How to calm nerves while breastfeeding. Symptoms and influence of external factors. How do they affect lactation and the child

Often after childbirth, the mother experiences deep stress, which affects the quantity and quality of milk. Often, premature cessation of lactation or a decrease in milk production is precisely due to strong feelings. Depression affects the well-being of both the nursing mother and the baby.

Therefore, mom should protect herself from stress as much as possible. Do not rush to take sedatives. Many of these products contain substances that are prohibited under breastfeeding. They can not only cause allergies or indigestion in a baby, but also seriously harm the development of the body.

You should also be careful about medicinal fees, as some herbs should also not be taken during lactation. For example, mint reduces the amount breast milk.

How to relieve stress after childbirth

Stress in a nursing mother occurs due to lack of sleep, worries about the newborn, lack of vitamins and free time, changes hormonal background. IN this case you need rest. With such stress, non-drug methods can easily help:

Relaxing baths;
Full sleep;
Massage;
aromatherapy;
Communication with family and friends;
Rest (reading books, watching movies, etc.);
Walk outdoors more often;
Swimming pool, light exercises in the gym, yoga classes are great to relieve stress. In addition, it will help to quickly return to the previous figure.

Psychologists advise nursing mothers not to be too demanding of themselves. Some things can be postponed, left for later. Focus on yourself and your health.

Avoid prolonged feelings of hunger - eat often, but in small portions. A strict diet in the first weeks after the birth of a baby exhausts a woman's body. However, gradually, after two or three months, you can gradually introduce new foods into the diet of a nursing mother.

A variety in the diet will saturate the body with useful elements, cheer up. After childbirth, the mother does not have enough vitamins, so it is important to gradually fill the tired body nutrients. Vitamins can be found not only in vegetables and fruits, but also in special vitamin complexes that are allowed during lactation.

Chocolate and other delicacies will cheer you up. Read more about sweets you can eat while breastfeeding here. However, always remember the dosages, especially in the first six months of a baby's life!

Sometimes mom loses milk, because of which she begins to worry even more. Remember, this is temporary! Correct balanced diet and methods of increasing lactation will help return milk.

Medications

If rest does not help, and depression progresses, then more drastic measures should be taken. Under no circumstances should the process be started. Postpartum depression requires special attention, because now every little thing and the smallest problem can piss the mother off.

There are cases when such depression develops into psychosis, which is difficult to cope even with a doctor.

But before you go to buy sedatives at the pharmacy, consult your doctor! Remember that even those allowed during breastfeeding can cause allergies or colic in the baby. After all, everyone has an individual tolerance.

Let's see what kind of sedative a nursing mother can have. These are products that contain natural plant ingredients and are the safest for the baby.

Tablets "Valerian"

They soothe, restore sleep, improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. This drug is often prescribed during pregnancy and lactation. It is excellent for sleep disorders and neurosis. At the same time, the tablets do not have negative impact on the baby.

A sedative is prescribed to drink one tablet 2-3 times a day. But when breastfeeding, the maximum dose should not be used! Therefore, it is enough to take one tablet per day. The course is no more than 10 days. In case of overdose, drowsiness, lethargy, headaches and dizziness occur.

Reception of means should be supervised by the doctor!

Tablets "Glycine"

This is one of the most safe means, which is even prescribed to infants in case of sleep disturbance and restless behavior. Therefore, nursing mothers are also recommended to drink "Glycine". The drug has a mild sedative effect, does not cause drowsiness and lethargy

The medicine is drunk one or two pieces 3 times a day. At the same time, the tablets should not be taken with water, but must be kept until completely dissolved in the mouth.

Tablets "Motherwort"

This is a natural, harmless remedy that has a sedative effect. However, it does not affect or improve sleep like Valerian does. However, one or two tablets a day already have a sedative effect. Therefore, "Motherwort" can be taken not systematically, but as needed.

