What is food poisoning? What causes food poisoning? What are the sign and symptoms of food poisoning while breastfeeding? Are there any ways to treat food poisoning while breastfeeding? If you are stuck with these questions, scroll down for all the answers.
Food poisoning is nothing the condition that is caused because of foodborne infection. This mainly occurs due to eating or drinking contaminated food.
Well, in this article, you will get to know all about food positioning. You will also get to know the various ways to treat food poisoning while breastfeeding.
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is a foodborne illness that is caused when the baby consumes contaminated food.
As I said above that it mainly occurs due to eating or drinking the contaminated food. These foods are harmful to the body and can lead to other diseases.
The germs that cause food poisoning can include bacteria, viruses, fungus, parasites, etc.
As per the research, the condition occurs 1 to 24 hours after eating food. This can be caused by the toxins from bacteria in food when it is not cooked properly.
Especially the breastfeeding (R) mother should take care of it with respect to what food they are eating. Before eating, make sure of the freshness and hygiene of the food that you are consuming.
[Read: What to Feed A Child With A Stomach Bug]
What Causes Food Poisoning During Breastfeeding?
The major cause of food poisoning during breastfeeding is due to the food that the mother is consuming. It may be undercooked or contaminated without knowledge, thus enhancing the risks of food poisoning for the mother and the baby as well.
The contaminated food that contains toxins, bacteria, and a virus is the most primary cause behind the illness that leads to food poisoning during breastfeeding.
The bacteria and viruses like E Coli, salmonella, Listeria and as well as the rotavirus lead to food positioning.
This mainly occurs due to eating or drinking contaminated food. So take care of it before you consume anything.
Sign & Symptoms of Food Poisoning While Breastfeeding:
Here are a few food poisoning symptoms while breastfeeding that you can look out for.
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Blood in stool and vomits
- Dry mouth
[Read: Ways To Treat Sinus Infection While Breastfeeding]
How To Treat Food Poisoning while Breastfeeding?
The treatment for food poisoning while breastfeeding depends on the level of illness of the individual. The more severe the sign and symptoms are the stricter treatment the condition needs.
Some of the best forms of treatment include-
1. Replacement of Lost Fluid:
This is regarded as one of the best forms of treatment that work great in curing food poisoning while breastfeeding. You need to increase the intake of fluid in your body which will help you to get back the hydration and reduce the risk of infection from transmitting on to the baby.
The fluids and electrolytes that compose of the vitamins and minerals have a great and important impact on maintaining the balance of fluids in your body.
Excess amount of fluid helps to get rid of dehydration and keep the body hydrated.
2. Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are also another way to get rid of food poisoning while breastfeeding. Before taking any form of antibiotics, do make sure to talk to your doctor for the right one.
Sometimes antibiotics help a lot to keep the infection away from the baby. It also works great in killing bacteria and viruses in the stomach.
3. Hospitalization:
This situation comes when food poisoning become too serious to handle with the home remedies and general care. The sooner the treatment starts, the sooner you will get rid of food poisoning while breastfeeding.
Is It Safe To Breastfeed With Food Poisoning?
It is absolutely safe to continue breastfeeding with food poisoning. There is no form of bacteria, virus, and fungus in the breast so you can continue to feed your child.
As per the World Health Organization, it is said by the research that it is absolutely safe to breastfeed while you have food poisoning.
The breast milk contains antibodies that, as a result, help to protect the baby from getting the same illness (R). So, the simple answer to this question is yes.
How To Prevent Food Poisoning While Breastfeeding?
“Prevention is better than cure” this is a true proverb.
So, here are some of the ways that will help in preventing food poisoning in lactating mothers.
- When you cook food, make sure it is well cooked under the right temperature so that it kills all the bacteria in it and prevent food poisoning.
- Make sure your utensils and kitchen are clean before and after you prepare your food.
- Wash your hands properly before eating or touching the mouth.
- Always try to eat hygienic and fresh food and do undercook meat, egg, fish, chicken, etc.
- After eating food, do refrigerate the leftover food right away. Don’t keep them for a longer period of time at normal room temperature.
- Drink as much water as you can. Keeping your body hydrated helps along with following through the BRAT diet.
Food poisoning is a matter of concern sometimes, so you should not take it lightly. It lasts for 1 to 2 days and goes away with proper medication and food. I hope this article has given you a good amount of information about food poisoning and the ways to get rid of it with natural care.
