What diet should I follow after a C-section, and how do I manage postpartum constipation?

Moms recommend normal, nutritious home food in moderation with plenty of fibre and fluids - oats, fruits, leafy greens, nuts and traditional laddus - and warn against the extreme bland-food restrictions some families impose.

Community Answers from Moms(6)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   For the first 3-4 days you'll eat hospital food; after that, eat healthy home food in moderation with no extreme restrictions.

2. 2

   Add fibre to ease constipation - oats, leafy vegetables, bananas, coconut water, and enough fluids. Doctors often okay normal food plus bananas and coconut water for constipation.

3. 3

   Gond ka laddu and methi ka laddu are beneficial; have almonds and walnuts daily and leafy vegetables, and avoid spicy food.

4. 4

   Breastfeeding mothers should eat all nutritious homemade food and fruits since the baby gets nutrition through you - banana and makhana are good. Note makhana can sometimes cause constipation, so moderate it if you have pain passing stools.

5. 5

   You can have almost anything except extremely citric foods. Some moms avoided papaya and pineapple out of caution, though there's nothing concrete proving they cause issues.

6. 6

   Bland watery-food-only restrictions for 40+ days are not necessary; babies' tummy discomfort comes from their still-developing digestive system, not the mother's normal food. Follow your doctor over conflicting family advice.