What foods should be avoided during postpartum confinement?

Generally speaking, there are no absolute dietary restrictions during the postpartum confinement period, but food choices should be made carefully. Consumption of iced watermelon, spicy duck neck, raw fish, undercooked green beans, strong tea, and similar foods is not recommended. Medication use must strictly follow medical instructions, and self-administration of drugs such as Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Tablets, Ibuprofen Sustained-release Capsules, Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets, Metronidazole Tablets, and Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets is not advised. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Food

1. Iced Watermelon

Due to its low temperature, iced watermelon may easily stimulate postpartum women's sensitive gastrointestinal tract, causing blood vessel constriction, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts. It may also affect lochia discharge and hinder gastrointestinal function recovery after childbirth, so it is not recommended.

2. Spicy Duck Neck

Spicy duck neck contains large amounts of spicy seasonings such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns and is often a processed, high-salt food. Spicy ingredients may irritate the digestive tract, potentially worsening postpartum inflammation, while excessive salt intake may affect fluid balance and delay postpartum recovery. Therefore, it should be avoided.

3. Raw Fish Slices

Raw fish slices are not heat-treated and may carry bacteria and parasites. Postpartum immunity is low, and consumption may lead to infections that threaten maternal health. Additionally, raw fish slices are cold in nature, which is not in line with the need for warming nourishment after childbirth, so they are not recommended.

4. Undercooked Green Beans

Undercooked green beans contain toxic substances such as saponin and phytohemagglutinin, which may cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms of poisoning. Since postpartum bodies are weak, poisoning could further burden the body and hinder recovery. Therefore, green beans must be thoroughly cooked before consumption; undercooked ones must never be eaten.

5. Strong Tea

Strong tea contains significant amounts of tannic acid, which can bind with iron in the body to form insoluble ferric tannate, impairing iron absorption and potentially worsening postpartum anemia. Meanwhile, caffeine in strong tea may stimulate the nervous system, causing insomnia and palpitations in mothers and possibly affecting newborns through breast milk. Thus, drinking strong tea is not recommended for the sake of maternal rest and infant health.

II. Medications

1. Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Tablets

This drug belongs to the quinolone class of antibiotics. These medications may affect cartilage development in newborns. If the mother is breastfeeding, the medication may enter the newborn's body through breast milk, posing risks. Additionally, there is no clear evidence of its safety during lactation, so self-administration is not recommended, and medical guidance is necessary.

2. Ibuprofen Sustained-release Capsules

Although they may be used short-term to relieve postpartum pain, long-term use may inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, affecting uterine contraction and lochia discharge. It may also damage the gastric mucosa, and since gastrointestinal function is weakened postpartum, gastrointestinal discomfort is more likely. Therefore, long-term self-use is not recommended.

3. Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets

This is an antihistamine drug with sedative effects. Mothers may experience drowsiness and fatigue after taking it, affecting their ability to care for the newborn. The drug may also pass into breast milk and affect the infant, causing drowsiness and reduced milk intake. Therefore, self-administration is not recommended.

4. Metronidazole Tablets

This drug can be excreted in breast milk. Newborns have weak drug metabolism ability, and intake may cause adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Moreover, the drug may affect maternal liver function. Since the postpartum body is in a recovery phase, liver function is already burdened, so self-administration is not recommended.

5. Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets

Aspirin has an antiplatelet aggregation effect. Taking it early postpartum may increase the risk of bleeding, affecting lochia hemostasis. If the mother is breastfeeding, the drug may also affect the infant's coagulation function through breast milk. Therefore, self-administration is not recommended; use should follow a doctor's evaluation.

In daily life, a light and warm diet should be maintained. Adequate rest is necessary to avoid fatigue, and a cheerful mood should be preserved. If any physical discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is required. All medications must be used under a doctor's guidance; self-medication must be avoided.