Modern means

These include "Persen", "Novopassit" and many others. They relieve stress, but require special care when taking. Doctors do not recommend taking these pills while breastfeeding. And "Persen" is completely contraindicated during lactation. Also, a nursing mother is forbidden to use "Motherwort Forte" and alcohol tinctures of herbs.

Before buying any drug, be sure to read the composition of the drug. Pay attention to the date of manufacture and expiration date. Remember that a doctor should choose a sedative and prescribe a dosage!

Folk remedies: herbal preparations and teas

Often mothers prefer sedatives herbal preparations. However, these drugs should be taken with caution while breastfeeding. What sedative herbs can be drunk during lactation without harm to the baby?

Have a calming effect medicinal plants containing alkaloids and essential oils. These are mint, motherwort, valerian, passionflower and lemon balm.

The safest for breastfeeding are valerian and motherwort.

The tincture is easy to make at home. To prepare the infusion yourself, take 15 grams of dried motherwort leaves or dry root of the plant and pour a glass of boiling water. Infuse the collection for 15-20 minutes, then cool and strain. Drink this tincture before meals, one tablespoon 3 times a day

If you decide to drink herbal tea, then carefully study the composition. See what herbs are present in the product and in what quantity. good remedy will become children's teas. Although they are more suitable for babies, mom can drink such a drink too. It improves well-being and uplifts mood.

Also soothe decoctions of pharmacy dill or fennel. In addition to the calming effect, the tincture has a beneficial effect on digestion. And you can drink tea in unlimited quantities.

In the life of almost every woman there are two periods when she special attention should take care of your health. This is pregnancy and breastfeeding. The body of the baby is very sensitive to various substances coming from outside, including from mother's milk. What can a nursing mother drink?

Why is a breastfeeding mother nervous?

Some of the main causes of nervousness in breastfeeding women include:

natural hormonal changes;
family situation;
child's discomfort.

There are several reasons why women become nervous during lactation. Childbirth is always accompanied by the release of natural "hormones of happiness" - endorphins, due to which stress resistance increases and pain decreases. After a successful delivery, their level drops sharply, and the feeling of happiness is often replaced. Here it is appropriate to draw an analogy with the “withdrawal syndrome”, when a person for a long time accepts medical preparations, and then abruptly cancels them.

There is more simple reason increased nervousness. A child (especially the first-born) is a serious test for the whole family, first of all, for the mother herself. She has to radically change her lifestyle, devoting most of her time to the baby, and household chores associated with his appearance.

The husband, no matter how patient and understanding he is, is waiting for the same attention to his person, but often a young mother does not have time to communicate with her husband.

Parents of a married couple are usually obsessive in their desire to pass on to the young couple all their experience of caring for a baby.

In addition, every baby from time to time there are certain health problems. Even a minor indisposition in a child becomes a serious stress for his mother.

As a result, most nursing mothers develop pronounced nervousness, which they have to deal with, including with the help of medications.

How to deal with nervousness while breastfeeding?

The best way to stabilize the nervous system is normal quality sleep. Any person needs to sleep 6-8 hours in order for the nervous system to recover. Taking into account the fact that the baby needs to be fed at night, and besides, he can periodically cry (including due to banal reasons), a woman manages to get enough sleep, to put it mildly, infrequently. For relaxation, it is recommended to use any free minute; otherwise, not for long before a serious psycho-emotional breakdown. Physical malaise is also possible, since they are regular and quickly reduce.

note

To create a normal mood for a young mother, it is advisable to periodically turn on relaxing music (or compositions that she simply likes).

A woman needs to eat regularly. Eating, albeit briefly, can improve mood. To maintain an optimal state of the body, doctors recommend fractional nutrition- 5-6 times a day in small portions.

When there is no time and energy left for either normal sleep or regular meals, it is strongly recommended to shift at least some of the worries about the baby to the father or other close people.

By adhering to these simple rules, you can do without sedatives. Any sedatives, even created entirely on natural basis, affect the quality of breast milk, and, consequently, affect the health of the baby. Complications such as an inhibited reaction to external stimuli or even a slowdown in nervous development are not excluded.

