Guide to Creating Your Confinement Menu After C-Section

Congratulations on the addition of a sweet little angel to your family! Whether you are anticipating their arrival soon or have already welcomed them in your arms, the joy is surely indescribable. 

Juggling the many responsibilities that come with your child, it is easy to overlook yourself and neglect proper postnatal care. This should not be the case. While your newborn’s growth has to be monitored and promoted, your recovery should also be the top priority during this critical period.

C-Section Delivery

You would need to pay more attention especially if you have undergone C-section or caesarean delivery. C-section is the process of delivery in which a mom gives birth to a baby through an incision. If the mom is facing certain medical situations that can complicate or be compromised by vaginal delivery, then C-section will normally be recommended.

Due to the extensive procedure of c-section delivery, it may take some time for you to heal and before you feel like ‘yourself’ again – and that’s okay! In fact, do take as much time as you need to recover. This is why many mothers choose to follow the tradition of practising confinement so they can get ample rest throughout the whole period. One of the most important elements to focus on after the procedure is your confinement food menu. Make sure you are loading yourself up with sufficient energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Why Good Nutrition Is Necessary for Birth Delivery

● Good nutrition is the source of energy for a healthy body, and energy is very much needed post delivery.

● Good nutrition also keeps your body protected from diseases by improving your immunity.

● Better nutrition also helps in the better nourishment of babies. What you eat can be passed down to your little one through breast milk, so sticking with nutrient-dense foods can benefit not only you but also your breastfed baby.

● It helps to minimise the effects of lost energy and blood caused by pregnancy and labour. 

Healthy Food for Mom

When planning your confinement guide for daily meals after birth, one word you need to remember is: well-balanced. Each of your meal, especially lunch and dinner, should contain sources of carbohydrates, protein, iron, and essential vitamins that could help promote your birth recovery.

Apart from vegetables alone, fruits like guava, apple, and banana should be added to your daily meals because guava is the best source of Vitamin C and contains antioxidants that are desperately needed for your recovery and wound healing. 

Meanwhile, banana and apple provide energy in the form of carbohydrates and provide fibres essential for the body. They also help in ensuring smooth bowel movement and prevent constipation, which is the last thing a new mom would want to experience.

When it comes to staple, you have quite a lot of options. Don’t worry, you can stick with white rice or brown rice. Carbs will provide you with enough energy to recover and care for your child. This is especially important if you breastfeed because you can burn up to 500 calories at a time from breastfeeding.

Common Confinement Food 

• Almonds can be used in some snacks and in desserts, which is very tasty and devoured. 
• Garlic is one of the best ingredients you can have in your food. On top of the flavour it brings to the food, you can also reap various health benefits such as boosted immunity system and better blood pressure control.
• Seeds of cumin can be used as spices to regulate the circulation of blood and also contain calcium and iron. More importantly, if you are nursing, it also helps to increase milk production!
• Oats are one of the best and versatile sources of carbohydrates, proteins, iron, and fibres. They can be cooked with milk as well as water.
• Chicken, apart from fish, is an excellent source of protein and should be consumed to strengthen your muscles. Of course, it also provides energy to your body. Dishes like chicken soup after C section is very much recommended because it can also increase your fluid intake, preventing dehydration and constipation. 

• Pulses are a pure source of proteins and muscles need a proper supply of protein to heal and repair. So, if you are looking for a bigger variety of sources of protein, you can add this one to the list!
• Moringa leaves are a great source of Vitamin A, B, and C. It also contains iron and calcium. Green vegetables should be eaten because they can help strengthen the immune system to reduce the risks of certain diseases. So, these vegetables should be taken eaten regularly as highly recommended by the doctor. 

It’s easy to overlook your needs as a mom when you get so occupied with the presence of your baby in the house. However, you first need to prioritise your own health and recovery before you can tend to your baby. If you ever need to purchase goods for your maternity needs, do check out MumChecked for the best deals!