hormones, such as prolactin, jump and lactation comes to naught. My experience: I love steaming, so at my own peril and risk, starting from 2 minutes, I gradually began to increase the time I spent in the steam room to 10 minutes. And you know, lactation has become better, I again felt milk coming in during my stay in the sauna. I return home after the bath with my breasts full.

Today, baths and saunas are very popular among men and women of different age categories. Indeed, this is a great way to relax, forget about the hustle and bustle of hard everyday life, chat with friends/colleagues, and also improve your health. Women who have recently given birth do not want to be left behind either. Is it possible for a nursing mother to take a steam bath? You will find the answer to this and other questions in this article.

The benefits of a bath for a nursing mother

The beneficial effects of the bath on the human body have long been proven. Breastfeeding women are no exception. The combination of high temperature and high humidity increases sweat production, which has a positive effect on health. The benefits of bath procedures during lactation are as follows:

• normalization of blood circulation;
• stimulation of the heart muscle;
• improvement of metabolism;
• removal of waste and toxins;
• strengthening the immune system;
• prevention of colds and respiratory diseases;
• relieving nervous tension;
• improving the condition of the skin;
• increased vitality;
• activation of kidney function;
• getting rid of extra pounds.

The main condition for a nursing mother when visiting a bathhouse or sauna is a reasonable approach, and then you will be provided with a boost of energy for a long time, a lot of positive emotions and pleasant impressions.

How does high temperature affect lactation?

There is an opinion that increased air temperature negatively affects the quality of breast milk. However, this is a misconception, since milk in the breast cannot deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, a nursing mother is not prohibited from visiting a bathhouse or sauna while breastfeeding.

It has been proven that special temperature conditions and high humidity stimulate lactation. A nursing woman needs to be prepared for the fact that the flow of milk may greatly increase, even to the point of spontaneous leakage. Therefore, mommy should arm herself with a clean towel specifically designed for the mammary glands. This can be avoided provided that before going to the bathhouse, you feed the baby to the fullest; pumping is also allowed.

It is equally important to feed the baby/express milk after visiting the bathhouse to prevent it from stagnating.

The opposite consequences cannot be excluded: high temperature air leads to increased sweating, as a result of which dehydration of the body is possible and, as a result, a decrease in breast milk production. To prevent water imbalance, you need to drink plenty of water while in the bathhouse.

If these conditions are met, high temperature and high humidity will not harm breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Staying in a bath/sauna is not always considered a harmless and safe procedure for a nursing mother. There are a number of contraindications to taking water procedures in conditions of high air temperature and humidity, especially in the postpartum period. These include:

1. the presence of pathologies of the cardiovascular system, including arterial hypertension;
2. increased body temperature;
3. bronchial asthma;
4. acute phase of inflammatory processes;
5. exacerbation of respiratory pathologies;
6. disorders of the central nervous system, mental disorders;
7. various inflammations of the skin;
8. bleeding, including menstrual bleeding;
9. stagnation of breast milk (lactostasis) or inflammation in the mammary gland (mastitis).

Heating the body in the presence of the above pathological processes can only aggravate the situation.

Since the heart and blood vessels are under heavy load during pregnancy, it is difficult to predict how the female body will behave in a bathhouse. Therefore, women who have not previously visited a bathhouse/sauna should not experiment. Experts advise refraining from bath procedures during lactation.

If a nursing mother has sufficient experience in visiting a bathhouse, then feeling good you can visit the bathhouse.

When should you start visiting the bathhouse after childbirth?

Despite the obvious benefits of bath procedures for a nursing mother’s body, she should not visit a bathhouse or sauna in the first month after giving birth. Permission to go to these institutions depends on the woman’s well-being and on how the delivery took place - naturally or by caesarean section.

During the normal course of the birth process, a woman can visit the bathhouse after vaginal discharge stops and the damaged mucous membranes have healed completely. On average, this process lasts 1.5 – 2 months and depends on individual characteristics the mother's body. Visiting the bathhouse is dangerous due to the penetration of infection through the slightly open cervix. Gynecologists allow a nursing mother to steam only after the vaginal discharge has completely stopped.

Breastfeeding specialists warn mothers in labor that during the postpartum period, mature milk is formed after 10-20 days, and lactation is established only by 3 months of the child’s life. Therefore, they believe that the first visit to the bathhouse should take place no earlier than 3 months after birth. In addition, this is possible provided that the woman regularly visited such establishments before giving birth.

If you have had a cesarean section, you should not visit the steam room until the postoperative scar has completely healed. This is usually 2-3 months after surgery and depends on the individual characteristics of the body. This will protect against infection.

