What to eat for postpartum anemia to replenish blood
Dec 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
The main causes of postpartum anemia are iron deficiency or blood loss. To replenish iron, it is important to consume iron-rich foods along with iron supplements to promote recovery from anemia. Iron-rich foods primarily include meats such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and fish. Animal liver is also rich in iron, and consuming these foods can help red blood cells recover quickly.
In daily life, some women experience symptoms of anemia after giving birth. So, what should they eat to improve blood levels postpartum?
What to Eat for Blood Replenishment After Childbirth
The main causes of postpartum anemia are iron deficiency or blood loss. To replenish iron, it's important to take iron supplements and simultaneously consume iron-rich foods to promote recovery from anemia. Iron-rich foods mainly include meats such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and fish. Animal liver is also rich in iron, and consuming these foods can help red blood cells recover quickly. Additionally, vitamin C helps enhance iron absorption, so when eating iron-rich foods, it's beneficial to also consume foods high in vitamin C to improve iron uptake. Foods rich in vitamin C primarily include fresh vegetables and fruits. Postpartum women with anemia should eat a combination of iron-rich and vitamin C-rich foods.
For mothers suffering from postpartum anemia, inadequate nutrition and physical weakness can lead to insufficient milk production, while the iron content in breast milk decreases, affecting the baby’s absorption of essential nutrients. Severely anemic new mothers who breastfeed may increase the risk of malnutrition and reduced immunity in their infants, potentially leading to infantile anemia, diarrhea, and infectious diseases, which can negatively impact the baby’s physical growth and intellectual development—posing serious health risks. Second, it hinders maternal recovery. Childbirth consumes significant energy, leaving the body depleted after delivery. If a new mother also has anemia, the postpartum recovery period will inevitably be prolonged, slowing down overall physical recovery. Moreover, decreased immunity increases the likelihood of puerperal infections, fever, and other illnesses. Symptoms of postpartum anemia in new mothers may include fatigue, low-grade fever, physical weakness, dizziness, pale nails, lips, and eyelids, irritability, and depression.
Pay close attention to nutritional supplementation and special care for new mothers after delivery, as this greatly supports better recovery. We hope this information is helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness!