Which specialist to contact?

Before starting any sedative nervous system, you should definitely consult with your doctor (local therapist). It is possible that the problem can be solved without sedatives.

In particular, if the cause of nervousness is hormonal imbalance, consultation and treatment at the endocrinologist is required. The cause of depression or unmotivated anxiety may be pathologies thyroid gland. Deterioration of mood also causes almost inevitable hypovitaminosis and.

Issues related to everyday difficulties are within the competence of a psychologist. A psychiatrist or psychotherapist can prescribe certain sedatives.

How to choose a safe sedative while breastfeeding?

It must be remembered that absolutely any substance can be for specific child allergen and cause severe consequences for his well-being. Before choosing any sedative drug, it is necessary to without fail consult with a specialist.

Some of the safest and most popular drugs among breastfeeding women include:

Motherwort;
"Novo-Passit";
"Persen".

An excellent sedative for lactation is herbal tea made from equal parts of nettle, lemon balm and chamomile. To prepare a drink, take 3 tsp. collection per 1 liter. water.

The hormonal restructuring of the body of a woman who has recently given birth also affects her emotional state, often irritability, tearfulness, and a tendency to tantrums appear. Constant care for a baby who needs attention all day long, worries about his health, a completely changed daily routine - possible reasons For depression with a young mother.

But stress leads to a decrease in lactation, which adds to the experience. Therefore, the conclusion is this: in some cases, a sedative during breastfeeding is a vital necessity.

How to avoid taking sedatives? Many nursing mothers are negatively disposed to taking any medications during lactation, because they can affect the baby's condition. Is it possible to do without medication?

A few rules, following which, a nursing mother can avoid taking sedatives

The need for proper sleep and rest during the day.
Night sleep should last at least eight hours, at which time lactation processes start, which means good dream- pledge successful feeding breast without any worries.

Proper nutritious nutrition.
No diet during this period is unacceptable. The daily diet should include all types of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins in the required rate. Hunger is the cause of stress and rapid fatigue.

Walks in the open air.
With a baby or on your own, if there is someone to entrust him. Spend time with your friends, go shopping, go to the movies - take some time for yourself and you will feel cheerful and full of energy.

Delegate household chores to all family members.
At least for a while, transfer some of your responsibilities to your husband or relatives. Remember that your the main task for today - to provide the baby with valuable breast milk in the required amount.

Make time for you and your husband.
Remember that you are not only a mother, but also a wife. Let the newly-made father not suffer from a lack of your attention, show him your love and care to the best of your ability. Involving him in the care of the child, doing housework together, you strengthen the family, and the minutes spent together will convince your spouse of your love for him. Talk to your husband, tell him about your fears and experiences, then there will be no place for omissions and resentment, and together you will solve all the existing problems.

Avoid conflict.
Often, family members belonging to the older generation love to teach. Listen, and do as you see fit, without wasting energy and nerves to convince someone that he is wrong. Skirmishes and conflicts can negatively affect lactation and general condition child.

When should a sedative be taken while breastfeeding?

Postpartum depression is not a whim, and requires careful attention so as not to turn into a problem that even a doctor will find it difficult to deal with. If you find it difficult to do housework, there is no one to wait for help, you sleep badly, and your baby is sick or regularly naughty, then in such cases, a sedative while breastfeeding will be a necessity.

Anxiety and irritability can be caused by health problems: hormone imbalances or thyroid disorders, as well as vitamin deficiencies or anemia. Therefore, you should not swallow sedatives uncontrollably, it is better to tell a specialist about your problems, who will prescribe an adequate drug. Most likely, in such cases, not sedatives will help, but completely different drugs aimed at treating a specific disease.

What sedative while breastfeeding is allowed?

Not all sedatives will be harmless to a newborn baby. For nursing mothers, the doctor usually prescribes remedies based on herbal extracts: valerian tablets, Persen, Novopassit.

