Can I eat crayfish during the postpartum confinement period?

May 23, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, eating crawfish during the postpartum confinement period will not cause obvious discomfort for the mother. However, it is generally not recommended. Crawfish may carry bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens due to their complex living environment. Improper cooking or handling can lead to infections in postpartum women, affecting recovery and breast milk quality. Additionally, crawfish are considered to be relatively cold in nature, while postpartum women often experience deficiency of blood and qi as well as insufficient yang energy.

Under normal circumstances, eating crayfish during the postpartum confinement period (commonly known as "sitting the month") does not cause significant discomfort for the mother. However, it is generally not recommended. The detailed reasons are as follows:

Crayfish live in complex environments and may carry pathogens such as bacteria and parasites. If not properly cooked or handled, they may cause infections in the mother, affecting her physical recovery and the quality of breast milk. Crayfish are considered cold-natured in traditional Chinese medicine. After childbirth, mothers often experience deficiency of blood and Qi, as well as insufficient yang energy. Consuming cold-natured foods may interfere with the discharge of lochia, and cause gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Crayfish are also a common allergenic food. Since the mother's immune system has not fully recovered, consuming crayfish may trigger allergic reactions, which could potentially be passed to the baby through breast milk, leading to allergic symptoms in the infant such as eczema and milk crust.

Common cooking methods for crayfish often involve excessive oil, salt, and spicy seasonings, which may irritate the mother's gastrointestinal tract, causing indigestion, constipation, and other issues. These factors may also reduce the quality of breast milk and affect the infant's health. Additionally, mothers who are allergic to seafood, have weak constitutions, or experience poor postpartum recovery may experience increased physical strain from consuming crayfish, potentially triggering or worsening existing symptoms.

Diet during the postpartum confinement period should focus on balanced nutrition and easily digestible foods, avoiding overly greasy, spicy, or raw/cold foods.

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Can I eat pears during the postpartum confinement period?

Under normal circumstances, women can eat pears during the postpartum recovery period (sitting month), but it is not recommended to consume them in large quantities. When consuming pears, it is important to choose warm preparations such as steaming or stewing, and avoid eating raw or cold pears directly, to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort or worsening internal coldness. Each serving should be moderate, as excessive consumption may increase digestive burden. Gastrointestinal function is relatively weak in the early postpartum period.

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What Fruits Can Be Eaten During Postpartum Confinement?

The postpartum period usually refers to the puerperium. During this time, women can choose mild, nutritious fruits that aid in physical recovery, such as apples, bananas, papayas, cherries, and grapes. In addition to selecting appropriate fruits, postpartum dietary considerations should include portion control to avoid excessive intake at one time, as well as maintaining a balanced diet with adequate protein.

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Can I eat durian during the postpartum confinement period?

Postpartum confinement usually refers to the puerperium. In general, whether a woman can eat durian during the puerperium should be determined based on her physical condition. Those without significant discomfort and with tolerance to durian may consume it in small amounts, while those experiencing heatiness, abnormal blood sugar levels, or poor digestion are advised against eating it. Postpartum diet should focus on being light and balanced, prioritizing easily digestible and nutritionally complete foods such as lean meat and fish.

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Can I eat fruit during the postpartum confinement period?

The postpartum period usually refers to the puerperium. Under normal circumstances, fruits can be consumed during the puerperium; moderate fruit intake can supply nutrients and aid physical recovery. However, attention should be paid to selecting appropriate types and methods of consumption to avoid discomfort caused by improper eating. In daily life, women during the puerperium should maintain a balanced diet, incorporating fruits as part of their nutritional intake alongside high-quality proteins, grains, and vegetables.