Do not forget that nursing mothers are allowed to visit the bathhouse/sauna only once a week.

If you have no experience of being at elevated temperatures and humidity (if the woman has never visited a bathhouse before giving birth), it is better to postpone the event for a longer time (not earlier than 9 months after birth).

Rules for visiting a bathhouse/sauna during lactation

Carrying a child, childbirth, postpartum recovery are complex processes that provoke change hormonal levels and weakening of the female body. A visit to the bathhouse can cause malaise, surges in blood pressure, dizziness, and increased heart rate. To avoid such conditions, you should follow certain rules visiting a bathhouse during lactation.

Visiting time

The duration of stay in the steam room should not exceed 5-7 minutes. Several short approaches are preferable, for example 2-3.

Temperature compliance

At first, it is better to visit the steam room at a low temperature, followed by a gradual increase. It is better to choose baths in which it is possible to regulate the air temperature.

Drink plenty of fluids

Since a lot of liquid is lost in the bath (this condition is dangerous for a nursing mother), you should drink more liquid. Dehydration can cause suppression of lactation and a deterioration in the general well-being of the mother. Therefore, before the bath, while in the steam room and after visiting it, you should drink more liquid. Preference should be given to non-carbonated drinking water, green tea, berry fruit drinks, freshly squeezed juice, milk drinks.

Feed your baby before visiting the bath/sauna to free up the mammary glands. As described above, high temperature stimulates lactation. To prevent spontaneous flow of milk, cover your breasts with a cotton sheet/towel.

Shoes

Make sure your feet are wearing non-slip shoes. This will prevent falls and protect against hypothermia.

Headdress

The head must be covered. The optimal solution is a special felt bath cap or a scarf made of natural fabric.

Eating

You cannot visit the steam room on an empty or full stomach. It is advisable to eat an hour before visiting the bathhouse.

Time of year

It is recommended to plan trips to the bathhouse/sauna during the warm season. This will prevent hypothermia in the nursing mother's body. If it's cold, then take care warm clothes and carefully cover the mammary glands.

You cannot visit the bathhouse alone. There must be an accompanying person, since the body of a nursing mother is unstable, and the most unpredictable situations may arise.

The main thing is to listen to your body and at the slightest deterioration in your health, refuse to visit the bathhouse.

What should you take with you?

When going to the bathhouse, a nursing woman, in addition to the basic bath accessories (towel, change of linen, soap, washcloth, shampoo, etc.), must prepare the following set of things, the presence of which is strictly necessary:

1. hat and slippers (this is described above);
2. a towel/diaper for the breast, which in case of increased lactation will help remove excess breast milk;
3. a first aid kit containing ammonia, medications to lower blood pressure, as well as other essential supplies;
4. a sheet ironed (especially important when visiting a public institution).

Can I take a broom?

It is allowed to have a broom made from gentle species of deciduous trees, for example, aspen, birch, oak). Medical professionals are dubious about the use of this attribute during lactation, as it can cause an increase in blood pressure. However, if before giving birth a woman was an avid steam bather who does not accept a bath without a broom, then one can be used during breastfeeding. It is important to avoid sudden movements, do not whip hard, limit yourself to light pats and try not to touch the mammary glands.

What to avoid

Fans of extreme sports, there are many of them among mothers, are interested in whether during the lactation period after a steam room they can dive into a cool pool, an ice hole, wipe themselves with snow or douse themselves with cold water.

Breastfeeding specialists and medical workers unanimously give a negative answer. They explain this by saying that sudden changes in temperature can provoke vascular spasm, which contributes to blockage of the milk ducts. This is fraught with the development of lactostasis.

It is enough to take a warm shower after the steam room. Possible use contrast shower, while the chest area should be protected from hypothermia.

Carrying out cosmetic procedures

Visiting the bathhouse is not only good for health, it is also great way tidy up the body and face, since maximally open pores contribute to maximum impact cosmetics. This is especially true in postpartum period when mommy gets stretch marks, age spots, cellulite. The use of folk remedies for care.

It is better to prepare masks, scrubs, lotions and creams in advance. Do not use products with aggressive chemical composition, since chemicals can penetrate into the milk through open pores. It is better to use natural ingredients that are available to every housewife.

To care for your body, you can make a scrub from coarse coffee, cinnamon, sugar, and sea salt. It is enough to mix these components with olive oil, cream or honey.

As nourishing mask For a face suitable for any skin type, you can use a mixture of sour cream, olive oil and egg yolk.

To strengthen your hair, just apply kefir to it, leave it for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off.