During breastfeeding, infusions of valerian, lemon balm, motherwort will help to calm down. Use infusions with caution peppermint, as it is known for its milk-suppressing action.

Fennel, in addition to a calming effect, has a bright lactagon effect. Dill water, which helps newborns from colic, is prepared just from this plant. Therefore, using this plant for a soothing infusion will be a good solution.

How to take sedatives?

Start taking the drug with the smallest dosages. If one remedy doesn't work, switch to another. A competent doctor will always tell you which remedy will be most appropriate for you.

Calming agents are not suitable medicinal decoctions- take a relaxing herbal bath or essential oils which are famous for their antidepressant properties.

A constant feeling of anxiety and tearfulness should not be ignored, so that they do not result in a severe nervous breakdown. Fight negative emotions, ask your family for help, don't worry constantly for no reason, get as much rest as possible, and remember - now your health and good mood are important not only to you, but also to your child.

The mental and emotional state of the mother during lactation is extremely important factor. And this is not a question of philosophy or pedagogy, but pure physiology: adrenaline, produced adrenal glands during stress, suppresses one of the two most important hormones that provide normal feeding breast - oxytocin. With a decrease in the amount of this hormone, milk production becomes much more difficult, which causes a new stressful condition, again entailing the production of adrenaline.

To get out of the vicious circle, a woman can resort to drug treatment, and then the question arises: how safe is the sedative for nursing mothers and their babies? In this article, we will talk about the most popular sedatives that moms can take, as well as how to improve well-being without resorting to medication.

Why is mom nervous?

Childbirth is always accompanied by a strong release of endorphins - chemical compounds that cause a feeling of happiness, euphoria, relieve stress and pain. However, after childbirth, the synthesis of endorphins decreases sharply, and a feeling of boundless happiness can turn into depression. That is, a typical withdrawal syndrome occurs, known to many of those who were forced to drink medication for a long time, and then abruptly stop treatment.

The reason may be more prosaic, related to the psychology of a woman. The appearance of a child, no matter how long-awaited it may be, is always a test for the family, especially if it is the first.

The husband yearns for the same attention, the parents are obsessive in their desire to teach the young mother all the intricacies of caring for the child, the slightest indisposition in the baby becomes a headache for the mother.

It is not surprising that the woman loses her nerves.

How to deal with irritability or depression during breastfeeding?

Pledge of stable emotional state And the best treatment depression - good sleep. No matter how stressful and busy the mom’s daily routine is, she needs to get enough sleep (at least 7.5 hours, as determined by the participants of the World Congress on Sleep Medicine).

Often to maintain Have a good mood It is enough to turn on relaxing music from time to time. Otherwise, a woman’s illness can be added to all the worries, since both depression and insomnia reduce immunity.

Next important point A: A woman should not skip meals. It is well known that after eating, albeit not for long, but the mood rises. If there is no time left for either sleep or regular meals, it is necessary to delegate some of the worries to the father or relatives.

Following this simple advice help improve mental condition women are more effective and, most importantly, safer than a sedative. After all, a rash reception sedatives affects the quality of milk and the health of the newborn: in particular, it slows down his nervous system, and in the worst case, disrupts development. Before taking any sedatives, the mother should consult a doctor.

Who will help?

A purely biological cause of anxiety or depression can be a hormonal imbalance caused, for example, by thyroid diseases.

Vitamin deficiency also affects mood. reduced level hemoglobin, which is often observed after childbirth. Starting to take in this case sedative pills or drink tinctures, a woman will not only not solve her problems, she will also let the main ailment take its course. Correct solution in this case, an examination by a therapist. After all necessary analyzes he will prescribe a treatment for the present illness or, if necessary, refer the patient to another doctor: for example, to an endocrinologist.

If with physical condition everything is guaranteed to be in order, but depression does not recede, you can turn to a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist for help.

