Is there anything over the counter or from the natural foods market that I can take to reduce the swelling in my feet and legs due to I am nursing a new baby??
Everyone's answers were great & on target. I finally got in contact with a friend (out of state) that is a homeopathic doctor & asked the same question. She said to drink water at least 3 times a day, eat an orange & gave me other fruits and vegetables like some of you named. The baby is one week today & I had a C-section due to the swelling. So I am having someone go to the store today to pick up needed things so I can feel better & enjoy my new little angel more. (If that is possible) :) Will let everyone know in a few days how things are progressing. Thank you so much for answering me back so quickly. I was panicking.
More water in = more water out. You need to drink more water and cut down on salt. Elevate your feet. You shouldn't be doing much of anything after having a baby, this is probably your body's way of telling you that you are doing too much and you need more rest. You can't take care of your baby if you don't take care of yourself :)
Go check your BP NOW!!!!! You may have postpartum preeclampsia. If you have headaches, blurred vision, you need to seek medical attention at an ER now.
I had this after my last delivery I ended up in ICU for extreme high blood pressure.
I'd check your BP and see what it is at
I would get it checked out. My feet swelled like crazy and I couldn't even wear flip flops about a week after the delivery. Despite my husband's demands that I go see the doctor, I ignored it and just elevated them. the swelling went away, but one month post delivery I had a seizure or passed out (I am not sure which) in the middle of a store. My blood pressure was 190/130. 7 months later and I am still struggling with the blood pressure. The swollen feet was my clue that I had post partum hypertension, which is rare when you didn't have any problems in the pregnancy (this was as smooth a pregnancy and delivery as you can get.) So please show your doctor your feet.
Elevation, Ice, Asparagus
The last month of my pregnancy really swelled up my feet and legs and they stayed that way till about 2-3 weeks after delivery.
I was holding a lot of water.
I lost 20 lbs giving birth and in the next 2 weeks I lost another 20 lbs and the swelling gradually went away.
Drink lots of water to help your kidneys flush the extra fluid from your body.
The hospital gave a water bottle to every new Mom and said you should drink a whole bottle of water every time you nursed - which was often.
I had to wear compression socks for a few weeks but they helped a lot.
call your lactation consultant too see what you can take while breastfeeding. Im guessing the swelling is water retention which is totally normal and temporary after having a baby. but, you could try intaking less salt and actually drinking MORE water. You can also soak your feet in epsom salt in the tub or a large bowl as well. If its really serious there are over the counter water pills like Diurex but the main ingredient in that is caffiene and it may upset your new baby, I'd call the lactation consultant first.
Good luck S.!
I'm a little worried for you, S.. This could be the sign of really high blood pressure. Your brain could even be water-logged. (My doctor said that - I remember it because it sounded so strange!)
Please go get checked. The last thing you want is to stroke out with that new little baby!
Dawn
Pick up a pair of compression stockings at the pharmacy or medical supply store or ask your doctor to order some for you. They will help your circulation and help decrease the swelling. Elevate your feet whenever you are sitting down. Avoid salty foods and drink plenty of water.
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Pick up a pair of compression stockings at the pharmacy or medical supply store or ask your doctor to order some for you. They will help your circulation and help decrease the swelling. Elevate your feet whenever you are sitting down. Avoid salty foods and drink plenty of water.
Have you tried elevating your feet above your heart level, especially while nursing, and at least 3x a day for a minimum of 20 minutes? Nursing should provide plenty of opportunity.
How old is your baby? Did you have an epidural? My feet swelled something horrible after an epidural. I could not get any shoes on my feet. Only flip flops.
Drink lots of tea and cranberry juice to help your kidneys along.
I had the same problem with my now 2 month old. I was going on 2weeks no improvement. I was thinking postbpartum eclampsia but i had a bp machine at home and i checked often and readings were perfectly normal. Then someone recommended cranberry juice (the real stuff not the cocktail) and water. The swelling was down in 2 days. I was shocked and relieved it worked. Hope you find relief soon...
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I had the same problem with my now 2 month old. I was going on 2weeks no improvement. I was thinking postbpartum eclampsia but i had a bp machine at home and i checked often and readings were perfectly normal. Then someone recommended cranberry juice (the real stuff not the cocktail) and water. The swelling was down in 2 days. I was shocked and relieved it worked. Hope you find relief soon...
S., your post is concerning. I am all for natural remedies, but this is truly something you should talk with your MD about. I am assuming you have an MD since you indicated in your post that you had a C-section. Post-partum swelling can be a dangerous sign of complications following major surgery. Swelling is NOT a problem caused by breastfeeding. There is no such thing as a homeopathic "doctor" - the use of that name is a misnomer. There are NO MD programs in homeopathy, although some MD's do incorporate alternative medicine into their practice. Please make sure you are getting reliable care from a board certified MD as post-partum swelling can be a cause for concern.
You are probably a little over weight yet, its SUMMER and hot, heat can make you swell.
You sit a lot when you have a new baby so you arent circulating well.
Really, really watch your salt intake.
Drink lots of water. Dehydration will make you swell. You need plenty of water to produce milk.
Move around, walking will alleviate ankle swelling.
When you are sitting and nursing, elevate your feets.
This happened to me after I delivered my son. My feet and legs were sooo swollen I couldn't wear shoes or anything. They also became rashy too after a few days so I went to the doctor and he told me to take Benadryl and the swelling went down after a little while. I was also nursing at the time too.
I had a crazy birth w/pitosin and then drugs to stop my labor while they waited for the anesth. to perform the c section. so my legs and feet were really swollen after my daughter and the dr. said it was a norm reaction from all the medication they had given me. the only thing i did was keep my feet up and rub lotion on them. eventually it went away and if i remember correctly i think it took a month! congrats on your new baby!
Water and stay out of the heat as much as possible.
Drink water, walk- to get the fluids moving, and put your feet above your heart for a few minutes every few hours.
Call your OBGYN.
Preeclampsia sometimes strikes postpartum, and swelling can be a symptom. My SIL had to be put on a diuretic and blood pressure meds after delivery due to preclampsia- her main symptom was swelling after delivery, she didn't even know her blood pressure was high until she went to the doctor.
I also know one lady who experienced peripartum cardiomyapathy. Her main symptoms were swelling and weakness weeks postpartum. Her BP was low and she had to be on meds for months until her heart recovered.