When using funds traditional medicine Pay attention to any allergies. To do this, test the product on a small area of ​​skin. If there is no redness, continue cosmetic procedures If an allergic reaction occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor.

A bathhouse for a nursing woman is an excellent way to improve the health of the body and keep the body in good shape. It is important for a young mother to approach visiting this establishment wisely: to be attentive to her well-being and listen to the recommendations of experienced specialists.

Visiting a bathhouse during lactation is a controversial issue that worries steam room lovers. After all, with the birth of a baby, there are already many changes in life, and it is simply unthinkable to deny yourself all the pleasures.

Our people have long loved the bathhouse - this tradition has been preserved to this day, but not as the main one. water procedure, as before, but rather as a hobby. I would like, as before, to allow myself to take a steam bath at least once a week, especially since this procedure has an excellent effect on the nervous and immune system, which is very important for young mothers.

But not all mothers know whether it is possible to go to the bathhouse while breastfeeding. If a woman was a frequent visitor to the bath complex before pregnancy, then no one will forbid her to go there after the baby is born. There is no risk, either for the mother or the baby, that hot steam will spoil the milk. Quite the opposite - thermal procedures have a very positive effect on lactation and milk production.

Steamed skin acquires unique smoothness and radiance. The pores are cleansed of all kinds of impurities, and waste and toxins are removed from the body. A woman who regularly visits the bathhouse feels an increase in vitality, she is always in a great mood, which means that the baby of such a mother is also happy.

We found out whether it is possible to go to the bathhouse during lactation, and received a positive answer. But you still need to approach this matter wisely. Here's what a new mother needs to know:

1. You can visit the bathhouse for the first time only two months after giving birth. At this time, postpartum discharge finally ends and the woman’s well-being returns to normal.
2. The first time, five minutes in the steam room will be enough so that after a break the body does not react inadequately to a sharp jump in temperature.
3. Since a woman intensively loses moisture in a bath, this can affect the amount of milk, especially if there were problems with it before. Therefore, before visiting the steam room, you need to drink warm tea. During the time that the young mother spends in the bathhouse, there should be several such tea parties so that the steam room does not harm lactation.
4. What you should beware of in a bathhouse is a contrasting douche of cold water or an ice bath after a steam room. Of course, it will not be easy to give up this, but due to the sharp temperature change, the risk of lactostasis is very high.

Women who have doubts about whether it is possible to go to the bathhouse while breastfeeding can be advised to talk to a doctor, undergo an examination, and get tested. Having received an affirmative answer, you can safely visit the steam room.

In the first days after giving birth, many girls are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to go to the bathhouse while breastfeeding. It is impossible to give a definite answer to this question, since everything depends on your physiological state. After reading this article, you will learn whether a nursing mother can go to the bathhouse and what safety measures must be followed.

Pregnant women constantly have to deal with all sorts of myths about the benefits and harms of baths, haircuts and hair coloring. In fact, all these procedures are not prohibited; the main thing is to observe certain precautions. By following the recommendations of qualified specialists, you will stop worrying about whether a nursing mother can go to the sauna.

When can you go to the bathhouse after childbirth?

The bathhouse is one of effective ways hardening the body. It helps strengthen the immune system and also fight seasonal colds. Many girls complain that during pregnancy they had to deal with varicose veins. While going to the bathhouse, vascular tone increases, which helps to put your veins in order.
If you suffer from headaches or muscle pain, then by visiting the bathhouse you can increase the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus and reduce muscle tension. This will help eliminate the need to take antispasmodic and painkillers.
Experts believe that the best time to go to the bathhouse for the first time is 6-8 weeks after giving birth. Until this point, you may be bothered by postpartum discharge (lochia), so steaming at this time is not recommended. You should not visit a bathhouse or sauna if you observe such signs as:

• dizziness,
• migraine,
• difficulty breathing,
• rapid heartbeat.

For your first visit, it is better to choose a bathhouse with a low temperature (up to 85°C) and high humidity. This will help speed up the sweating process and maintain good health.

When visiting a bathhouse during lactation, you must observe the following safety measures:

• be sure to cover your head with special felt hats;
• drink water or herbal infusions before, during and after visiting the bath;
• after the bath, cool your body with a douche or swim in the pool;
• try to spend as little time as possible in the steam room;
• For hygiene and safety reasons, use special bedding and rubber slippers.

Felt hats are sold in specialized stores. They will help you not to overheat your head while visiting the steam room. By drinking plenty of fluids, you can improve the process of sweating, thereby quickly removing salts and toxins from the body. It is best to visit the sauna once a week to help the body relax and cleanse itself of toxins accumulated during this time.