What is the difference between these specialists:

The task of a psychologist is to listen and help resolve life's difficulties. Due to the fact that he received a humanitarian, and not a medical education, he does not have the right to prescribe or even advise taking any medication.
A psychiatrist can both advise and treat with medication, and even forcibly hospitalize a person, but he does not have the right to interfere in the patient's life in the way that a psychologist does.
The psychotherapist, on the other hand, combines both of the above professions: his widest knowledge of the human psyche allows him to treat patients with both drug and non-drug methods.

Which sedative to choose?

Before taking any (even natural) sedative during lactation, you should definitely consult a doctor. The most popular among nursing mothers are the following drugs:

motherwort;
"Persen";
"Novo-Passit";
various homeopathic remedies.

Motherwort

The drug can be found in the form of infusion and tablets, and its active ingredient is the plant of the same name - Motherwort heart. The drug is characterized by the absence side effects except in cases of allergy to it. The sedative effect of motherwort appears very slowly, and often a noticeable effect becomes noticeable only in the third week of admission.

Caution in the treatment of motherwort should be observed for the reason that it has not been studied for the ability to change the properties of milk and through it to have a sedative effect on the child. When breastfeeding, it is better to abandon the regular intake of this remedy and use low doses. Preference should be given to motherwort in tablets - alcohol from tinctures impairs milk production.

Valerian

Perhaps the most famous of the sedative drugs. The active substance is the stems and roots of Valerian officinalis (also known as Cat Grass). The tool has no side effects for the user, but it is still unknown if it has any effect on the child.

Thus, the medical web directory E-Lactancia named valerian extract as a drug with unproven positive influence per person. Another source, Medicines and Mother's Milk by Thomas Hale, notes that valerian can be taken while breastfeeding, but with caution. The maximum dose should not exceed 9 ml liquid or 2 grams dry. Otherwise, the opposite effect is possible: insomnia, nervousness, anxiety. When used during breastfeeding, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the child for some time.

"Persen"

Phytocomplex containing two of the above plants - motherwort, valerian, as well as peppermint. The instructions for the drug indicate the undesirability of its use during breastfeeding. It is believed that mint inhibits milk production, but this information has not been experimentally confirmed. However, mint is on the list of plants that can be taken with great care during lactation, as menthol passes into breast milk, lowers blood pressure and negatively affects the baby's heart rate.

"Novo-Passit"

Herbal preparation, which includes seven medicinal plants:

valerian;
hawthorn;
Melissa;
hop;
St. John's wort;
passionflower;
elder.

The instruction says that treatment with Novo-Passit during breastfeeding is prohibited, although there is no information on the penetration of active substances into breast milk.

Glycine

By itself, glycine is an amino acid, i. is contained in the composition of proteins and is an absolutely natural substance for humans. His medical application very versatile. Glycine:

improves sleep;
relieves fatigue;
eliminates nervousness;
improves mental work;
normalizes metabolism.

Breastfeeding experts do not object to the use of glycine during lactation. Although a small proportion of the substance after its use by the mother will be passed on to the child with milk, it is not capable of harming him. However, even before taking glycine, you should consult your doctor.

Homeopathic preparations

More or less well-known of them - " Valerianahel"And" Nervohel"- are made in the form of drops and tablets. As in the case of Motherwort, tablets are preferable for the reason that they do not contain alcohol, which is not recommended for lactation. The dose of active substances in these preparations ranges from D4 to D12, which means that even one molecule of the herb is not present in the drug granule. Although such a tiny dose does not chemical exposure on the body, the placebo effect (belief in the effectiveness of the drug) does produce an improvement. Such granules are taken three times a day one hour after a meal or 30 minutes before it. In the evening, it is best to take the drug before going to bed.

Conclusion

Let's summarize all of the above. If a depressive state occurs, first of all, you can try to solve the problem in a non-drug way:

normalize sleep, rest and nutrition;
find time for hobbies and entertainment;
shift some of the responsibilities onto the shoulders of relatives.

If this did not give a tangible effect, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a therapist, as well as consult a psychologist / psychiatrist. You can use sedatives (even from the list of permitted breastfeeding) or sleeping pills to your mother only after consulting a doctor.

Hormonal imbalance, lifestyle changes, weakened immunity - all these factors affect the psycho-emotional background of a lactating woman. She becomes irritable, mood swings occur, and this makes it difficult to focus on caring for the newborn. Yes, and the child feels a change in the mood of the mother.

The danger is that during stress, adrenaline is produced, which inhibits the production of oxytocin, a hormone that ensures normal lactation. With a decrease in its concentration in the blood, the volume of breast milk decreases. This causes new stress in the mother, as a result of which adrenaline is again produced. break this vicious circle only medicines will help.

Persen is a popular herbal drug that has a sedative and antispasmodic effect. How safe is a sedative for lactation? More on this later.

Basic information

The components of the drug reduce the activity of the central nervous system, eliminate irritability and make it easier to fall asleep. The drug is produced in the form of tablets and capsules, which include the following components:

valerian (dry extract);
Melissa;
peppermint;
magnesium stearate;
talc;
corn flour;
povidone;
milk sugar;
pyrogenic silicon dioxide;
cellulose microcrystalline.

According to the instructions, Persen soothes, eliminates spasm of smooth muscles. Due to the complex effect of the components, the drug has a mild sedative effect.

Valerian and lemon balm reduce the reaction to external stimuli, have an antispasmodic effect. Peppermint has a mild sedative effect and relaxes smooth muscles.

As a result, the drug eliminates anxiety, anxiety, irritability. Persen gently soothes a person who is in a state of nervous tension. The drug improves the quality of sleep at night, but does not cause drowsiness during the day.

Persen is prescribed in the following cases:

Neurotic disorders, which are accompanied by irritability, anxiety, insomnia.
Syndrome of withdrawal of potent drugs with a sedative effect.
Cardiopsychoneurosis.
Psychosomatic disorders (for prevention).

Before use, consult a doctor.

Dosage

Application method medicinal product oral. The drug can be taken before or after meals. Swallow the tablet or capsule with filtered water.

The exact dosage is prescribed by the doctor after establishing the diagnosis. There is a standard regimen for patients 12 years of age and older - 2 or 3 tablets twice or thrice a day.

The daily dose of the drug for insomnia is 2 or 3 tablets in the evening half an hour or an hour before bedtime. It is strictly forbidden to consume more than 12 capsules in 24 hours.

The duration of the therapeutic course is also determined by the doctor. Treatment lasts no longer than 6 weeks in a row. After the end of therapy, there is no withdrawal syndrome.

special instructions

Persen, like any medication, has a number of contraindications:

Fructosemia;
Malabsorption of sucrose-isomaltose;
Glucose-galactose intolerance;
Hypolactasia;
Diseases of the biliary tract (dyskinesia, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, etc.);
Hypotension;
Pregnancy;
Patients under 12 years of age;
Hypersensitivity to the main or auxiliary components.

According to the instructions, Persen is taken under the supervision of a doctor by lactating women, as well as patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Side effects rarely develop, more often due to individual intolerance to the components of the drug. As a result, there are allergic reactions: redness of the skin on the limbs, abdomen or back, rash, swelling.

Sometimes anaphylaxis or bronchospasm develops. With prolonged use, constipation, nausea, bouts of vomiting, diarrhea occur.

With an unreasonable increase in dosage (more than 60 tablets), nausea, weakness, pupil dilation, dizziness, abdominal pain, and tremor appear. To eliminate the symptoms, symptomatic treatment is prescribed.

Persen for a nursing mother

As the instructions say, Persen is not recommended for breastfeeding. This is due to the presence of peppermint extract in the preparation, which is undesirable for lactating women. Doctors say that mint disrupts lactation and reduces milk production.

In addition, peppermint, namely menthol, is absorbed into the blood and enters the milk. This substance is dangerous for the newborn, it helps to reduce blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias.

If the drug cannot be replaced by another, the child at the time of treatment must be transferred to artificial feeding. So you can protect the baby from dangerous side effects, but you risk disrupting lactation.